Comparative Literature
Bachelor's degree
In London
Description
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Type
Bachelor's degree
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Location
London
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
A-level
International Baccalaureate
Access to HE Diploma
Cambridge Pre-U
BTEC Extended Diploma
BTEC Diploma
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma
European Baccalaureate
International Students
Required grades
AAB
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A-levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer.
Required subjects
English Literature or English Language & Literature (A-level)
Plus a GCSE in a Modern or Ancient Language at grade 6/B (or equivalent)
Preferred subjects
Modern or Ancient language
Further information and other requirements
All candidates must have obtained GCSE grade 6/B in a Modern or Ancient Language
A-level AAB
Including English Literature (or English Language and Literature) at grade A
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A-levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer.
Access to HE Diploma
D: 33 credits
M: 12 credits
P: 0 credits
Including Level 3 credits in English Literature (or English Language and Literature)
Access to HE Diploma (for example, in Humanities) with 45 Level 3 credits: 33 must be from units awarded at Distinction, with the remaining Level 3 credits at Merit.
Cambridge Pre-U D3 D3 M2
Including D3 in English Literature.
Combinations of Pre-U principal subjects and other qualifications (such as A-levels).
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
Reviews
Subjects
- Critical Thinking
- Comparative Literature
- Humanities
- University
- Global
- International
- English
- Credit
- Access
- English Language
Course programme
Course detail Description
Comparative Literature is the study of the similarities and differences between literature written in different places and at different times. The Comparative Literature BA degree is a three-year study course that comprises modules totalling 360 credits. Each year, you will take modules totalling 120 credits, with enough variety in the range of optional modules to allow you explore the comparative aspects of literary themes, genres, and historical periods of your choice. Your first year of study will consist of modules covering conceptions, methods and theoretical foundations of Comparative Literature. This will provide you with a rounded introduction to the subject, develop your analytical skills and introduce you to advanced historical theory and methodology. You will cover a range of optional modules that will reflect your study interests.
In the second and third years, you will study further required and optional modules, allowing you to explore in-depth your chosen research pathway. The optional modules you study will reflect the current research and expertise of staff in the department, providing you with the opportunity to study specialist subjects in-depth. You will also have the opportunity to study abroad in the first semester of the third year.
Students in year three have the opportunity to study abroad with one of our partners in the USA, Italy, Hong Kong, Australia, Germany or France.
TeachingWe use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the programme. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. You will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide support and guidance for your studies.
Typically, 1 credit equates to 10 hours of work.
AssessmentAssessment methods will depend on the modules you have selected to study. The primary methods of assessment for this course may typically include coursework, assessed essays, written examinations and individual and group presentations.
LocationThe majority of learning for this degree takes place at the King’s College London Strand Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.
Read more
Structure
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Year 1 Required Modules
You are required to take the following modules:
- What is Comparative Literature? Conceptions & Methods (15 credits)
- The Writer in the Text (15 credits)
- Comparative Literature: Theoretical Foundations (15 credits)
- Genres of World Literature (15 credits)
You are also required to take modules totalling at least 15 credits that require the use of another language, including language study at the Modern Language Centre (MLC) or an approved modern languages module. A list of approved modules is updated by the department each year.
Optional ModulesYou are also required to take Comparative Literature modules totalling 30 credits from a selection that may typically include:
- Forms of Shorter Narrative (15 credits)
- The Novel in 18th Century Europe (15 credits)
- Reading Modern Poetry Comparatively (15 credits)
Additionally, you are required to select a further 30 credits of modules from Comparative Literature or optional modules from within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities.
Year 2 Required Modules
You are required to take the following modules:
- Literature of Empire (15 credits)
- Ideas of Nation (15 credits)
- The Book in the Modern World (15 credits) or The Canon (15 credits)
You are also required to take modules totalling at least 15 credits that require the use of another language, including language study at the Modern Language Centre (MLC) or an approved modern languages module.
Optional ModulesYou are required to study three further 15-credit Comparative Literature modules from a selection which may typically include:
- Romantic Britain & Italy (15 credits)
- Writing Africa (15 credits)
- Caribbean Drama (15 credits)
- Socialism & Literature in India in the Twentieth Century (15 credits)
- Palestinian & Israeli Literature (15 credits)
- The Faust Tradition: Dramatic Transformations (15 credits)
Additionally, you are required to select a further 30 credits of modules from Comparative Literature or optional modules within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities.
Year 3 Required Modules
You are required to take the following module:
- Dissertation (30 credits)
The dissertation module requires the use of another language. This module satisfies the language requirement in Year 3.
Optional ModulesYou are also required to study a further three 15-credit Comparative Literature modules from a selection that may typically include:
- Surrealism (15 credits)
- Imaginary Geographies (15 credits)
- The French Revolution Effect (15 credits)
- Testimony: The Holocaust & Rwanda (15 credits)
- Listening across the Channel (15 credits)
- Modern Arabic Literature (15 credits)
You are also required to select further credits from Comparative Literature topics or from optional modules within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities (approved by the Comparative Literature Teaching Committee) to bring your total for the year to 120 credits.
You will have the opportunity to study abroad in the first semester of the third year. Partner universities currently include:
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Hong Kong University
- University of Bologna (Italian language required)
- University of Sydney
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (German language required – this is a German department exchange which Comparative Literature students can access where space is available)
- Université Paris-Sorbonne (French language required – this is a French Department exchange which Comparative Literature students can access where space is available)
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis in order to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. The optional modules offered may therefore change.
Comparative Literature