Literary Studies (MA)

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1 Literary Studies (MA) Master Discover the world at Leiden University Type Language City Master English Leiden Specialisations English Literature and Culture (MA) Literature in Society. Europe and Beyond (MA) French Literature and Culture (MA) German Literature and Culture (MA) Italian Literature and Culture (MA) The MA Literary Studies at Leiden University offers you a specialised qualification in one of four languages and cultures or a comparative perspective on literature and culture, with each programme offering considerable scope for individual customisation. 1

2 Customise your degree We believe that freedom plays an important role in unlocking potential. The master s programme in Literary Studies has a high degree of flexibility to enable you to tailor the programme to your particular interests. Your curriculum could include a single or combined major and electives from other specialisations even other master s programmes. You are also free to go abroad for a specific university course or an internship in order to deepen or widen your focus. Small classes and an individual approach Academics from the renowned Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) teach the master s programme in Literary Studies. This means that every class you attend is taught by scholars of international standing who are true experts in their fields. Small, interactive classes or one-on-one mentoring ensure you get the most from their expert guidance and advice. An important objective is to teach you the value of questioning: you will acquire a broad, investigative and critical approach to problem solving that can be applied to any challenge in any role. Why Leiden University Leiden University offers students a rich environment in which to reach their potential. The right location to study Literary Studies Leiden University's Faculty of Humanities is consistently ranked among the top 30 Humanities faculties worldwide in the THE World University Ranking. At Leiden University, the oldest university in The Netherlands, you can access the best teaching staff, the latest research, and a wealth of resources found nowhere else in the world. With Leiden s world famous collections of original manuscripts and periodicals, you have literature at your fingertips. Research expertise The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) is a leading European centre for research and teaching in languages, literature, art and culture. The Master s programme 2

3 in Literary Studies makes full use of the centre s academic range, with a high-level of individual supervision and the flexibility to customise programmes that is to the benefit of all students. Preparing your career Our reputation means that your qualification is respected by organisations worldwide. Our graduates enjoy successful careers thanks to their broad and global mind-sets, specialised and in-depth knowledge, and strong critical-thinking skills. Our graduates are equipped to solve the challenges facing society now and in the future. The Leiden Experience About the programme Learn the newest insights from established scholars. The master s programme in Literary Studies offers five specialisations. The language specialisations offer a vast range of subject areas from Medieval to 21 century literature, whereas Literature in Society focuses on modern and contemporary literature and culture. You will have the opportunity to customise your degree by including electives from other specialisations and master s programmes, or by taking an internship or a course at a university abroad. st The master s programme in Literary Studies is a one-year full-time programme taught across two semesters. It comprises compulsory courses, elective courses, and the writing of an MA thesis. For detailed information about the curriculum, please check the specialisations. Lectures Seminars Tutorials Self-study Internship options 3

4 Exams Peer feedback and assessment Essays and reports Oral presentations Final thesis Anthonya Visser Professor of German Language and Literature Literary Studies at Leiden University is unique primarily because of its interdisciplinary nature. Students are invited to choose their own specialisation, such as an approach to a specific issue or a particular topic. Literature in society "The purpose of the programme is to enable students to independently assess the function of literature in society and to analyse it in relation to other art forms, as well as to relevant topics within politics, religion, science and technology, law and justice, and so on." Yra van Dijk Professor of Dutch Literature in a Global Perspective "In the MA, students arrive on another level, where they take themselves and their academic work more seriously. At that point, it motivates them (and myself) to explore together what the study of literature can bring them, as much as what they can bring to Literary Studies. Finding your discipline and deepening your knowledge is an amazing process of self-discovery, personally and professionaly." Ambitions "To prepare students for the job market, we have an ongoing conversation about what lays ahead. Once students really know their ambitions, I can bring them in contact with my network in the field of journalism, literature and in the academy, in order to find positions from editor at a Publishing House to PhDpositions." 4

