MA in English Studies

The foundation courses and the pre-specialization module give a deeper insight into the literary, cultural, historical and linguistics aspects of the English language than courses in this field at the BA level. Students will also get an introduction into digital humanities. Another great strength of the programme is the Practical Skills Module, where students can further develop their already advanced English language skills and acquire competences in the organization of conferences and workshops. Students can specialize in English Literature and Culture, English Applied Linguistics, or the Society and Culture of English-Speaking Countries from the first semester onwards. 10 credits are allocated to elective courses or to an internship, and students also have to write a thesis (20 credits).

Brief description of the specialization modules

English Literature and Culture

The aim is to acquaint students with a broadly defined concept of English literary culture, including its history, major trends, critical schools and, of course, its most representative works and authors. The works of authors from different periods and from different parts of the English-speaking world will be analysed (England, the US, Scotland, Ireland, Canada). Social and cultural phenomena in 21st-century films will also be explored.

Detailed textual analysis with its associated historical dimension constitutes the core activity in the literature classes. Our choice of readings has been partly determined by the academic profile of the department and the religious mission of the University. As a result, the program places particular emphasis on Biblical and Christian traditions and explores, among other issues, the complex and continuing presence of the Bible within English literature.

English Applied Linguistics

The aim is to train students in various fields of applied linguistics such as individual differences in language learning, sociolinguistics, contrastive linguistics and language technology, bilingualism, multilingualism and language acquisition, English as a global language, lexicography and terminology, and corpus linguistics. The development of research skills in these fields is supported by courses in qualitative and quantitative research methods and statistics.

Society and Culture of English-Speaking Countries

The main focus of this specialization module is on modern political ideologies and international relations in the context of the society and culture of English-speaking countries. Political ideologies such as nationalism, feminism, democracy and totalitarianism in an Anglo-Saxon context will be explored in depth, along with the international relations between Hungary and the English-speaking world and the global engagement of English-speaking countries. Courses are also offered on historiography, historical memory, cancel culture, modern spirituality and culture, utopia and dystopia. Social and cultural phenomena in 21st-century films will also be explored.