SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Faculty of Arts
THE UNIVERSIT Y OF OPPORTUNIT Y
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Faculty of Arts The Faculty of Arts is an exciting and vibrant place to be, where creativity and personal discovery go hand-in-hand with scholarship and academic endeavour. Whether your interest is Art and Design, Humanities, Media, or Performing Arts, each of our four Schools has a wide range of courses at postgraduate level, and you can look forward to studying in some inspirational surroundings using state-of-the-art technology. You’re welcome to contact us at any point if you’d like to talk more about our courses, or if you’re working on a research proposal to read for a PhD.
WOLVERHAMPTON SCHOOL OF ARTS EST. 1851 2
We live in a world that has been shaped by big ideas – cultural, philosophical and religious. At each stage, these ideas have been the site for challenge, contest and debate, and continue to be so.
The School of Humanities offers the following taught MA programmes: Computational Linguistics (MA), English (MA), Human Sciences (MRes), Practical Corpus Linguistics for ELT, Lexicography and Translation (MA), Popular Culture (MA) and Sikh Studies (MA). For those preferring a more independent mode of study, we also offer an MA by Research in Humanities. The School of Humanities is strongly committed to creating an environment in which you can nourish your aspirations, hone your thinking skills and realise your full potential. You can expect to receive extensive academic and personal support on our stimulating courses, enriched by the research and scholarship of our highly experienced academic staff. Full details of all courses and entry requirements can be found at: wlv.ac.uk/postgraduate
COURSES • Computational Linguistics (MA) • English (MA) • Human Sciences (MRes) • Humanities (MA by Research) • Practical Corpus Linguistics for ELT, Lexicography and Translation (MA) • Popular Culture (MA) • Sikh Studies (MA) • School of Humanities research degrees
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COMPUTATIONAL LINGUISTICS MA I would recommend this course to people interested in linguistics or languages in general to show them that linguistics can also be paired with computer science... I learnt how to use programming languages, which is of great importance nowadays if one wants to find a job. MARC DELHOTAL, MA LANGUAGE AND INFORMATION PROCESSING, (MA COMPUTATIONAL LINGUISTICS)
This course is aimed at students from linguistics, computational linguistics, translation, languages, computer science and mathematics backgrounds.
WHY WOLVERHAMPTON? Our modules teach students not only the theoretical basis of subjects but also practical, transferable skills such as programming and using tools related to language processing, necessary for working in industry as well as in academia. Modules are delivered by our Research Institute in Information and Language Processing (RIILP) and all staff are engaged in high-quality research.
FULL-TIME: 1 year
PART-TIME: 2 years
LOCATION: City Campus
START: Semester 1
HOW WILL THIS COURSE IMPROVE MY EMPLOYABILITY? On completion of this course, you will be well-placed to continue your academic/research career by applying for PhD positions within the RIILP or at other leading centres for language and information processing. This degree will also enable you to access research and development positions within the natural language processing and human language technology industry, as well as in related areas such as translation, software development and information and communication technologies, depending on your specific module choices and dissertation topic.
WHAT WILL I STUDY? The modules offered in this programme focus on different areas within language and information processing, ranging from computational linguistics and programming to translation tools. Modules include: • Computer Programming in Python • Corpus Linguistics in R • Machine Translation and Other Natural Language Processing Applications • Computational Linguistics • Translation Tools for Professional Translators • Machine Learning for Language Processing • Research Methods and Professional Skills
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? Assessment is through essays, reports, presentations, practical work and a final dissertation. There are no exams, but there is an in-class test for Python programming.
OTHER COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: • MA English • MRes Human Sciences • MA Practical Corpus Linguistics for ELT, Lexicography and Translation SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES 3
ENGLISH MA
FULL-TIME: 1 year
PART-TIME: 2 years
LOCATION: City Campus For Literature, the structure of this course involves a series of themed module pairs which focus upon one of the following: major authors from historical and contemporary periods; the intertextual relationships between genre, context and form; or enhancement of research and interpretive skills. For Language, you will focus on language structures, discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, language acquisition and skills.