5 Critical thinkers "I turn my students into critical thinkers by letting them read crucial texts and taking time to discuss them together, asking them to weekly write essays with feedback. Most of all: they learn to critically analyse and interpret literary texts as being revelatory of the most painful truths in society." Mirjam de Baar Vice-dean Time has taught us that solutions to social problems do not lie in technology, but in human potential. Technological solutions are essential, but so is the significance people attribute to this information through culture or language. Experience shows us that research within the humanities and social sciences often provides these solutions. This is why the research conducted by our humanities faculty is so highly relevant and important. I am very proud of the fact that Leiden University s Faculty of Humanities is one of the world s leading faculties in the field. Broad and relevant research: One of this faculty s strengths is how incredibly broad it is. We conduct a wealth of relevant research in so many different fields and disciplines. We have egyptologists working on excavation sites in Saqqara and the Dakhla Oasis. We have linguists who are documenting, for the first time, languages that are spoken by vast numbers of people in the world today; others creating computer simulations of language acquisition by the brain. The extent and variety of the activity going on is tremendous. A stimulating environment When you join Leiden s Faculty of Humanities you are joining a community of passionate, stimulated and ambitious students and staff from all over the world. Our academic environment is known for being conducive to interaction between individuals of all standing: at Leiden even the most junior researcher is treated as a valuable member of the community with important opinions to share. You also gain access to truly unique resources found nowhere else in the world, such as our famous collections at the University Library. Our lecturers and support staff are committed to your success, both now and in the 5

6 future, and offer you the tools needed to develop into a critically-minded professional who can truly make a difference to the world. Research and academic rigour All courses are taught by academics who are active researchers. Content is regularly updated to reflect research conducted by lecturers on the programme. The academically-rigorous design of the programme aims to develop in you essential skills in reasoning and critical thinking. An important focus of this programme is teaching you how to independently conduct scientific research and develop this data into a master's thesis. Extra-curricular Community-building A few times a year, activities are organised by the programme to encourage community building. Examples include the annual session where alumni are being interviewed about their careers and the information session about internships, specifically tailored to students of the master in Literary Studies. Moreover, the student associations of the German, English, French and Italian departments regularly organise cultural and social activities. Masterlanguage As a literature student, you will be able to take optional courses via Masterlanguage, a national network of courses for language and literature students. The network offers courses in German, English, French, Italian, Classics (Greek and Latin) and Dutch literature and culture. All courses are taught in the language of instruction (German, English, French or Italian) and take place at one of the participating universities in The Netherlands. For more information, please visit the Masterlanguage website (in Dutch). Leiden Leadership Programme Are you interested in developing your leadership potential? The Leiden Leadership Programme (LLP) is an Honours Programme specifically developed for ambitious master's students at Leiden University and the Delft University of Technology who recognise the 6

7 importance of leadership abilities. The LLP offers in-depth training sessions, assessments, seminars, and the creation of a Personal Leadership Roadmap a five-year plan for reaching and developing your leadership potential. Study at the Academy of Creative and Performing Arts The Academy of the Creative and Performing Arts (ACPA) is a research institute and part of the Faculty of Humanities. The ACPA offers education such as electives, and talent programmes such as the Practicum Artium (PA), which gives you the opportunity to study Photography, Graphic Design or Drawing, and the Practicum Musicae at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, where you can study classical music, singing, early music or jazz. Find out more about ACPA. Career prospects Create new opportunities with a master's degree from Leiden University. The master s programme in Literary Studies prepares you for a wide range of careers in which specialised knowledge of a language and culture and advanced academic skills are highly valued. Our graduates are currently pursuing successful careers in publishing, translation, communications, editing, education, journalism, advertising and marketing, teaching and research. A few examples of positions held by our graduates : Account executive at a communications agency Policy officer at The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science English/French/German/Italian teacher at a university of professional education English/French/German teacher at a secondary school Junior information specialist at an association of civil-law notaries Project officer for subtitling at a company specialising in media translations PhD researcher at a Dutch or foreign university Project manager at a translation and interpreting agency Publishing assistant at a legal publishing house Copywriter at a software and consultancy company Content manager and communications advisor at a multinational accountancy firm Teacher qualification 7

