Literature M.A. Degree at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

M.A. in Foreign Literature at Ben-Gurion University

Kafka, Shakespeare and Fanon

In BGU'S M.A. in Foreign Literature track students focus mainly on American and English literatures. The aim of the program is to examine both canonical and esoteric texts from a scientific perspective. The students examine works of literature from various points of view – new criticism, post-colonial, feminist, psychoanalytical, Marxist etc. Book lovers can find in this program an opportunity to use tools from different disciplines, such as: philosophy, sociology and anthropology, in order to bring classic and modern texts into a new light.

The Program

Although this Master's program focuses mainly on American and English literatures, several classes may discuss texts from other parts of the world such as India, sub Saharan Africa or Latin America. Most courses focus on specific periods and places, such as: Renaissance England, antebellum US, Post WW II Britain, Victorian England, 20th Century Prague Circle and more.

Study Structure

The Department of Foreign Literatures offers both thesis and non-thesis tracks. The tracks are designed to be completed in two years. Students who wish to complete a thesis must take the methodologies class in the first year. In addition, they must find an advisor and submit their research proposal before the end of the first year. Students of the non thesis track can either study only literature or combine it with linguistics for M.A. degree.

All classes, exams and papers are entirely in English. In cases that texts written in languages other than English are studied, students will be required to have the English translations of these works.

Curriculum

* Feminist Texts
* Renaissance Drama
* Jews and the Holy Land in Victorian Literature
* The Works of Franz Kafka
* Periodical Literature
* Methodologies and Literature Research

Faculty

Faculty members at Ben-Gurion University include: a Stanford graduate who specializes in Early American Literature; an Oxford graduate who researches the image of the holy land in Victorian Literature; an expert on Renaissance drama; a researcher of 19th and 20th Century American Literature; and others.

Admissions

Candidates must have a GPA of 80 (3.0) or above to be accepted to the program. For the thesis track a GPA of 85 is required. In case students did not complete their B.A. in an English speaking program they will be required to pass an English proficiency test.

Academic Diploma

Graduates receive a M.A. degree in Foreign Literatures from Ben-Gurion University.