English, BA (Hons)

The BA English degree at Goldsmiths equips students with essential critical and verbal skills for in-depth analysis of literary texts and criticism. This bold, flexible programme fosters an intellectual journey through diverse histories, cultures, and languages, encouraging exploration of complex themes such as gender identity, the Transatlantic slave trade, climate change, feminism, and indigenous literature. Students can tailor their studies by engaging with traditional and non-traditional works, including films, photography, and visual arts, while benefiting from transferable skills development, career support, pastoral care, and access to London's cultural resources.The curriculum includes compulsory modules across three years, such as "Explorations in Literature" in Year 1, "Reading the Past" in Year 2, and "Challenging World Literature" in Year 3, alongside optional modules like "Caribbean Women Writers" or "American Gothic." Students select additional electives and may undertake a work placement. Assessment varies by module, incorporating coursework, examinations, group work, and projects, with ongoing support for academic and research skills.

Year 1 In your first year, you will take the following compulsory modules. Explorations in Literature Approaches to Text Genre Ideas in Practice Creative-Critical Project Year 2 In the second year, full-time students take these compulsory modules: Reading the Past: from Bede to Sterne The Long Nineteenth Century You will also choose one of the following modules: The Goldsmiths Project or Work Placement (English) You will have the opportunity to take the module 'Communicating the Climate Crisis' as part of the Goldsmiths Connected Curriculum or you can choose another 15-credit Goldsmiths Elective Module. Optional modules You will also choose 2 optional modules from a list provided by the Department of English and Creative Writing. Modules vary from year to year, but may include the following: Homer and Contemporary Literature Staging Women’s Voices: Feminism and Writing (Enlightenment to now) Poetry since 1945 American Gothic Language and Society Creative and Life Writing Aesthetics Black British Literature Year 3 In your final year, you will take two compulsory modules: Challenging World Literature: Diversity and Difference Modern and Contemporary Literatures Optional modules You will also take 3 to 4 optional modules to the total of 60 credits, chosen from a list provided by the Department of English and Creative Writing. Modules may vary from year to year, and examples have included the below: Caribbean Women Writers Decadence Writing Lives Discourse Analysis: Language, Culture and Politics Shakespeare’s Sisters: Contemporary Women’s Writing 1960s to the present Contemporary Indigenous Literatures and Cultures American Crime Fiction Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.