Comparative Literature and French-Spanish MA (Hons)

University of St Andrews

Comparative Literature - Comparative Literature at St Andrews gives you the chance to explore a range of literatures – Arabic, Persian, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish in English translation, as well as texts from the UK and US – allowing you to gain insight into the different cultural traditions, socio-political and historical forces that have helped to form national and transnational canons. A focus on close reading and an introduction to issues surrounding literary translation as well as comparative methodologies will develop your analytical, descriptive, and evaluative skills. You will have the opportunity to read, discuss, and present reasoned arguments, and work on writing with precision and clarity.

French - French will develop language and communications skills to a high level of proficiency. You will have the opportunity to engage with a number of specialist topics including French language, literature, culture, history, politics and film. During your third year, you have the opportunity to study abroad in France at one of the University’s Erasmus+ partners. Students who spend a year abroad not only gain valuable work experience as teachers and tutors, but also develop their linguistic skills, intercultural competence, and self-confidence.

Spanish – Spanish will develop language and communications skills to a high level of proficiency. You will be able to choose from a broad range of course options that reflect and explore the rich cultural heritage of Spain and Latin America, including: literature from the Golden Age to the present day, history, linguistics, film and translation.

Coursework is assessed in the course of the semester, and may have various purposes: an essay, for example, allows for mature reflection and relatively long, exploratory treatment of a question; a lab report demonstrates ability to summarise actions and draw effective analytical conclusions, while acquiring the discipline of systematic note-taking; a short class test may be used to check levels of understanding or knowledge. Group activities may be assessed: in this case marking methods will be communicated to you in advance.