This programme offers you the chance to study a range of theories in depth. It engages with modern literary theory, psychoanalytical theory, political theory and theories of visual and aesthetic experience. You reflect on these areas of thinking in themselves and as they relate to particular literary texts, to post-enlightenment philosophy and to other relevant areas of culture and experience. It is for those interested in writing, reading, language, art, the self, literature and discovering more about the relations between literature and philosophy. The MA in Critical Theory offers a choice of two core courses that survey a wide range of modern theoretical approaches and a range of taught options covering postcolonial theory, theories of art, modern approaches to comparative literature, deconstruction and a chance to work in depth on a single key theoretical text and the writings it refers to. This programme aims to: extend and deepen through coursework and research your understanding of modern literary and critical theory; study the reading-practices, analytic tools and vocabularies of modern critical thought; develop your independent critical thinking and judgement; introduce you to the research methods that facilitate advanced theoretical study of literature; provide a basis in knowledge and skills if you intend to teach critical theory, especially in higher education; develop your understanding and critical awareness of the expressive and analytical resources of language; offer scope for the study of critical theory within an interdisciplinary context, notably that provided by philosophy; develop your ability to argue a point of view with clarity and cogency, both orally and in written form; examine this writing in the wider context of literature, culture and philosophy; provide teaching which is informed by current research and scholarship and which requires you to engage with aspects of work at the frontiers of knowledge; develop your research skills to the point where you are ready to undertake a research degree, should you so wish. Many career paths can benefit from the writing and analytical skills that you develop as a postgraduate student in the School of English. Our students have gone on to work in academia, journalism, broadcasting and media, publishing, writing and teaching; as well as more general areas such as banking, marketing analysis and project management.