English Studies

In 2012, the Institute launched a new disciplinary MA program in English Studies. The objective of the two-year program is to acquaint students with a broadly defined concept of English literary culture, including its history, major trends, critical schools and, of course, its most representative works and authors. While holding a BA in English Studies and completing yet further foundational courses in the initial phases of the program are essential, students and instructors no longer just survey a given field, but instead aim at in-depth exploration. Therefore, detailed textual analysis with its associated historical dimension constitutes the core activity in class. Our choice of readings has been partly determined by the academic profile of the department and the religious mission of the University. As a result, the program places particular emphasis on Biblical and Christian traditions and explores, among other issues, the complex and continuing presence of the Bible within English literature. The foundation courses of the program also include linguistics and history, as well as courses on language use.