Critical Theory MA

King's College London, University of London

Overview

Our Critical Theory MA is a unique interdisciplinary course focused on the history, study and applications of critical methodologies across the humanities. Students will explore some of the major modern schools of thought and contemporary theories and practices of critique and interpretation as they have developed from a basis in Marxist thought and Continental Philosophy through to applications in relation to bio politics, race, technology and sexuality. The course gives students the opportunity to follow their own interests from a wide range of optional modules across the humanities and social sciences, all of which draw on the varied and lively research culture of King’s in these fields. Leads to careers in universities, the media, arts, teaching and journalism

Course detail

Our interdisciplinary course in Critical Methodology is built around a required module in critical theory. This will introduce you to the main debates in current critical theory through the exploration of a series of key texts. It explores theories and practices of reading, from Formalism and Structuralism through Barthes and textuality to queer theory, psychoanalysis, materialist and postcolonial theories. In addition to this required module, you will be able to choose from a list of modules linked to critical theory in a range of subjects. You will investigate and write a dissertation on a topic that links the required module to the material of one or more of your optional modules. This course is ideally suited to you if you have a humanities degree and are looking to prepare for PhD study, or if you want to pursue a career in teaching, journalism, the media and the arts.

Teaching and assessment

If you are a full-time student, we will provide six hours of teaching each week through lectures and seminars, and we will expect you to undertake 34 hours of independent study. If you are a part-time student, we will provide two to four hours of teaching through lectures and seminars each week, and we will expect you to undertake between 16 and 18 hours of independent study. For your dissertation we will organise a workshop and provide you with an additional four hours of supervision. We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

Career prospects

Many of our graduates go on to pursue further research in humanities subjects. Others transfer the skills and knowledge they develop with us to go on to careers in teaching, journalism, the media, arts, and other related bodies.