School Of English.
BA in English & Theatre Wide-ranging, flexible and rewarding, English Our English & Theatre Degree Literature degrees at Sheffield foster your Our Single Honours Degree in English & On this programme, in each semester, you Theatre is aimed at those who are passionate will take one core (compulsory) module in about both subjects. While students taking English, and one in Theatre, and then choose love of literature, film, theatre and beyond, only English can still choose to take an a third module in either discipline (or, indeed, individual theatre module or two, those from elsewhere in the University). This means developing your critical and ethical thinking, on the English & Theatre course take a that you could opt to balance your overall dedicated series of studio-based and co- degree equally between English and Theatre, and inspiring your creative imagination. ordinated practical modules (not available to or alternatively, do two thirds of your work in other students) in which you will encounter one subject, and one third in the other. an extremely rich and challenging range We are incredibly proud of the students we of texts, practitioners, forms of theatre and approaches to theatre-making which have educated, and of our internationally will allow you to develop your creative, esteemed, civic-minded university. imaginative and intellectual skills.
What our students say “I’ve made great friends, studied something I love in the way I want to study it, in a department which supports me, and had a pretty good time along the way.” “Overall, I would say my studies have completely changed me. When I started here, I was shy and lacking confidence in my abilities. I feel I have blossomed into a more vocal and competent communicator. If I were to recommend this course and University to anybody, I’d do it with honesty and passion, as I feel it has nurtured me as an individual.” “Lecturers are fantastic: passionate, eloquent and inspiring.” “Innovative teaching, excellent resources and varied assessment methods make the course extremely diverse. The support networks that are in place, such as the personal tutor scheme and office hours, help you to reflect upon your learning and progress.”
Page 2 BA in English & Theatre BA in English & Theatre Page 3 Who we are Degree Structure There are currently five full-time academic We are supported by two full-time Autumn Semester staff who spend all or most of our time technicians, who run our well-equipped teaching theatre courses at Sheffield, and studios and rehearsal spaces, and we also Theatre Practice: Studying Prose Unrestricted* all of us are experienced practitioners have a large cohort of postgraduate students L1 Interpreting Texts who teach studio-based courses as well studying for MAs and PhDs, who sometimes Renaissance Literature as seminars. We also bring in professional add their expertise to teaching, or run L2 Performance in History OR Criticism and Optional theatre companies and practitioners projects which offer exciting opportunities Literary Theory to run workshops or to talk about their for undergraduates who want to get involved. Romantic & Victorian work, sometimes as part of a module, and Theatre Research Poetry OR Romantic & Optional sometimes as extra-curricular and open L3 Project Victorian Prose events. (Quite often, the people we bring in are former students of ours who are now established in theatre-related careers). Spring Semester Theatre Practice: L1 Studying Prose Unrestricted* Who you are Making Texts Restoration and Contemporary By choice, we are a small programme, Some of our students choose to do as much Eighteenth Century Optional L2 Performance Practices typically taking around 18 students per year. performance related work as possible (it can Literature OR Genre Of course, you will also work with other be through stage-management or design or students on the core Literature modules, lighting, as well as through acting and extra- Modern Literature and within your optional modules; however, curricular productions); but others - equally L3 Performance Essay OR Contemporary Optional Literature for continuity, cohesion and strong creative successful - see written analysis as their relationships throughout the core studio- primary strength. In any case, the quality of *unrestricted modules are those from other subject areas such as History or Languages. based theatre modules, we know that a group your ideas, your ability to articulate these of this size is ideal. and your level of commitment to exploring Theatre Optional Modules behind the railway station; or in a primary through practice, are just as important as school (where instead of performing you We do not audition for entry to the Our range of optional Theatre modules your technical skills. might just as easily be running a workshop to programme, because although you will do allows you to focus much of your degree introduce Year Six children to Macbeth!) a lot of practical work this is an academic We ask that you are prepared to work hard, study around specific areas of practice degree, and the practice is primarily a means that you