Comparative literature is the study of literature in ways which go beyond particular national or linguistic boundaries. In practice, comparative literary studies are of two main kinds: substantive studies of the literature of two or more languages or literary cultures; and generalising studies of the literary process itself, for example in literary history, the sociology or psychology of literature.
Critical theory is a term which has come to signify a whole series of contemporary approaches to textual and cultural criticism, for example hermeneutics, structuralism, semiotics, post-structuralism, theories of ideology, psychoanalytic theory, and so on. Such theories have been central to recent work in literary studies, theatre studies and cultural studies.
Cultural studies is the study of cultural texts not normally included in the `canon' of `high' literature, for example the texts of popular fiction, television or cinema; and of the various social and historical contexts within which such texts are produced.
Drama and theatre studies is the study of various kinds of performed texts and of the ways in which their performance is enacted. In practice, this area is concerned not only with drama, but also with many other aspects of theatre, for example dance and music.
English literature is the study of English-language literatures, in practice those of the British Isles, North America and Australasia. Particular strengths include pre-1800 literature, national literatures (American, Australian), genre studies (particularly drama), biography, women's studies, and bibliographical and textual criticism.
Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies
The centre offers an MA by research only and a PhD in comparative literature, cultural studies or critical theory, and an MA by research and coursework in critical theory or in cultural studies. Students intending to proceed to graduate research in comparative literature are normally required to read literary texts in the original language.
Centre for Drama and Theatre Studies
The centre offers graduate supervision leading to the degrees of PhD and MA by research only, though candidates are normally enrolled in the Department of English. Particular research strengths include Australian theatre, Asian theatre, performance theory and the semiotics of rehearsal and performance.
Department of English
The department offers an MA by research only and a PhD across a wide range of literary, cultural and theoretical studies, including drama and theatre studies, and an MA in English by research and coursework.
Doctor of Philosophy
The degree of PhD is taken by the submission of a 60,000 to 90,000-word thesis on a topic approved by the head of the department or director of centre. Students enrolled in the first instance for an MA may be permitted to transfer to PhD if their subject and their progress warrant this. Graduate students enrolled for the PhD are expected to participate in department or centre research seminars.
Entry requirements
Students seeking entry to the PhD should normally have an MA or first or second class division A honours degree in an appropriate discipline.
Master of Arts by research only
The degree of Master of Arts by research only is taken by the submission of a 40,000 to 60,000-word thesis on a topic approved by the head of department or director of centre. Graduate students enrolled for the MA are expected to participate in department or centre research seminars. Candidates may be required to attend an oral or written examination on the subject of the thesis or closely related matters.
Entry requirements
Students seeking entry to the MA by research only should normally have a first class honours degree or a second class, division A honours degree in an appropriate discipline.
Master of Arts by research and coursework
Part I of the degree of Master of Arts by research and coursework consists of four twelve-point coursework subjects. Part II consists of two eight-point coursework subjects and a 25,000 to 30,000-word (66 per cent) research thesis. All MA coursework subjects are offered subject to sufficient student numbers.
Entry requirements
Candidates for admission to Part I should normally have attained results of at least credit standard in the third part of a major sequence in a pass degree in an appropriate discipline. Candidates must attain credit results in Part I before proceeding to Part II. Candidates for direct admission to Part II should normally have a first class honours degree or second class division A honours degree in an appropriate discipline.