Overview

The BA (Hons) English Literature programme develops a broad understanding of literature across historical periods, genres, and critical perspectives. At Loughborough University, students are introduced to literary study while building the analytical and communication skills needed for informed engagement with texts and their contexts.

What You'll Learn

• English literary history from the Renaissance through modern and contemporary writing

• Poetry, prose, drama, fiction, and other literary forms

• Literary theory and different approaches to interpreting texts

• The development of literary canons and changing views of authors and genres

• Victorian literature, Renaissance writing, modernisms, and other significant periods

• Contemporary debates surrounding established and less-studied writers

• Connections between literature, society, politics, culture, and historical context

• Digital approaches to literature and the influence of digital forms on reading

• Opportunities to explore areas such as American literature, film, language, and creative writing

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will be able to critically interpret literary works using appropriate theoretical and contextual approaches. They will understand major developments in English literary history and recognise how genres, authors, and literary traditions have been shaped by changing cultural and historical circumstances. Students will also be able to compare texts from different periods and perspectives, assess debates surrounding literary value and the canon, and communicate reasoned interpretations clearly in academic work. Through developing their own areas of interest, they will gain greater independence in researching and evaluating literary topics.