Overview

Throughout history and into today’s world, literature has been censored, employed as government propaganda, and used for political protest. The same is true for culture more broadly – think of the way music, film, television and digital media have been used to support campaigns or to exercise power. The links between culture, literature and politics do not end with these examples. Literature often reflects and incorporates world events; it comments on the way we live. In turn, cultural policy and other aspects of government activity create the conditions in which literature is written, published and read. This unique and distinctive course allows you to bring together the different worlds of culture, literature and politics, and to study them separately and together. It enables you to learn about politics and about literature, but also to explore the connections between the two.

About This Course

This degree, taught jointly with UEA’s world-renowned School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing, allows you to combine the study of literature with politics and culture. You’ll have a great deal of choice in what you study, building a degree that closely reflects your own interests and questions. At the same time, you will develop a range of analytical and practical skills that will serve you in a wide range of future careers. Whether your interest is in Shakespeare or post-colonial literature, whether it is the literature of Germany, Russia or the United States, there will be modules that allow you to develop your knowledge and understanding. The choices you have goes from the modern day to the medieval period. They cover poetry, fiction, autobiography and more. They also combine literature with issues of human rights, political satire, and feminist politics. And you’ll have the chance to study topics such as music and comics as well. You will study the way politics links with the worlds of culture and literature, through modules on popular culture, identity and gender. You’ll also learn about the broader political context, through the study of political ideas and processes. This course spans several disciplines and subject areas. It makes considerable demands of you, but your efforts will be rewarded in the range of knowledge, understanding and skills you will acquire over your three years.