Are you interested in the English language? In household literary names such as Shakespeare, Austen, Dickens and Orwell? In exploring what directions literature is taking, and where it came from/developments over time? Then you will probably be thinking about taking an English degree. But what does studying English actually involve, and what prospects does an English degree offer? Furthermore, which possibilities are available in Luxembourg?
What is English Studies?
English Studies can consist of language and linguistics studies as well as literary studies. A combination of the two is also possible in many university English departments, as the two domains are not mutually exclusive.
Literary Studies
English literature studies all literature originally written in the English language and is not restricted to British literary productions. There exist a number of subcategories; mainly literatures coming from former British colonies.
What is required of the student?
Students are expected to engage with a variety of literary productions (prose, poetry, drama, non-fiction) and read widely. They must learn techniques of close textual analysis, and the literary and critical jargon necessary for academic writing and criticism.
The familiarisation with different literary theories, critical approaches and ways of reading is crucial in order to gain a thorough understanding of the academic literary world, the development of literature over time, and how to analyse and interpret literary texts. Examples include postmodern, feminist and reader-response criticism, each with their own sets of values and methods. Depending on the university course offered, students will cover a number of literary periods, each with their own distinguishing features, such as the Elizabethan age, Romanticism and Modernism, or specialise themselves in a selection of these periods.
Language and Linguistics Studies
Language and Linguistics Studies is a broad area that can be divided into a variety of fields.
Linguistics is basically the scientific study of language. First, we have the history of the English language, where the provenance of the language, the influences upon it, the changes and developments are analysed, as well as standardization against dialects. Grammar trends, methods and theories form part of this, as does any inquiry into language structure (phonology, morphology, and syntax, for example).
Another area is the study of language in different contexts, such as social, historical, and psychological ones; and how language forms meaning (semantics, pragmatics), as well as discourse analysis: the structure of texts and conversations.
Different Degrees
There are a multitude of degrees on offer, permitting the student to find the one tailored to his or her needs. At Bachelor level we can find pure English degrees, or ones in combination with another subject. They are usually three years in length. More specialised Masters degrees exist in both taught and research format (one year full-time, two or three part-time), as well as PhD degrees, which last three to six or more years depending on the format chosen and progress. Traditionally, university courses consist of a combination of small group seminars, lectures, and tutorials.
Author: Tommy Halsdorf
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Studying English develops critical and analytical thinking; writing, research, organisation, interpretation and communication skills. These are sought-after attributes in many jobs, including those of librarian, teacher, researcher, writer, editor, journalist, dramatist, or a career in the Medias.
The University of Luxembourg currently offers a first year undergraduate course/programme in English literature and language/linguistics (as part of the Bachelor en Cultures Européennes). It is very much a preparation course for further studies in the United Kingdom or other English-speaking countries – most students go abroad to complete their degree.
However, the Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education does offer the possibility of a PhD in English literature and/or linguistics, as well as the opportunity of joint supervision of dissertations with other institutions of higher education abroad. There have also been ideas concerning a master’s degree of some kind, possibly in combination with an education degree, however nothing is concrete.
have a large number of students attending, with one or more speakers giving talks about a certain text or subject area, and the students take notes. There is little interaction; it is primarily about gathering information. Examples would be: “Dickens’s Hard Times and Realism”, or “The Romantic Imagination”
consist of small groups of students (anything from half a dozen to fifteen or twenty) and a lecturer. It is an interactive meeting where questions are raised and ideas discussed, usually on a set topic or text and in relation to the subject matter covered in the lectures and by the student’s own reading. It is primarily about processing and exchanging information.
are individual or very small group meetings with a personal tutor or another lecturer/member of the teaching staff in order to focus on individual needs concerning a student’s academic work.