I have only high praise for the English department at the University of Wolverhampton. Not only is their MA course engaging whilst covering a broad range of interests, they also bestowed upon me the belief that I could forge a career in academia despite not coming from a conventional background. Without them as individuals, and this course, I would not be where I am today. SAM FLEMMING, MA ENGLISH
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WHY WOLVERHAMPTON? We support you in making the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study with subject-specific coaching on the use and application of literary theories and academic conventions, and personal supervision of individual dissertations.
HOW WILL THIS COURSE IMPROVE MY EMPLOYABILITY?
START: Semester 1 or Semester 2
including a themed focus on literary genres, periods, authors and adaptations. It will enable you to: •p rovide evidence of a high level of independent thought and originality in the context of English studies •d emonstrate a capacity for high-order thinking with independent analysis, synthesis and scholarly engagement •d emonstrate an ability to contextualise and synthesise various methodologies and theories
This course offers continuing professional development for individuals engaged in professions such as teaching, journalism and careers within local government and the public sector. It enhances qualities such as sound critical judgement, good communication skills, personal responsibility and initiative within the professional environment.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
The course also provides a sound intellectual and stylistic platform for students to progress onto doctorate level study and a career in higher education.
• MA Computational Linguistics
WHAT WILL I STUDY? This course has distinctive strands for English Literature and English Language/Applied Linguistics,
• employ a thorough and sophisticated use of academic conventions and expressive style.
Essays, shorter applied analyses, and online exercises.
OTHER COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: • MA by Research in Humanities • MA Popular Culture
HUMAN SCIENCES MRes The emphasis of this course is the development of critical thinking skills and their application to concrete research problems and issues in the areas of social sciences and the humanities.
WHY WOLVERHAMPTON?
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
You will be taught by experts in their fields with extensive experience of research. Engaging with current critical discourse on methods and emerging trends ensures applicability of methods to a variety of research contexts.
The course consists of both taught and research elements. Modules include a broad base of academic subjects in humanities and social sciences and cover the philosophy and ethics of research, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and the application of computerised and virtual research techniques.
HOW WILL THIS COURSE IMPROVE MY EMPLOYABILITY? This course enables you to gain high-level research skills, equipping you for further study at MPhil and PhD level, or for a range of professional careers in the knowledge economy.
FULL-TIME:
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? The modules are generally assessed through extended pieces of writing appropriate to the subject matter.
OTHER COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: • MA English
1 year
• MA by Research in Humanities
PART-TIME:
• MA Popular Culture
2 years
LOCATION: City Campus
START: Semester 1
There was so much support provided to enable success in all of the modules. AMANDA JENKINS, MRES HUMAN SCIENCES
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HUMANITIES MA by Research
FULL-TIME: 1 year
PART-TIME: 2 years
LOCATION: City Campus
START: Semester 1 or Semester 2
This course offers an exciting opportunity for you to follow an area of your own academic interests under the supervision of published experts in their fields. You will be able to pursue topics across creative and professional writing, English literature, English language, linguistics, cultural heritage, philosophy and religious studies.
WHY WOLVERHAMPTON? We have published scholars across the full range of subject disciplines and offer opportunities to attend events and network with other students from across the Faculty of Arts, including those studying studio and digital art, theatre, music and performance.
HOW WILL THIS COURSE IMPROVE MY EMPLOYABILITY? This course provides an excellent preparatory pathway into doctoral research. The mode of study enables you to tailor your research towards your career pathway and combine it with your work schedule and other commitments.
WHAT WILL I STUDY? You will be invited to attend guest lectures, performances and field trips that constitute a vibrant student experience. Under guidance of your principal supervisor, you will write at least three extended non-assessed assignments, leading to a final, assessed portfolio.
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This course will enable you to demonstrate: •a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights • a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to your own research or advanced scholarship •o riginality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge •a n ability to critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship •a n ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? A 30,000 word extended research dissertation or portfolio of work which may include a viva voce examination.
