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BA English - Subject To Approval

Programme Code: Subject to approval

Overview

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Start of programme: Subject to approval

Mode of Attendance: Full Time

English is a global language, but it exists in a world in which most people speak at least one other language. How can we understand and study English from a truly global perspective? The BA degree is designed to provide students with knowledge and key analytic, critical thinking and communication skills to prepare them to work in today’s globalising world of English. You will study literature in English and in translation to reflect on the relationship between writing in English and in Asian and African languages and on global networks and flows. You will gain an understanding of cultural, social, linguistic and cognitive aspects of English language use in a global context, and of the dynamics of multilingualism and multimodal language use in intercultural communication. The programme consists of compulsory modules on key thematic concerns but with the flexibility to choose courses on either language, linguistics, literature or a combination of them. Students will also be able to combine English with an Asian or African language and/or region and take courses on cinema, development, migration, diaspora, etc.

Combinations

May be combined with

The programme can be taken as a single honours degree or as a joint degree with one of the languages listed below (see joint language degree/pathway pages for the programme structure). Currently awaiting approval.

  • Arabic
  • Burmese
  • Chinese
  • Hausa
  • Hebrew
  • Hindi
  • Indonesian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Nepali
  • Persian
  • Swahili
  • Thai
  • Tibetan
  • Turkish
  • Urdu
  • Vietnamese

Structure

Courses will include:

  • English in the Global World
  • Ways of Reading
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Issues in World Englishes
  • Psychology of multilingualism
  • Global Literature
  • Global Shakespeare
  • Writing the transnational
  • Contemporary African literature
  • Literature of the Ancient and Near East
  • South Asian Literature in English
  • Survey of Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
  • Survey of Pre-Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
  • Literary Traditions and Culture of Korea
  • History in African and Caribbean literature
  • War, Revolution and Independence in South East Asian Literatures in Translation
  • The City and the Countryside in South East Asian Literatures
  • Nation and Nationalism in Middle Eastern fiction (in Translation)
  • Cinema and Society in South Asia
  • Representations and transformations: South African drama and film
  • Black urban studies
  • Britain and slavery
  • Introduction to Pan-Africanism
  • Language in Africa
  • Perspectives on African experience
  • African Philosophy
  • General Linguistics
  • Language, Society and Communication
  • Psychology of Language

You will also be able to take language courses and open options in other Departments at SOAS.

Destinations

This proposed degree has a wide variety of potential job sectors it might lead to, most likely including journalism, advertising/marketing/communications, publishing/creative writing, and education.  Because of the cross-cultural aspects involved graduates will find employment in international education and international charity/NGO/social enterprise areas as well.  

A well-grounded understanding of intercultural communication is a key requirement of many of the organisations that target SOAS for their recruitment.  Looking to future population and employment growth trends, these skills are likely to continue to of strong benefit.

How to apply

How to apply

Scholarships

For further information visit the Scholarships section