8 If you are interested in a career in teaching, you can apply for the Dutch-taught teachertraining MA at the ICLON Graduate School of Education after graduating from the master s programme. To be admitted, you need to have a master s degree in the relevant discipline. Fluency in Dutch is mandatory, and additional entry requirements may apply. A Leiden University degree Leiden University master's graduates are sought-after employees at (inter)national organisations. Our graduates are known for their combination of robust academic training, in-depth and relevant knowledge, and critical, multidisciplinary approach to problemsolving. Laura den Boer Graduated in French Literature and Culture (MA Literary Studies) "I very much enjoyed doing the Master s in French Literature and Culture of the Literary Studies degree programme. I chose this master s because the selection of subjects on offer appealed to me enormously." Personal "I took the master s together with a small group of students, which encouraged me to take an active role in the tutorial discussions. Taking part in the discussions helped to improve my French oral skills, as well as giving me personal contact with the teachers." A teaching position "After my master s I am going to work in Lille for 6 months, where I will be a language assistant in a secondary school, helping French pupils with their Dutch. After those 6 months I plan to do the Educational Master s in French Literature and Culture, which will afterwards hopefully provide me with a teaching position in a Dutch secondary school, in which I will be able to apply the knowledge I have gained during my French studies. In all, the degree programme at Leiden has given me a superb grounding for a job in education, because studying the many and varied subjects allowed me to acquire interesting and in-depth knowledge." 8

9 Career preparation Our goal is to prepare you for your future career. Knowledge and Skills With the skills and knowledge you have gained during your Master s programme at Leiden University you will be able to work in a range of professional and academic careers. These include highly sought after skills such as: to think critically; the ability to write well; to organise your work and meet tight deadlines; to convey meaning precisely; to research and thoroughly analyse literary and academical texts; to critically use literary and cultural theory. The Master s programme in Literary Studies at Leiden University aims to equip you with these important skills and knowledge that will help you thrive in your future career. Your specialised knowledge is complemented by a strong, critical-thinking approach to problemsolving that can be applied to even the most complex conceptual problems. Relevant professional skills and experience Every student is encouraged to apply what they learn in a professional, practical or foreign situation in preparation for their future career. This might include studying abroad, working as an intern at an organisation in the Netherlands or abroad, or getting involved in extracurricular activities. These experiences are valued by recruiters, as are strong communication skills. In class, every student is invited to participate in discussions, learning how to confidently articulate their ideas. Internships Some of our students choose to do an internship during their study. Internships are a great way to gain indispensable firsthand experience in your area of interest before you decide on making it a career. In recent years students from the Master s programme in Literary Studies have been doing internships at the following organisations: 9

10 Royal Library The Hague, Koopman Collection Dutch Embassy in Paris/ Cultural Section Royal Brill Editions, Leiden Humanities Career Service Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at Humanities Career Service provide all Leiden University humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV. Humanities Career Event Once a year, the Faculty of Humanities organises a Humanities Careers Event. This event is your chance to learn everything you can about how to find the job you want and successfully attain it. The event includes workshops on a wide range of topics and opportunities to network with alumni and potential employers, gaining valuable tips, information and potential job leads. Check out the video of the Humanities Career Event 2017! <!--cke_bookmark_8860s--& gt;<!--cke_bookmark_8860e--& amp;gt; Admission and Application We invite motivated students from around the world to apply for the Master of Arts in Literary Studies. Admission requirements may vary per specialisation, please visit the specialisation of your interest to find out more about the entry requirements. English Literature and Culture French Literature and Culture German Literature and Culture Italian Literature and Culture Literature in Society. Europe and Beyond Student life 10

