MA/MS in Literary Arts, Criticism and Communication

General Description: Objective(s) of a study programme: To prepare skilled literary critics of broad profile, who creatively research, interpret, review, appreaciate, and present literary phenomena and processes; who are able to act professionally in literary field, to identify and solve various literary issues, and to create original projects communicating literature. Learning outcomes: On completion of the program, students will be able to: 1. Identify, define, interpret and relate complex socio-cultural conditions for literary production, reception, distribution, usage, texts’ formation, and the development of genres. 2. Explain the properties, significance, and impact of literary criticism and communication on literary processes. 3. Explain and compare the aims, concepts and theoretical approaches of different disciplines in contemporary literary studies. 4. Investigate and evaluate the properties and functions of a particular literary phenomenon, a process or its part; and to compare the poetic characteristics, aesthetic and ideological attitudes of several different phenomena, creatively using suitable instruments, methods, and theoretical approaches. 5. Choose, apply, modify, and combine the instruments and methods of modern literary studies while analyzing a particular literary phenomenon or its part. 6. Formulate original and relevant questions in response to the latest literary processes, changing situation, and in relation to a specific complicated issue in literary studies; solve them with arguments, based on evidence, and conceptualize the conclusions. 7. Make a creative use of a wide range of relevant sources and technologies for literary research. 8. Adapt and rearrange the form and way of presenting the results of literary research taking into account the addressee’s literary competence and situation. 9. Write, edit and publish a text presenting, exploring and evaluating a particular literary phenomenon, process or part of it. 10. Discuss in public the processes and problems of literary field, presenting a responsible and informed views, seeing oneself as an agent of literary field in society. Activities of teaching and learning: Lectures, seminars, consultations, discussions, writing, active reading, case study, formulating questions for discussions and analysis of problematic cases, exercises in creative exploration, practicum, practical tasks, e-learning, work in groups and individually, project-based, self-directed and self-managed learning, etc. Methods of assessment of learning achievements: The assessment of student knowledge is based on a cumulative grading system. Students have a mid-term exam, a final exam, as well as seminar and other individual or group work assessments such as essays, presentations, etc. during the semester. Evaluation rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the highest level of achievement, 1-4 indicating fail. Exams are conducted in written form. Framework: Study subjects (modules), practical training: During the first three semesters the students take four obligatory and one elective course per semester. During the fourth semester students write their Master’s thesis. Obligotary courses: Philosophy of Literature, Recent Methods for Literary Research, Poetry, Poetics and Rhetoric, Narrative and Narrative Theory, Drama and Performative Literature, Creative Writing: Literary Essays and Publicistic Texts, Cultural Media, Research Project: Practicum of Literary Criticism, Literary Editing, Comparative Literature, Diaspora Literature, Mythopoetic Discourses, Master’s Thesis Practical training During the second semester, by taking the course „Research Project: Practicum of Literary Criticism“, the students undertake one-month internship at a chosen workplace. Conducting the research project students investigate the possibilities of professional activity and test the acquired theoretical knowledge, abilities and competencies, by applying them in specific practice activity in their chosen work place. The acquired knowledge and data gathered during practice can become a basis for their future master’s thesis. Specialisations: - Optional courses: During the first three semesters the students, according to their study preferences and academic interests, can choose one elective course per semester. 1st semester options: Contemporary Communication Concepts, Critique of Culture Communication, Critics of Cultural and Creative Industries, Analysis of Creative Organizations, Elective course (from VMU master’s study programs); 2nd semester options: Creative Communication, Literary Translation 1, Project Management Basics, Special Course, Elective course (from VMU master’s study programs); 3rd semester options: Movements of Modernism and Postmodernism, Sociology of Literature, Cybertext Poetics, Literature and Media. Distinctive features of a study programme: The program integrates and combines the application of modern literary theories to the analysis of literary texts, the specifics of literary genres, practical aspects of creative writing and literary criticism, which are necessary while working in the contemporary field of literature and culture. Access to professional activity or further study: Access to professional activity: Graduates of the program gain qualifications to work as literary critics, reviewers, and editors in mass media and publishing; as literary agents; as coordinators and organizers of literary activities in various organizations for the dissemination of literary works (museums, creative organizations, non-governmental institutions), cultural and educational institutions (libraries, archives, schools, cultural centers); as researchers and pedagogical staff in academic institutions (universities, research centers), as field analysts for the dissemination of literary works in state institutions; they also can initiate and carry out independent projects for the dissemination of literary works (to organize festivals, discussions, other events). Access to further study: Studies can be continued in doctoral studies in the field of philology.