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English, Drama and Film is a large School in the BA degree
programme
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School is staffed by some of the key critics and thinkers in Ireland
There is a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and
student support
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Subject identity: variety and breadth—think of English as plural
and contested spaces
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Good subject combinations with English include:
languages, history, philosophy, Greek and Roman civilization,
History of Art
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A lot of reading and watching!
Develop informed and critical responses to a range of written
and performed texts
Engage analytically with the language and style of given texts
Cultivate research techniques, using paper-based and online
tools – the library becomes a home from home, and library
online resources follow you home
Begin to assess the origin, source, impact, significance and
making of literary, dramatic and film artifacts
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To develop and enhance understanding of a range of
writing in English
To introduce research and writing skills for the study of
English at university level
To foster a sense of commitment to, and interest in, all
aspects of literary culture
To establish a sense of the historical basis of English
and writing in English
To encourage students to question, debate, enquire, and
to develop confidence in their ideas and expression
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How are texts, plays and films produced?
What do we do when we read and watch?
How do we decide that one text is “better” than
another?
What is the difference between reading and
interpretation/criticism?
Do literature and culture reflect or create reality?
How do literature and culture represent the world?
Are literature and culture political, moral, or ethical?
Can literature and culture affect the world?
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Students intending to major in English should pre-select English
on the CAO form
Once you have been offered a place, we offer four modules in your
first year:
◦ Literature in Context 1 (ENG 10050)
◦ Literature in Context 2 (ENG 10060)
◦ Literary Genre (ENG 10030)
◦ Coming of Age Narratives (ENG 10090)
The first 2 are compulsory for students intending to pursue English
(joint, major or minor) in their BA Programme.
We strongly recommend that students intending to pursue English
(joint/major) English take all 4 Level 1 modules
Other modules are available in Drama and Film – see prospectus
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Novels, plays, poems, critical writings
American, Irish and English texts
Texts from the 14th century to the 21st century
Popular and canonical works
A range of contextual and historical materials
Different media – visual, film, electronic
See individual module descriptors for more details.
 Range
of types of assessment – students
learn in different ways – group and
individual assessments: presentations,
journals, portfolios, writing exercises,
conventional essays, and examinations
 Students develop independent learning
skills
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Lectures (Years 1 & 2): usually 50 minutes long. For
example, one lecturer speaking to all Stage 1 students of
English – in English Stage 1, this means about 500 students.
Lecturers may use multimedia of various kinds as part of the
lecture, and sometimes add follow-up notes online.
Workshops (Years 1 & 2): groups of about 20 students.
Workshops are linked to the lectures and are an opportunity
to discuss and debate issues in detail.
◦ In the two “Literature in Context” modules (Year 1), you will work in
teams of 5-8 students on specific projects.
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Seminars (Year 3): groups of about 15-20 students working
on specialist topics
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Year 2: We offer a range of topics through what we
call “core” courses. These are taught through lectures
and workshops, and form the platform from which you
choose your final-year options.
Year 3: We offer a range of specialized topics taught
exclusively through seminars (class size of 15-20
students).
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The School offers a series of Master’s degrees – many
of these continue the thematic streams from the BA
(Renaissance, Medieval, Anglo-Irish, American, Modern
Literature, Gender and Writing).
On completion of an MA, you may then specialize even
further to do a PhD.
Your BA degree places you well to consider a range of
subsequent careers.
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Single Honours English
(DN511)
BA Degree Joint Honours Full-Time (DN500)/
(DN501/2 part-time)
English with Drama
(DN512)
English with Film
(DN513)
For further information on English, Drama and Film,
see our website: www.ucd.ie/englishanddrama
If you’re sure, pre-select to
guarantee your place!
We wish you every success in your
examinations and in the choices you make,
and look forward to working with you in the
years ahead should you choose to study
English, Drama or Film.