MSt in Comparative Literature and Critical Translation

at University of Oxford

Core course

The core course will introduce you to key topics in comparative and world literature and translation studies, and give you the skills needed to develop your own arguments and pursue original research. It is taught by a weekly lecture and seminar in weeks one through six of Michaelmas (autumn) and Hilary (spring) terms. You will give presentations in the seminars (usually twice each term), and write a short practice essay at the end of Michaelmas term: these formative assignments will not affect your degree result. 

The list below provides an indication of the topics covered in the core course, though please note that it may vary from year to year:
 

• histories of comparison

• theories of comparison

• worlds of comparison

• figures

• genres and forms

• migration, travel and encounter

• translation studies and comparative literatures

• translation and transmediality

• translation and circulation

• translingual and multilingual texts

• untranslatables and universals

• translational critical practices.

Option courses

You will take one option course in Michaelmas term and one option course in Hilary term. These options are chosen from a wide range available in the faculties of Medieval and Modern Languages, English Language and Literature, and Oriental Studies. The option courses available change from year to year, but the following list is indicative of the types of topics which may be offered by participating faculties:
 

• Travel, Belonging, Identity: 1550-1700

• Utopian Writing from More to Hume

• Victorian and Edwardian Drama 1850-1914

• 19th and 20th Century Spanish Women Writers

• 20th Century German Drama and Theatre

• Contemporary Brazilian Fiction

• Francophone Literature

• Gender and Representation in Russian Culture from 1800

• Greek Literature & Culture after the 19th century: Themes, Texts and Contexts

• The Body in 20th- and 21st-Century Spanish American Fiction

• The Italian Novel in the 19th and 20th Century

• Translation and Adaptation: Texts, Histories, Practices

• Topics in Classical Japanese Poetry

• Womanhood in Korean Literature

• Authority and Rebellion in Modern Arabic Literature

• Chinese Fiction After Tiananmen.

Teaching for an option consists of regular one-to-one or small-group meetings, with feedback being given as appropriate. Your options must focus on literature in different languages (eg Arabic in one term, English in the other; or French in one term, Russian in the other). Some options may not have a language requirement, or may span more than one language: in such cases, the course convener will advise you so that your choices cover an appropriate range.

Dissertation

Your dissertation may be on any comparative topic that involves your two languages of focus. You will work closely with a supervisor, starting at the end of Michaelmas term and continuing through Hilary term, though the bulk of the work will be concentrated in Trinity (summer) term. Your dissertation will be due in at the end of Trinity term.

Alongside the weekly teaching sessions for the core and option courses, students should expect to undertake approximately 30 hours of self-directed study each week.

Proven and potential academic excellence

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
 

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any subject.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA normally sought is 3.75 out of 4.0.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience
 

• You must provide evidence of proficiency in at least two languages (one of which may be English) to at least level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or an equivalent standard for Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

• You will need to provide evidence of competence in the study of literature corresponding to your language skills. You may do this in your letter of application and submitted written work, as well as by the qualifications you have obtained.

• Publications are not expected.

English language proficiency

Minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level requirement

IELTS Academic

 7.5  

TOEFL iBT, including the 'Home Edition'

110

Home    
£16,010

Overseas  
£32,760

It is anticipated that those who have successfully completed the course may proceed to doctoral work at Oxford or other institutions. Alternative career destinations may include publishing, journalism, teaching, or various kinds of international cultural work.