Students from the modules ‘Writing Utopia and Dystopia’ and ‘Women Writing the 21st Century’ presented papers in the Wren Library, Lincoln Cathedral, on 30th April 2014 to an audience of over 30. The papers were organised into four panels: ‘Utopian Societies and Fallen Worlds’, ‘Femininity, Gender and Form’, ‘Women, the Body and the Gaze’ and ‘Utopianism, Consciousness and Metaphysics’. The papers were professionally delivered and provoked lively discussion. Our Visiting Professor, John Drakakis, who was in attendance commented on the high standard of the papers. Congratulations to all our presenters!

We’re really looking forward to the Term 1 symposium, which will be held on Wednesday 8th January 2014. Papers reflecting work from the MA options Literary Theory in the 21st Century and London Now will form the symposium panels.

London Now panel

Our second symposium of the year took place in the Wren Library in Lincoln Cathedral. This is the first time we have held a symposium in the Cathedral and it definitely lived up to expectation – see the photos under the ‘Symposia’ tab.

This year we heard paper presentations from the Literary Theory in the 21st Century module, which were organised into three panels: 1) Trauma Theory and the Gothic 2) 21st Century Fiction: New Readings 3) Beyond Anthropocentrism: Humans, Animals and the Posthuman. The papers were great, demonstrating originality, impressive research skills and genuine intellectual curiosity. Our visiting Professor, John Drakakis, who gave feedback on the papers, was very impressed with the standard of work.

The symposium finished with a buffet lunch and wine in the Chapter House. All in all it was a great day, and wonderful to have some prospective MA students in attendance too.

The Term 2 MA in English Studies and MA in 21st Century Literature symposium took place yesterday. There were panels on 21st Century Literary Theory, Nineteenth Century Life Writing and contemporary representations of London (‘London Now’). The symposium was lively and stimulating and students’ papers were engaging and well presented. Have a look at the photos under on the ‘Symposia’ page – more photos to follow.

The MA in 21st Century Literature appears to be unique in the UK, and quite possibly the world, so we are very excited to be delivering it for the first time this year.  Teaching will start on Wednesday 28th September.

This year, the options ‘Reading Trauma in the 21st Century’, ‘Contemporary American Fiction’, ‘London Now’ and ‘Literary Theory in the 21st Century’ will be running alongside core modules ‘English Now 1: Poetry and Drama’ and ‘English Now 2: Fiction and Life Writing’.

The semester B MA symposium is scheduled for week 12 on Wednesday 13th April, 10-1. More details to follow …

This semester’s MA English symposium will feature both creative writing readings and academic presentations and will finish off with a buffet lunch and a festive glass of wine!

Teaching for MA English Studies began on Wednesday 27th September. This semester the core unit English Now 1: Poetry and Drama is running alongside two options: Contemporary American Fiction and Literature in the Thatcher Years.  For more information, please email the new Programme Leader Sian Adiseshiah: sadiseshiah@lincoln.ac.uk