UCD Search

 

The MA in American Literature is a one-year postgraduate degree, which focuses on the literature of the United States of America. The aim of the MA is to enable students to engage with contemporary critical debates about the interpretation and contextualisation of American literature. The course offers seminar-style classes for the most part, and students are expected to present papers to the class and to participate in discussions. In addition, students are required to develop an independent research project—the dissertation. These elements of the course provide a framework of structured study in which students can gain the confidence to define and develop their own areas of interest, to learn and apply the conceptual and methodological skills necessary for postgraduate study, and to produce extended essays and a dissertation related to American Literature.

The United States of America is the source and object of many debates today. The literature associated with and drawn from it establishes as it reflects its complexity. The MA in American Literature seeks to examine a number of representative areas of American literary achievement, and courses will explore a broad range of approaches to the topic of America. From drama to poetry, from prose to fiction, we will investigate the exceptional qualities of American literature as we will seek to test such notions to introduce questions about identity and nationhood: America and transAmerica.

Four of the five modules deal specifically with topics directly related to America. In addition all MA students are required to complete the module on research methods, which provides basic training in the skills and methods of advanced-learning research.

1: Literary Research Methods                 

2: American Theatre: Structure and Strategies

3: Postmodern Writing

4: Contemporary American Fiction

5: Nineteenth-Century American Writing

6: Dissertation

Dr Ron Callan (Coordinator)

Modules may be assessed by essay, project work, or examination. The coursework for class-based modules accounts for 50 of the 90 credits required for the MA degree. The grade for the dissertation (15,000-20,000 words) accounts for the remaining 40 credits.

The final deadline for applications for this MA is usually 1st May. You are encouraged to apply early if your application, including the transcript of your degree results, is complete. Decisions on some places on the MA may be made prior to this final deadline. Applications received after the set deadline may not be considered.

American Literature

MA Courses