4 min readExplore the history and mystery of the Gothic mode, its origins and emergence through a range of cultural mediums including novels, films and television with MA English Studies (The Gothic) thanks to Manchester Metropolitan University – with an exciting and interactive Distance Learning route available.
In recent years, the Gothic has perhaps become more pertinent than ever, with a range of television programmes, novels and websites inspired by its themes emerging. Given its connections to horror, mystery, dystopia and dark social commentary, the Gothic is a fascinating and fruitful subject of study – MA English Studies (The Gothic) at Manchester Metropolitan University is delivered by a specialist team of tutors, including staff from the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies.
The Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University is one of the biggest centres of its kind in the world, putting Manchester on the map as a recognised hub of Gothic expertise – with the city selected by the International Gothic Association as the destination for their 2018 conference as well as hosting the annual Gothic Manchester Festival. In turn, MA English Studies (The Gothic) is an opportunity to learn from this contemporary hub of extensive Gothic knowledge, thanks to the flexible and challenging Masters course providing students with the opportunity to graduate with a bracketed specialism in the study of the Gothic. Students are also able to suit their particular Gothic interests, as a range of module options are available.
From the earliest Gothic novels and classic vampires to horror hybrids and modern monsters, MA English Studies (The Gothic) embraces Gothic literature and culture from the eighteenth century to the present. Chronological and historical insight are key features, as the content considers early incarnations of the mode, as well as current examples. Plays, novels, film and television will all be the subject of study, framed by theoretical analyses and consideration of a variety of socio-cultural perspectives.
It is therefore little wonder that the availability of a Distance Learning route for the course offers an exciting prospect. This involves the same course content as the on-campus option, delivered innovatively including online tutorials and discussion groups, with full-time and part-time options available. Comprehensive and interactive materials mean that learning at a distance is still a fully interactive experience, with a selection including videos, live slideshows, digitised readings, worksheets and synchronous discussion forums.
The Distance Learning prospect also means that students from across the world can take up this highly regarded course, from a location that suits them! Flexible study that can be co-ordinated around the individual’s time constraints and commitments is an advantage recognised by many. Alternately, students can combine online study with campus study, to suit their needs: for example, starting online in Autumn and switching to campus in Spring, or vice versa.
Head of the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies, Dr Linnie Blake explains:
“Manchester Metropolitan University’s Gothic-focused Masters has always attracted a mix of students from the UK and further afield. Taught during the evenings it replaces conventional classroom seminars with an online platform that enables students to debate, discuss, present and question from the comfort of their own homes whilst continuing to pursue their own lives and professions. Staff love teaching on it and it's proven more than popular with students, many of whom have gone on to PhD level study.”
Course tutor and one of the founding members of the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies Dr Xavier Aldana Reyes adds:
“I have personally very much enjoyed delivering the MA English Studies (The Gothic) online in the past. The possibility of sharing slides and my screen with students, as well as the chat interface, means that sessions run like virtual seminars. Our virtual learning environment (Moodle) is a great resource for further research on all the topics we cover, and all essential readings are either digitised for students or available as ebooks.”
For more information about MA English Studies (The Gothic), Distance Learning opportunities and a range of other MA English Studies options at Manchester Metropolitan University (including Contemporary Literature, Film and Theory), visit the website here.
By Emily Oldfield
Images: Shutterstock