remain attentive to your reading and which interest you, or, should you prefer • A History of Dramatic Texts in Performance of learning, and then of demonstrating what viewing, and to the wider world around you, this, to explore as wide and diverse a range • The Reception and Analysis of Theatre you have learnt. that you think deeply and with patience, and of experiences as possible. The modules we • Theatre in Education and We do assess practice – and have clear that you maintain an open mind: be curious; offer also reflect staff interests and research Community Theatre ask questions; think critically and creatively. and specific criteria for doing so – but we expertise, and in particular the equal • Women Playwrights on the use many other forms of written and oral emphasis our course gives to the historical International stage assessment (including essays but not and the contemporary, the traditional and the • Performing Shakespeares experimental, the spoken and the visual, the exams!) and no modules are assessed • Adaptation: Theory & Practice entirely on practice. creative and the theoretical. • Contemporary British Theatre The practical work within these modules • Shakespeare on Film encompasses performance forms of very • Radical Texts different kinds, sometimes taking you beyond the University and outside ordinary theatre • Live Art spaces. You might find yourself working in • Site-Specific Performance a gallery or a museum in the city; or in the Botanical Gardens, or in the amphitheatre
Page 4 BA in English & Theatre BA in English & Theatre Page 5 Our range of optional English modules includes: Why take this Degree? 1st Year Optional Modules Because you’re passionate about pursuing on to do afterwards. Some go into careers • Celtic Languages & Literature • Hollywood Cinema both English Literature and Theatre to a in different areas of theatre or performance • Creative Writing • Introduction to cinema higher level and want to spend three years practice, or in film and television, but • Critical contexts • Introduction to the reception and analysis researching and learning about them in the others go into arts administration, writing, • Early American Literature of theatre company of others who share your interest. journalism, teaching - and beyond. And many • Early Englishes • Introduction to Theatre But taking this degree also open ups a striking stay in touch with us, because they recognise • Foundations in Literary Study: Biblical and • Marx, Darwin, Freud, range of career opportunities - as we know that the opportunities they had here played a Classical Sources in English • Practical Stylistics from watching what our students have gone major part in setting them on their way. • History of dramatic texts in performance • Studying Theatre • History of English • Techniques of performance Our Recognition
Our 2nd & 3rd Year English Optional Modules “1st for Research Environment” REF 2014 The impact outside the academy of the research conducted in the School has been • Afro-American Literature to 1940 • Darwin & the Nineteenth-Century Novel We’re one of the largest and most successful English departments in the UK. We conduct judged to be valuable and strong: 100% of • Afro-American Literature 2: 1940 to the • Secrets & Lies: Victorian Life-Writing ground-breaking research, maintain strong our impact activities scored 4* and 3*. This Present • Creative Writing Prose Fiction links with our local community, and work with combined result places the School 1st out of • Women’s Autobiography • Satire & Print in the Eighteenth Century students who love being here. 89 departments in the UK. • Literary Mad Scientists: From Frankenstein • The History of Persuasion to Einstein In the Research Excellence Framework 2014, • Introduction to Middle English 82% of the School’s research activities and • War on Screen • European Gothic outputs were judged world leading (4*) and • Theory/Contingency • Love & Death: The Films of Woody Allen internationally excellent (3*). In terms of the • Literature & Nonsense • Adaptation: Theory & Practice research quality for our size (our research • No Animals Were Harmed in the Making of • Sites of Performance power), this result ranks us 12th out of 89 this Module • Performing Shakespeare departments in the UK. • Irish Fiction • Radical Theory The School of English’s research environment • The Graphic Novel • Chaucer’s Comic Tales has been judged to be the best for English • Creative Writing Poetry • Cold War Fiction in the country (1st out of 89 departments; with a combined score of 4* in 90% and 3* • Writing Fiction • Shakespeare on Film in 10% of our activities). This result means • The Idea of America • John Donne • Introduction to Modern Irish that our School offers outstanding support • Representing the Holocaust for academic staff and students at all levels • Writing the Real • Post-War British Realist Cinema to work closely and successfully to pursue • America & the Avant-Garde • Byron & Shelley research and scholarship across the field of • The Elegy • Imagining the North English studies. • Radical Texts • Sex & Decadence in Restoration Theatre • Introduction to Old English • Fin de Siècle Gothic • Creating Poetry • Interdisciplinary Research in Practice • Christopher Marlowe • Dissertation • America in the 1960s
