Undergraduate Prospectus 2020 Keele Undergraduate Propsectus 2020 | Page 153

English Literature, Creative Writing and History | 163
English Literature and Philosophy
BA (Hons)
Why study this course?
English Literature and Philosophy at Keele allows you to explore central
questions about language, thought and the expression of ideas. You will trace
the history of human thought about important questions concerning knowledge,
the mind and the world in the traditions of Europe, India and China.
Many philosophers – Ludwig Wittgenstein, Donald Davidson and
Stanley Cavell, for example – have taken language or literature as the
subject of their reflections, while some such as Jean-Paul Sartre and
Simone de Beauvoir have used literature to explore philosophical
ideas. Both subjects require students to consider the biggest questions
for humankind, and to develop an alert awareness of the use of
language, form and narrative in exploring these questions. Ethical and
epistemological issues are central to great works of poetry and prose.
This programme encourages complementary skills and sensitivities in
language use and interpretation. It also offers you options in both Film
Studies and Creative Writing. For these reasons, it is a classic and very
popular Keele combination. The first student ever to graduate from Keele
did so in Philosophy and English.
What will this mean for my future?
Studying English Literature and Philosophy will equip you with a wide
range of skills, critical thinking and a superb understanding of the
way people think and approach problems, all of which are prized by
employers and adaptable to a wide range of careers. You will learn to
present your ideas in a variety of media, including presentations, written
work, dialogues and film, to express yourself clearly and to negotiate
with others. English Literature and Philosophy has an excellent graduate
placement record. On finishing, you could move into education, the law,
finance, government, publishing, the media, or the arts. To enhance your
degree, you can study abroad for a year, or Keele’s Language Centre
offers a variety of language courses which can be taken as modules of
your degree course. Visit keele.ac.uk/study/languagecentre for more
information.
INDICATIVE MODULES
First Year
• Ten Problems of Philosophy
• Ancient Philosophy
• Philosophy and Film
• Composition
• Telling Tales
• Playing Parts
Second Year
• The Pursuit of the Good
• Philosophy of Mind
• Philosophy of Science
• Victorian Performances
• Twentieth-Century British Fiction
and Poetry
• The Renaissance: Shakespeare
and Beyond
Third Year
• Epistemology and Metaphysics
• Philosophy of Language
• Great Philosophers of the
20th Century
• Literature and Society
• Violence and Death in
Shakespeare's Theatre
• High Culture: Drink, Drugs and
the American Dream
KEY INFORMATION
UCAS Code - PQ33
Foundation Year
Yes
Indicative entry
requirements
Combined Honours
A level: BCC-CCC
BTEC: DMM-MMM
Course duration
3 years or 4 years
with an international
year
Study abroad
Yes
International Year
Yes
Learn a Language
Yes
For information on courses that combine subjects please visit keele.ac.uk/ugcourses