The Faculty of Arts is currently accepting applications for the second intake of the highly successful interdepartmental taught Master of Arts in Literary Tradition and Popular Culture, a full-time day programme, which will run over three semesters starting in October. The first two semesters will consist of a taught component comprising six units of 10 credits each. During the third semester students will be required to write a dissertation under supervision. The entire programme will be taught in English and will also be offered on a part-time basis over six semesters.

Popular culture in its increasingly varied contemporary manifestations draws immensely on literary tradition. The programme will seek to explore the complex engagement of these two conceptual categories with one another as well as their shared areas of theory and critique.

Seven different departments of the Faculty of Arts will offer lectures and seminars on the following key areas, among others, comparative literature, cultural theory, theory of literature, popular culture, Biblical literature, modernist literature, postmodernist literature, film and the literary canon, film and technology, the literature of the avant-garde, the aesthetics of decline, representations of the Mediterranean, the translation of canonical and popular texts and graphic novels.

The course is not restricted to graduates of language and literature but welcomes Honours graduates (Second Class or better) as well as all those holding an Ordinary degree at Category II or better. Indeed it is designed to address the interests of students from different academic backgrounds.

Students currently enrolled in the programme have expressed their opinion on the course offerings. For Keith Borg-Micallef “the lectures in this interdepartmental programme culminate in a holistic approach which is crucial for those passionate about literature, film and the arts”. Another student, Matthew Saliba, describes the originality of the postgraduate degree in these terms: “The fact that the past is compared and contrasted with the present gives the chance to study certain aspects of the literary canon.” According to Meike Meier “there is really something in it for everyone” and Anna Marie Galea says “I truly cannot recommend this course enough for people with a love for literature and for learning!”

For further information visit www.um.edu.mt/arts/overview/PMALTCFTT2-2012-3-O or send an email to [email protected]

To access a list of all courses visit www.um.edu.mt/registrar/prospective/admissions and to apply online visit www.um.edu.mt/apply. Course finder: www.um.edu.mt/courses