OTHER COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: • MA English • MRes Human Sciences
PRACTICAL CORPUS LINGUISTICS FOR ELT, LEXICOGRAPHY AND TRANSLATION MA This course will give you a completely new insight into how language really works and the way people use words to create meaning.
FULL-TIME: 1 year
PART-TIME: 2 years
LOCATION: City Campus
START: Semester 1
WHY WOLVERHAMPTON?
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
If you would like to learn how to explore language using innovative techniques and computer tools, our course will offer you cutting-edge, research-led training of the highest quality, taught by leading researchers. You will develop interdisciplinary knowledge and practical, transferable skills, enabling you to meet the most recent and relevant demands from the fields of ELT/TESOL, Lexicography and Translation.
Typical modules include:
HOW WILL THIS COURSE IMPROVE MY EMPLOYABILITY?
Assessments will include writing assignments on given topics, reports on practical work, portfolios, projects, oral presentations, tests, and a 15,000word dissertation on a chosen topic.
You will be able to pursue a career path in language teaching, translation, lexicography, editing, and human language technology, working either as a freelancer or in a variety of industry locations, including publishing houses, translation agencies and IT companies that specialise in the development of language resources and tools. English language teachers will benefit greatly, as they will develop knowledge and skills in using modern lexical resources, data and tools in the preparation of teaching materials and in the classroom.
• Corpus Linguistics with R • Words, Meanings, and Linguistic Creativity • Lexicography: Theory and Practice • Using Corpus Data for ELT • Translation Tools for Professional Translators
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
OTHER COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: • MA Computational Linguistics • MA English
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POPULAR CULTURE MA
FULL-TIME: 1 year
PART-TIME: 2 years
LOCATION: City Campus
START: Semester 1 or Semester 2
This innovative course introduces you to advanced level study of various aspects of popular culture; principally produced and consumed in Britain since the late nineteenth century.
WHY WOLVERHAMPTON? This is one of only a small number of postgraduate courses in the world to focus principally on the British experience of popular culture, either as consumers of international culture, or through Britain’s unique contribution to youth and pop culture.
HOW WILL THIS COURSE IMPROVE MY EMPLOYABILITY? Skills and knowledge gained will be particularly relevant to archivists, curators, researchers, writers and journalists, librarians, and teachers of popular culture. This course encourages the development of more general personal and academic competencies, such as those required for effective information handling, analysis and presentation of findings, and offers a sound basis for doctoral research.
WHAT WILL I STUDY? You can study modules from a number of academic disciplines, including history,
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English, sociology, cultural studies, religious studies, and film studies. Typical modules include: •T heories and Concepts for the Analysis of Popular Culture •P opular Consumerism in Britain 1850-1939 •Y outh Subcultures and National Identity in Post-war England • Science Fiction and Fantasy •C rime of the Century – Murders and the Media •S creening Horror: Trauma, Fear and Fantasy in Film • I ndependent study project – we offer supervision in a wide range of areas
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? You will be assessed through coursework, essays and presentations.
OTHER COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: • MA Public Relations and Corporate Communication (School of Media)
SIKH STUDIES MA This course offers a unique opportunity to explore the Sikh community and the Sikh faith both in India and the diaspora, with a particular emphasis on the British Sikh perspective. The MA in Sikh Studies is designed to be an international model of good practice in community-based research relating to contemporary issues.
FULL-TIME: 1 year
PART-TIME: 2 years
LOCATION: City Campus
START: Semester 1
WHY WOLVERHAMPTON?
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
Wolverhampton is an ideal location to undertake the MA in Sikh Studies due to the high population of Sikhs in the city. The University has very strong links with the local and national community and has also become the home to the UK’s very first Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies. The University is committed to working with local communities and has extensive experience and links with the Sikh communities in Wolverhampton and nationally, along with increasing expertise in Sikh studies and research.
