Options

Options aims and procedure | Methodology options | Options not requiring course attendance | Applications for options 2012-2013

Options aims and procedure

The goal of options courses is to introduce students to a variety of areas within English language and literature and the scholarly approaches involved. They provide an opportunity for in-depth study in a particular area after the more general introduction to English studies of the first two years. Students are directed to the relevant background for doing individual research and encouraged to start thinking of their future theses. The forms of the options courses vary, but generally they emphasize seminar-type methods of work, discussions, and presentations. For this reason, the number of students in each group is generally restricted to 12.

For students completing Intermediate Studies according to the old requirements (total 45 credits), all options belong to Advanced Studies. In the new system, one option is also required at the Intermediate Studies level. This option can be selected from among any of the options courses on offer. Please note that these are all listed under the Advanced Studies programme under S6-13 Options. (In other words, one of these Advanced courses is counted at the Intermediate Studies level.)

Whether in the old system or in the new, options courses can be thought of third or fourth year courses, and the assumption is that students will have completed Basic Studies and most of Intermediate Studies first.

How many options do I need?

In the new system, students will need 1 option at the Intermediate Studies level.

For Students starting Advanced Studies in the new system, the minimum requirement is five options (S6-S10) plus a methodology course (S3). (There is also a maximum, as the codes stop at S13!)

Students have been required in the past to have a minimum of four (6 credit) options, among which was a methodology option. Those of you completing Advanced Studies under the old system should note, however, that from now on all options courses will earn you only 5 credit points, so you should make sure you take enough options in order to amass, together with the Shakespeare, History of English and Language Practice components,  the required 40 total. In the event that you are only 1 or 2 credits short, it will be possible to make a technical adjustment so that the total of 40 is reached; if you are 3 or more short, the solution is to take one more option. For some this will mean a total of five options (still less than in the new system, since this will include the methodology course!)

Methodology courses and other options

In principle, students must have completed a methodology option before being admitted to the Advanced Studies Seminar (EngS4) (see the course requirements for EngS4 Seminar). This means you should apply to take one or more suitable methodology options during the academic year before you intend to join a seminar group.

Formerly, such methods courses were listed among options courses generally. In the new system, they will be listed under EngS3 in the register, while other options will be given separate codes EngS6, EngS7, EngS8 etc. in the order in which they are completed. Application to methodology options and other options is to be made in the same way on the same form, however.

Options not requiring course attendance

Sometimes options are offered which simply involve an examination on set books. No application is required to take a book test option other than submitting an envelope in the normal way for Departmental exams.

At present, however, no book option is offered. Book options will be added to the List as and when they become available.

In addition, instead of taking a course, students with a special interest in a topic on which no course is available may, with the consent of an instructor, compile a reading package and submit a research paper and/or other written assignment(s).

Applications for options 2012-2013

The application system is designed to take account of students' preferences, and to ensure that students get into as many options of their choice as possible. The aim is also to take account of seniority, giving priority to students who are at a more advanced stage in their studies.

Anyone applying for an option will be expected to participate fully in that option. Partial attendance is not acceptable. Please do not apply for any option unless you are certain that you can take up the place offered and attend regularly.

Application is to be made using a simple electronic application form. The form will be accessible from 8 a.m. on Monday, August 27th, until 4 p.m. on Friday, August 31st. All forms received by the above deadline will receive equal attention; selection is NOT on a first-come, first-served basis.

If for some reason it is impossible for you to submit a form in this way, e-mail Ian Gurney for further advice in good time.

Information on all the options offered is to be found in the List and Descriptions files on these pages. When you have read the options information there and looked at the options list and course descriptions, you can access the application form via the link above, or from the link on the options list page.