Uppsala University

Overview

The Master's programme in English - American Literature and Culture at Uppsala University offers a comprehensive exploration of how American literature has influenced and reflected significant cultural, political, and social transformations from the early republic to the present day. This engaging course integrates close reading techniques with rigorous research training and culminates in a dissertation project, emphasizing contemporary debates within literary studies.

• Level: Master’s programme
• Subject: English (American literature and culture)
• Credits: Typically 120 ECTS
• Duration: Usually 2 years (full-time)
• Delivery: On-campus
• Language of instruction: English
• Application: Submit via the university application portal
• Selection: Based on prior study, statement of purpose, and quality of the bachelor’s thesis/degree project

What you'll study

The programme is designed to blend thematic and methodological courses with research training, leading to a dissertation project.

• Genre, Mode, Literary Form
• Rethinking 19th Century American Literature
• Modernism and Modernity in America
• Literature and Intersectionality
• Archives of Empire
• Inventing America: The Writings of the Colonies and Early Republic
• Reading the Contemporary: Post-45 American Literature and Culture

Dissertation project: Students will develop an independent dissertation based on a research question formulated in consultation with academic staff. This project is supported by the programme’s research-oriented coursework and training in academic writing and scholarly methods.

Learning outcomes: Graduates will be equipped to conduct advanced literary analysis, contextualize texts within relevant cultural and theoretical discussions, and present original research in a structured academic thesis.

Entry requirements

Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen from an internationally recognized university. There are no specific GRE/GMAT requirements for this programme.

Career prospects

Graduates of this programme can pursue a variety of career paths, including roles in education, publishing, cultural institutions, and the arts. The skills developed throughout the course, such as critical thinking, advanced literary analysis, and research proficiency, prepare students for both academic and professional success in diverse fields related to literature and culture.