The MA in Sikh Studies provides a range of modules relating to both the Sikh faith as well as the Sikh community (the Panth) and will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate a systematic understanding of traditional, as well as current, insights in Sikh Studies.
HOW WILL THIS COURSE IMPROVE MY EMPLOYABILITY? You will acquire the skills to apply originality in the application of knowledge gained from research, field visits and guest lectures from leading researchers in Sikh Studies. A unique feature is the fieldwork you will carry out within the Sikh community itself; this can be with organisations or regional communities. This will enable you to demonstrate self-direction and originality whilst carrying out professional research within the community.
The curriculum will encourage you to explore the many viewpoints on particular topics such as gender equality, the philosophical teachings of Sikhi, as well as into current debates affecting the global Sikh community.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? Assessment will enable you to engage in a number of learning styles, from presentations to the writing of formal reports and traditional academic essays. The Research project assessment allows you to explore in depth a topic of your own choice.
OTHER COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: • MA English • MA by Research in Humanities • MA Popular Culture
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RESEARCH DEGREES Study with us
FULL-TIME: PhD: Up to 4 years MPhil: Up to 2 years
PART-TIME: PhD: Up to 8 years MPhil: Up to 4 years
LOCATION: Our research opportunities in the Faculty of Arts cover a wide range of research areas based on the specialisms of our staff. We structure study in a different way to many universities, which means you won’t find specific course pages, but can look through our research interests and see if your area of study would fit with the expertise of our staff. Once you have found a member of the Faculty you think could potentially supervise your research, please fill in our initial enquiry form and let us know what you would like to research. Find out more at: wlv.ac.uk/arts
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City Campus
START: Any time throughout the year
CENTRE FOR TRANSNATIONAL AND TRANSCULTURAL RESEARCH The Centre for Transnational and Transcultural Research (CTTR) is affiliated with faculties and Honorary Research Fellows based at universities in Bulgaria, France, Poland and Spain.
Members’ research includes:
Founded in 2010, the CTTR promotes multidisciplinary research around a core of research specialisms in English studies and comparative literature, European studies, linguistics, South Asian studies, religion, cultural heritage, and creative writing.
• a database project, British Travel Writing 1780-1840
• the ‘Xenographies’ project investigating representations of the foreign in literature, travel writing and other discourses
• a Leverhulme-funded investigation, Dalit Punjab Identity and Experience • an AHRC-funded public outreach project on fiction by British politicians. Other research ranges from Victorian literature and visual cultures to San folktales, to Czech ethnonyms and insider/outsider binaries in the study of religion. In all of this research is a concern with the permeable borders between experience, literature, culture, and peoples in the present and in the past.
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School of Humanities The Housman Building Camp Street Wolverhampton WV1 1AD Tel: +44 (0)1902 322 898 arts@wlv.ac.uk @WLV_Arts WLVArts wlv.ac.uk/arts
This Faculty booklet describes in outline the programmes offered by the University of Wolverhampton. These, as well as other details, are correct at the time of going to print. However, programmes and modules can be added or withdrawn without notice. Support offered and other details are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information and list of programmes currently offered, as well as campus tours, student case studies, and lots more useful information, please visit: wlv.ac.uk/postgraduate We regularly review our courses to ensure they reflect the needs of students and employers. Courses advertised ‘subject to approval’ have successfully completed the first stage of the approval process. We welcome applications for these courses. However, their full academic detail is subject to final approval and may change – in rare instances a course may not run. If you have applied for a course that is subject to approval, our Admissions team will keep you informed of any changes to the advertised course. By accepting an offer from the University of Wolverhampton, a legal contract is formed between you and the University. The University’s terms and conditions and the course-specifi c information provided at the time of your offer form the basis of this contract. Admissions terms and conditions (found at: wlv.ac.uk/admissions-terms-and-conditions) contain important information you must carefully read before accepting your offer. The University’s Policies and Regulations webpages at: wlv.ac.uk/polsandregs also contain important information about rights and responsibilities, including complaints procedures.