Course summary

The French MLitt comprises taught and research-based elements, allowing you to focus in depth on one aspect of French studies. We offer a range of study topics including cinema, literature, popular culture and French linguistics. We offer expert supervision in the following research areas of French studies: •contemporary women's writing (Dr Robson, Dr El-Maïzi) •19th century literature and culture (Prof Harkness, Prof Cross) •dialectology (Dr Hall) •French and Algerian cinema (Prof Austin, Dr Leahy) •history, politics and gender (Prof Cross, Prof Harkness) •language change (Dr Hall, Dr Waltereit) •popular culture (media, sport, music) and public policy (Dr Dauncey) •postcolonial cultures (Prof Austin, Dr El-Maïzi) •trauma and culture (Prof Austin, Dr Robson). You will normally work on a research project which comprises two to four research assignments and a longer dissertation. Your supervisor will be an expert in your chosen field, and will receive support if necessary from an experienced research supervisor. It is well suited as preparation for PhD research. Our research staff work in a diverse range of fields from sociocultural, historical and political studies, to film and literature, linguistics and sociolinguistics. The School has strong links with interdisciplinary research centres and groups, including: •Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies •Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences •Research Centre in Film and Digital Media •Gender Research Group •Medieval and Early Modern Studies •Postcolonial Research Group. You will also have the opportunity to attend festivals and conferences with a direct bearing on your course: •Talking to the World Conference •VAMOS festival. As a student in the School of Modern Languages, you will benefit from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Faculty research training programme. You will choose these research modules in consultation with your supervisors. Depending on your funding status, up to £500 per year is available to support your attendance at conferences or for archival research. You can also request an inter-library loan. Delivery: This course is delivered by the School of Modern Languages, with the possibility of joint supervision with other schools. You will mainly be based in Newcastle’s city-centre campus. Attendance is flexible and agreed between you and your supervisors depending on the requirements of the research project. Full-time students are expected to undertake 40 hours of work per week with an annual holiday entitlement of 35 days (including statutory and bank holidays). Part-time study requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week. The MLitt includes a formal research training component where you develop research skills and methodologies (20 credits). You complete a portfolio of essays chosen in consultation with your supervisors according to your interests and experience (80 credits). You then undertake a dissertation of 16,000–24,000 words consisting of a sustained piece of original research (80 credits). Study consists mainly of tutorials and independent learning supported by research training. Supervisors will advise applicants on how to develop their research proposals. Facilities You will have access to a dedicated quiet study space, as well as use of a common room with kitchen facilities. The School also houses the Language Resource Centre, with an extensive range of language learning facilities and resources, including: •access to 24 satellite television channels from around the world •listen and record facilities for speaking practice •interactive language learning software •an international film collection of over 800 titles.