Please note: The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it is current and relevant. Individual modules may be updated or withdrawn in response to discoveries through our world-leading research, funding changes, professional accreditation requirements, student or employer feedback, curriculum review, staff availability, and variations in student numbers. In the event of a material change the University will inform students in good time and will take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Page 6 BA in English & Theatre BA in English & Theatre Page 7 Our Facilities
The School of English Theatre Workshop The Theatre Workshop can hold up to 100 people and is used for teaching, rehearsals and events in the auditorium; construction, design and fabrication in our Carpentry workshop; creative meetings, seminars and research groups across our rehearsal spaces; and production meetings, training and programme management in our Theatre and Productions offices. The Cottage The Cottage is equipped with a wide range The Cutting Edge Studio of facilities including Computer Aided The Hawley Building houses the Cutting Design (CAD) suites, advanced sound and Edge Studio and two break out spaces for video editing platforms. With live-streaming rehearsals, meetings, video viewing and facilities and social media integration seminars. In addition to teaching that takes students are able to develop work that place here, the building can be booked by crosses the boundary between physical and students to develop their skills and to work digital to create theatre and performance for on their own projects. Fitted with a Harliquin the digital age. dance floor, a full sound rig, LED lighting fixtures and administration facilities, the Hawley building provides all the services for an emerging practitioner. The University of Sheffield Drama Studio Converted from a 19th century Baptist church, the Drama Studio is a venue for performances and has three rehearsal spaces for production rehearsals, classes and independent work. The space gives students the chance to work in a traditionally styled theatre space and experience the mechanics of creating traditionally structured theatre as well as developing and adapting non- traditional theatre performances to a space with its own unique characteristics. To find out the current programme go to www.sheffield.ac.uk/drama
Page 8 BA in English & Theatre BA in English & Theatre Page 9 About the School of English
We are researchers, writing the books That is one reason why as a School and as and articles that advance the study of a University we are rightly famed for our literature and culture from the origins of engagement with the public, both locally and the English language to the present day. We on the international stage. are deeply committed to education. We are Our centres for research demonstrate not committed simply to teaching you, but the breadth of our interests: the History to working collegially with and alongside of the Gothic; the Research of Film; Cold you. The roots of the word research are War Cultures; Archival Practice; Poetry and in “seeking out”, or even “seeking out with Poetics; Medical Humanities; and a recent intensity”, and we encourage you to come to development in the discipline, Animal Studies, university to be part of a community seeking which challenges the presumption that out knowledge. humans are exceptional amongst species. To say we are committed to education is also to emphasise our belief that when we guide your education we do not educate Sheffield is a vibrant city of culture and has you alone, but that we are all participating the largest theatre complex outside London. in a larger ecology of ideas, of ethics and of Find out more at: commitment back out into the world. www.ourfaveplaces.co.uk The Creative Arts
We need something to read, to watch, and Simon Armitage. We provide a forum for your to contemplate of course, so we are as work as writers and editors in the online interested in creativity as we are in criticism. and print journal Route57. We work hard to Our tradition of fostering creative writing develop connections with poets, presses and stretches back to the appointments of Angela arts organizations, including the Man Booker Carter as a writer-in-residence, and the poet Prize, Bank Street Arts and Off the Shelf. and critic Professor Sir William Empson. We also hold fantastic collections of rare We’re proud to continue that tradition with archives and books in our libraries. a teaching team led by Professor of Poetry
“No matter what century created it, a play always concerns the contemporary world right now - a high-density magnifying lens through which we can see our own times, our lives, our problems, and our assumptions. Hamlet signifies what Hamlet means now.” Anne Bogart, And Then, You Act: Making Art in An Unpredictable World (London + New York: Routledge, 2007)
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