Studying Literature at the University of York

'... all shulde be assembled for to holde a parlement at Yorke'

(Malory)

The Department of English and Related Literature has a high reputation for both teaching and research. It was rated 'Excellent' in the recent national Teaching Quality Assessment (November 1994) and it received a top grade (5) in the national Research Assessment (January 1997).

We seek, as a Department, to integrate visiting students as fully as possible. Hence, all visiting students normally follow the same courses as British students and are taught in the same groups.

A suitable workload for visiting students in the Department of English and Related Literature is considered to be one module per term (a 'term' being equivalent to a 'quarter' in some American academic calendars). All our modules therefore carry forty credits (with the single exception of the German Preliminary course, which carries twelve credits). Most modules last one term of 10 weeks. There are two kinds of modules: 'period papers' and 'special papers' - 'paper' being our usual word for an individual module.

The courses:
A period paper provides for the study of the literature of a particular era through its major writers, its characteristic modes and its intellectual currents. It calls for the close reading of a fairly wide range of literary texts, together with some reading in the relevant social, political, philosophical or cultural contexts. Students are encouraged to read and think for themselves, and to formulate their thought effectively, both orally and in writing.

Students taking a period paper are allocated to teaching groups of about 12, and each group is taught by a member of staff who is known as its tutor. The group meets each week for a seminar discussion of up to two hours on an agreed text or topic. The discussion is usually initiated by one or two students. In addition, each student has 3 one-hour tutorials per term (with the tutor and, usually, two other students).

Comprehensive reading lists are issued as guides for each period paper. In addition, each tutorial group receives from its tutor a programme of reading and topics for seminars. Students write three essays in a term, on topics arrived at in consultation with their tutor. The tutor's role is to advise on the planning of each essay and comment on the finished work. Students are expected to read widely, to pursue their individual interests independently, and to participate collaboratively in tutorials and seminars.

The term's teaching for each period paper also includes a programme of lectures - usually three or four per week. These lectures (which may also take the form of colloquia or readings) are open to any student, regardless of the course that s/he may be taking. For the visiting student they provide a good opportunity to sample a wider range of subjects and become acquainted with the various special interests and approaches of the Department's teaching staff.

The usual method of assessment for visiting students taking period papers will be two essays (each of about 2,500 words), chosen from those written during the term. The University sends the assessment (and the tutor's report on the student's performance) to the home university upon completion of the student's period of study at York.

Special papers are less intensively taught than period papers. They provide opportunities for the concentrated study of a particular author or topic, and they call for more independent research on the part of the student. Most are taught by one member of staff, in the form of a single weekly seminar and three tutorials over the course of the term. For most the number of places available is limited, although at least one place is reserved for visiting students on each course. Assessment for visiting students taking special papers will be by a long essay of about 5,000 words, or by two short essays, or by a three-hour examination.

Visiting students who are spending two terms or more in the Department may, if they wish, include one special paper in their choice of courses (provided that places are available). However, in order to gain an adequate introduction to the Department's teaching methods, all visiting students are normally expected to choose a period paper in their first term.

Some special papers, and the Anglo-Saxon period paper, are taught over two terms. A visiting student choosing to take one of these would follow one full module, and the equivalent of a half module in the first term, and only the remaining half module in the second.

Note: Special papers are less intensively taught because students taking our full (3-year) degree-course are able to research their essays over an extended period of time. Hence we would normally not expect visiting students to take more than one of these courses.

Combinations of modules:
It is possible to take courses in more than one department of the university, subject to the approval of the departments concerned. It is often impossible to take courses in two departments in the same term, and this will usually be the case for the 40-credit modules in the Department of English and Related Literature. Visiting students who have not applied and been accepted for courses in this Department cannot (except through a special application) be admitted to its courses after their arrival in York.

Another special feature of York's Department of English and Related Literature is its close relationship with the Art History Department, which offers its own series of courses, focusing on the close study of works drawn from the rich heritage of art and architecture in York and its surroundings, as well as the cities and galleries of Great Britain and Europe. Visiting students who wish to take Art History courses should enter 'History of Art' as a separate option on their application form. A list of such courses is provided in the section on 'History of Art' in the University's 'Guide for Visiting Students', and full details are available on application to the Secretary, Dept of History of Art.

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