English Literature and Religion with Foundation Year

If you enjoy seeing things from different perspectives and exploring new ways of thinking, Literature and Religion is the degree for you.

On this varied and flexible joint honours degree your learning will never be confined to academic theory. We always relate the topics we discuss back to issues which affect peoples lives. In your Religion modules this means tackling complex and sometimes contraversial issues which can be approached through religion and theology, such as:
Wealth and poverty
Relationships between races and genders
The influence of the media
The role of ethics in life and death decisions
Environmental issues
The morality of war.
We see theology not as just an abstract concept but as something rooted in the realities of everyday life, and our search for meaning within it.

In English Literature we believe that words matter. Books have and will continue to change the world, and we explore texts in the context of the societies and cultures which surround them. You will go beyond the traditional canon of literature to study texts from many different genres and contexts. You will engage with classic texts, but may also find yourself reading:
Native American writing
Prison narratives
Radical poetry
LGBTQIA+ rights literature
Experimental writing
Literature of the Caribbean.
Field trips, guest speakers and events will enhance your learning throughout your degree. You will also have the opportunity to take part in workshops, writing sessions and readings through the York Literature Festival.

We are committed to helping you gain professional skills and experience, which is why this course includes a dedicated employability module. This allows you to gain work experience in a setting relevant to your career goals.