Courses are available at the three undergraduate levels
- Introductory course
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English Linguistics
On the Introductory course, two courses explore several areas of linguistics. English Linguistics I covers areas such as language in social contexts, second language learning and analysing language in use. English Linguistics II focuses more on the structure of language, including the sounds system of English.
Academic Writing
Academic Writing classes on the Introductory course aim to improve students’ ability to write and speak in academic English with an emphasis on argumentative text composition. Among other things, you will study the effective use of language to engage and persuade readers, you will learn principles of organization that enable readers to follow your line of thinking easily and how to make appropriate choices about register, style and vocabulary.
Literature and Culture
The literature and culture elements of the course are designed to give you a detailed understanding of literary writing in English and of cultural phenomena and their meanings in English-speaking countries. Literature and culture are taught as related subjects, so information and skills studied on one module will in many cases be relevant for others. On the Introductory course, you will take the modules simultaneously. In ‘Literature in English’, you will study examples of fiction, poetry and drama in order to develop an understanding not only of English-language literature, but of the basic concepts necessary for literary study. In ‘English-Speaking Cultures’, meanwhile, you will consider concepts in cultural theory such as ‘ideology’ and ‘hegemony’ and apply them to topics defined by UNESCO’s principles for sustainable development. These include multiculturalism, gender, urbanisation and conflict.
- Intermediate
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English Linguistics
Modules on the Intermediate course focus on language history and grammatical analysis. The Language History module is designed to provide an understanding of how English has changed over 1500 years and the cultural, social and political background to those changes. The grammar course aims to increase students' ability to understand and discuss grammar at a theoretical level.
Academic Writing
This course at the Intermediate level is designed to improve students' ability to write and speak in academic English at an advanced level and to demonstrate a clear understanding of the conventions of academic English, developing skills such as critical reading skills, how to effectively use language to engage and persuade readers and editing strategies to ensure your writing is clear and concise.
Literature and Culture
On the Intermediate course, you will take a module which looks historically at the development of literature in English from the late middle ages to the nineteenth century. This study will help you to think about the relationship between the development of literary form and historical change, whilst giving you a more thorough understanding of British and American history. You will subsequently take a module which looks at literature as a cultural product in which we can see traces of power and politics. This section of the course will ask you to read texts to consider what they have to say about gender, class and ethnicity.
- In-depth
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English Linguistics
The In-depth course in linguistics only runs in the spring. Students take a course alongside Sussex students about language in context, and have some classes on linguistic theories and methodology to prepare them for the 8,000-word research essay. Supervision is available to support students throughout this project.
Literature and Culture
On the In-depth course you will attend a module in literary theory alongside students at the University of Sussex, as well as working on your close reading and critical skills in preparation for an 8,000-word research project on a topic of your choice. This project will be taught predominantly through one-to-one supervisions in which you will develop your ideas alongside your tutor.
Academic Writing
Modules for In-depth students focus on preparing a research proposal for the 8,000-word essay and the necessary requirements for all sections of this essay.