MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS
Arts Graduate Handbook 1996
Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
Caution
Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
The Faculty of Arts conducts research in five closely interconnected areas
concerned in one way or another with the study of `texts' and `textuality'.
These are comparative literature, critical theory, cultural studies, drama and
theatre studies, and English literature. They are taught in the Department of
English, the Centre for Drama and Theatre Studies within the Department of
English, and the Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies. The
department and centres are listed alphabetically below.
Comparative literature
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
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
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
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
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 and cultural theory. 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
Candidates in drama and theatre studies may enrol through the Department of
English for the degrees of PhD and MA by research only. 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.
| Details of subjects Part 2
| Arts Graduate handbook
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| Monash University