Course information

Course highlights

• The programme draws on the literary and linguistic expertise of the School of Modern Languages as well as on perspectives of related academic disciplines of critical theory.
  
• Students may choose to specialise in Arabic, French, Italian, German, Spanish or Russian.
• Students receive training in traditional and new research techniques and have the opportunity to broaden their language portfolios.

Teaching format

The MLitt/MPhil in Cultural Identity Studies is a one-year taught programme run by the Institute of European and Cultural Identity Studies (IECIS), part of the School of Modern Languages. The programme explores the contemporary problem of collective identities as modelled by and expressed in national culture.

The taught portion of the course consists of four compulsory modules and a range of optional modules held over two semesters. Classes are delivered through a mixture of lectures (with around 20 students) and seminars (which vary from individual one-to-one teaching up to ten students). Modules are assessed through coursework; there are no final exams for this programme.

You will spend the summer months focusing on researching and writing a final dissertation of no more than 15,000 words.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

Each module typically comprises:

• 1.5 to 2-hour weekly seminars and lectures
• 100% coursework assessment.

For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue.

Compulsory modules

• Literary and Cultural Theory 1: explores a range of literary and cultural theories through which texts of all sorts may be conceptualised, criticised and analysed.
• Problems of Culture and Identity 1: aims to introduce major aspects and dimensions of the question of cultural identity.
• Problems of Culture and Identity 2: aims to explore further major aspects and dimensions of cultural identity.
• Research and Professional Skills: introduces students to a range of skills which are essential to advanced researchers and key to many other non-academic workplaces.

Optional modules

This is a sample of the optional modules available for Cultural Identity Studies. Optional modules are subject to change each year, and attendance may be limited (see the University’s position on curriculum development).

• Literary and Cultural Theory 1
• Literary and Cultural Theory 2
• Middle Eastern Literary Cultural Contexts
• Specialised Research in Middle Eastern Literatures and Cultures, French Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Russian Studies or Spanish and Latin American Studies
• Apples and Oranges: Issues in Comparative Literature
• The Contemporary Canon: Why Books Sell
• French Literary Revolutions
• German Literary and Cultural Contexts
• Italian Literary and Cultural Contexts
• Research and Professional Skills
• Problems of Culture and Identity 1
• Problems of Culture and Identity 2
• Europe and America: Dialogues and Identity Formation in Text, Film and Theory
• Generations in Russian Literature and Culture
• Patterns in Hispanic Literature and Film

The modules listed ran in the academic year 2015-2016 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2016 entry.

Take a look at the most up to date modules in the module catalogue.

Dissertation

Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on an agreed topic and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of a MLitt.

Conferences and events

The Institute of European and Cultural Identity Studies (IECIS) is a centre for the study of collective identities represented, expressed and modelled in the national cultures of the countries of continental Europe. They provide a forum for high-level research into cultural identity along with international conferences.

The School of Modern Languages hosts an annual seminar programme which promotes integration across the language departments. In addition, the School hosts a number of conferences and events, including guest speakers and workshops for the discussion of ideas and issues in a thought-provoking but relaxed and supportive environment. 

Find out more about current postgraduate seminars. 

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).