11 Student life Your time at Leiden is about more than just studying. Some of your best experiences will stem from being a part of our lively and diverse student community, as well as from life in the beautiful city of Leiden. Life in Leiden Picturesque and the perfect size, Leiden is an idyllic place to spend your university days. With the Faculty of Humanities located within the heart of the city, you will soon become familiar with the dozens of cafes, shops and bars that line Leiden's leafy canals, as well as its year-round cultural events. The major cities of The Hague and Amsterdam are a short train ride away, along with Schiphol Airport, which is just half an hour away by train. Our study and student associations organise a huge variety of social, cultural, and study events to keep you busy all year round. You can also join the University Sports Centre, which offers scheduled group sports and fitness classes, amongst other activities. Welcome and orientation programme In August and February each year, Leiden University hosts the English-language Orientation Week Leiden (OWL), which welcomes both international and Dutch students. The OWL is an excellent way to get to know Leiden University, the city, and other students. Study associations Leiden University s Faculty of Humanities has a number of study associations run by students and related to a particular department or programme. Study associations organise social activities such as informal gatherings, sports events, and parties, as well as studyrelated activities such as excursions and study trips. The study associations related to Literary Studies are: Albion Association for English Literature and Culture. Contact via albionesque@gmail.com. Gibalaux for French Literature and Culture. Contact via gibalaux@let.leidenuniv.nl. Le Tre Corone for Italian Literature and Culture. Contact via letrecorone@hum. leidenuniv.nl. S!MP for German Literature and Culture. Contact via simp.leiden@gmail.com. International Student Associations 11

12 Leiden has several student organisations that specifically cater for international students. These associations organise regular social events and activities that help create the strong sense of community that exists within our international student body. The main two organisations are: International Student Network (ISN) ISN Leiden is an international student organisation which hosts a range of activities and programmes. They also have a buddy programme which provides new students with the right support to assimilate into Leiden and the university. AEGEE Leiden AEGEE is a leading European student association with sister organisations in over 40 countries across Europe. AEGEE organises many activities in Leiden, from dinners and pool nights to boat trips and guest lectures. For an overview of all of our student associations, please visit our Student assocations page. Humanities Master s Buddy Programme The Humanities Master s Buddy Programme has been set up by the Faculty of Humanities to help all students who are new to the university to integrate quickly and easily into university life. Through the programme you will learn everything you need to know about the university, the student community, and the practical side of life in Leiden. Information activities Come and meet us at the Leiden University Master s Open Day! About our Master s Open Day Are you thinking about joining a master s programme at Leiden University? Come and visit our Master s Open Day! This event is your opportunity to learn everything you need to know about our master s programmes and how they can help you reach your goals. You will have the opportunity to attend presentations, meet our lecturers, and hear first-hand experiences of life at Leiden University from students and alumni. 12

13 Jelle and Rick: The main reasons we re visiting the Master s Open Day is to talk to students and recent alumni. The website gives you a lot of information, but talking to students gives us a much better idea of what it s really like to study this degree. 13

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15 Sophie: I came to the Master s Day because I have some questions that I couldn t find answers to via the site. In my bachelor s I am already specialising in North America, so this master s is a good match. And next year, in the first semester, I ll be going to Boston! 15

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17 Luuk: Today I want to find out what it s like to be doing a master s, and what the real focus of the programme is. I ve just been looking at International Relations, because I really like the dynamics of the programme. It focuses on current events, and I m particularly impressed with the international aspects of the master s, which I feel give it more weight. 17

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19 Nino and Elias: Nino: I m now doing a bachelor s in Assyriology, and I may want to do a master s in it too. We ve heard that studying here is real fun. We re from Italy but we love Holland and the Dutch. 19

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21 Dennis: Studying: pre-master s in Dutch Literature (Vrije Universiteit), master s in Philosophy (University of Amsterdam) Interested in: Literary Studies, Dutch Studies, Comparative Literature and Literary Theory Contact If you have a question, there are various ways to get in touch with us. The website and our Frequently Asked Questions are the quickest ways to find an answer to your questions. Questions about the Programme Coordinator of studies Jurjen Donkers Phone: +31 (0) j.donkers@hum.leidenuniv.nl Questions about the application procedure Student Affairs Front Office Phone: +31 (0) Contact form Or visit their website Visiting address Leiden: Plexus Student Centre Kaiserstraat 25, ground floor 2311 GN Leiden Monday till Friday between and 16.00, Tuesday to