MA Programme Language and Culture

1. MA ProgrammeLanguage andCulture Dept. of English and American Studies St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia http://languageandculture.edublogs.org

2. Master of Arts in English • The M.A. in Language & Culture serves as a continuation of the liberal education in language, literature and culture at the B.A. level as well as a preparation for doctoral study (Ph.D.) • It builds upon the knowledge acquired during the 4 years of study at the B.A. level BUT offers a totally new course of study at a higher level.

3. Why language and culture? • Texts (written, visual & graphic texts: literary, film, journalist, ads or multimodal products for the digital and social media) • Language • Literature & Culture

4. What’s new? New Fields and Approaches • anthropological linguistics, sociolinguistics, corpus linguistics • semantics and pragmatics • language and cultural diversity (courses in Irish/ Scottish languages & literatures) • digital humanities • postcolonial and comparative literature & approaches • contemporary (postmodern) literature • interdisciplinary, cross-cultural approaches • pragmatic – development of practical and professional skills needed for employment

5. Boosting creativity and innovation: preparation for the cultural & creative industries Core cultural industries: broadcasting, film industries, print and electronic publishing, advertising, marketing & public relations, social media etc Why do the cultural & creative industries matter? - they create & circulate informational and entertainment texts in the global & digital age • manage creativity and knowledge - agents of economic, social & cultural change - significant sources of wealth & employment in information societies

6. Major fields of study for the cultural & creative industries – course offerings • Literature: 21st c Literature: Re-writing & re-creation; Digital literature & culture, Children’s literature, Postmodern literature, Postcolonial literatures in English • Film studies: American cult movies; Popular genres in literature & film, Shakespeare on stage & screen • Digital and visual culture:Digital culture, Drama into Film • Popular culture: North Am. pop culture, Gendering popular culture East and West • Multimodal Writing – text/ image/ sound – creating multimodal products by means of different media and technologies such as websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, writing for digital & social media, multimedia performances

7. Why take this course of study? - to enhance your communicative competence • to embrace new visual and digital literacy skills – the new wave of communication • to expand your knowledge about Anglo-American linguistic, literary & cultural heritage - to embark on comparative and critical ways of thinking - to upgrade your research & analytical skills (analysis of culture, language, literature, and media) - to sharpen your skills for creative and professional writing in the digital age

8. Language & Communication - Pragmatics of communication - Anthropological linguistics - Languages in contact Sociolinguistics Contrastive linguistics Thesis writing Literature & Culture - Critical approaches to literature - Digital culture - Multimodal writing - 21st C. literature: Re-writing & re-creation -Postmodern literature & culture -Thesis writing Curriculum of Study: both wide and flexible; 2 core modules

9. Kornelia Slavova Tatyana Stoicheva Evgenia Pancheva Alex. Glavanakova Ralitsa Muharska Zelma Catalan Georgi Nyagolov Angel Igov Vladimir Trendafilov Plamen Gaptov Palma Zlateva Neli Tincheva Maria Georgieva Mira Kovatcheva Hristo Stamenov Snezhina Dimitrova Rositsa Ishpekova Alexandra Bagasheva Emilia Slavova Lika Pishtalova Tsvetomira Venkova Irena Dimova Bozhil Hristov Lubina Gagova 34 elective coursesGraduate Programme Faculty

10. Structure of the MA programme: • The student is free to choose his/her courses from a wide variety of 34 elective courses • Special courses for non-specialists (introductory courses in linguistic, literary and cultural analysis) • Options to study another foreign language • Duration - 3 semesters, including the writing of the MA thesis • Flexible format: blended form of teaching (combination of seminars and electronic form) • MA thesis (approx. 60pp.)

11. Additional options • A semester or two semesters abroad: Erasmus exchange with MA programs at Zaragoza, Lille-3, and Saarbruecken Universities • Cooperation with departmental alumni society (former students – now experts in advertising, copywriting, editing, PR, cultural management etc) • Internship possibilities (cultural forums and events such as film/theatre festivals held in Sofia, publishing industry, NGOs, European programs under the Erasmus+ scheme)

12. Professional career development Career paths include (but not limited to): • teaching general and specialized English • wide range of jobs in the cultural & creative industries: media, publishing, advertising, public relations and marketing • public administration • European and international institutions • European and international companies

13. How to apply 2 application sessions: May and September 2014 Application form (available at Dean’s Office) • 30 leva processing fee • Certificate - 4th year student obtainable from Students’ Office • Submit the 3 documents at the Dean’s office (Gabriela Peeva) • Interviews with candidates will take place on May 12 (Monday) 10 am, Conf. Hall 2 & in Sept (details to be announced) Contact co-directors: maria.mageorg@gmail.com kornelias@abv.bg

14. Visit us at: • http://languageandculture.edublogs.org To learn more about : • Course content • Course structure • Students’ testimonials • New events & postings • Further information