Description
The Master’s in Research into Literary Studies (REEL) includes theory-based, methodology-based and applied course units. It is geared towards research-oriented professions and draws first and foremost on the scientific output of the university lecturer-researchers who contribute to the programme of study.
There is a choice between three possible subject options. Two of these options, the ‘Literature and Human Sciences’ and the ‘World Literatures and Arts’ options, are exclusively dedicated to research. The third option, the ‘Applied Literatures’ option, offers a mixed pathway, combining an introduction to research with the active preparation for competitive examinations for the recruitment of secondary school or university teachers (‘CAPES’ and ‘Agrégation’ respectively).
Objectives
The Master’s in Research into Literary Studies is aimed at any student of modern or classical literature who wishes to gain an introduction to French literature (from the Middle Ages to contemporary literature).
The programme is also aimed to students seeking an introduction to a linguistic approach to texts and to the fields of classical literature, comparative literature and Francophone and Occitan literature in relation with the human sciences and the arts.
The Master’s programme in Research into Literary Studies offers a solid and coherent programme of study in the fields of literature, the humanities and the arts, with a view to doctoral studies and/or preparation for competitive recruitment examinations for teachers (‘CAPES’ and ‘Agrégation’).
This programme of study is mindful of wanting to deliver sophisticated multidisciplinary and artistic cultural knowledge. It intends first and foremost to train students in research skills, the development of a bibliography and the exploitation of resources for documentary research in French and in the other main languages of study. The programme provides an introduction to key research questions in the field, raising students’ awareness of the epistemological issues there and exploring questions of theory and method. Students also learn to write a dissertation and to organise collective projects (study days, colloquiums, journal issues etc.).
Training content
Two years of study: Master 1 (M1) and Master 2 (M2)
The programme of study lasts two years (Master 1 and Master 2 respectively) and offers an introduction to research and preparation for competitive recruitment competitions. There are three unit blocks: a common core curriculum, a cross-disciplinary block and an options block.
The common core curriculum includes classes on literary theory, literary history and text analysis (in Master 1) as well as training in individual and group research (Master 1). There is also a dissertation element (Master 1 and Master 2).
The cross-disciplinary unit block concentrates on digital skills and documentary resources (Master 1) as well as on modern foreign languages (Master 1 and Master 2). In addition there is a research ‘taster’ seminar unit, which is closely linked to the programme of study offered by the Doctoral School (Master 1).
The options block offers a choice of three options. These correspond closely to the choice of seminar units offered by the programme of study (Master 1 and Master 2).
- The option ‘Literature and Human Sciences’ offers literature seminar units related to history, philosophy and sociology.
- The option ‘World Arts and Literatures’ offers literature seminar units related to music, mixed-media art and cinema, from an international perspective.
- The option ‘Applied Literatures’ includes one or two research seminar units but also offers preparatory classes for competitive recruitment competitions. These classes are merged with the Master’s for Future Teachers (Master MEEF) and preparatory classes for the competitive recruitment competition for university teachers, known as ‘Agrégation’ (in Master 2).
Using these options as a starting point, students are invited to construct a coherent subject pathway revolving around their research project. In order to choose a given option students must enrol for at least two of the relevant seminar units. Students are free to select a third seminar unit block of their choice. Students may also choose to follow a seminar unit block from outside of their semester of study.
Master 1: First year of two-year Master’s programme
Teaching in the first year remains generalised in order to identify the epistemological, methodological and practical issues at play within the discipline. But it is also specialised, with students selecting a course unit from among the options.
Master 2: Second year of two-year Master’s programme
Students choose their specialism in the second year of this two-year programme. In the first semester there is closer study within individual seminar units, and with regard to the dissertation for the first two options. For the ‘Applied Literature’ option, preparation for the competitive recruitment examinations also intensifies. The second semester is entirely reserved for the completion of the dissertation. The Master’s degree is only awarded to students following an oral examination before a panel of judges, which is on the subject of their personal research project.
Access condition
Find information regarding enrolment procedures and the supporting documents to be provided, according to your profile and your level of studies :
Trainings
Dissertation
The principal objective of this programme of study is the production of a research-based dissertation. Progress is monitored by continuous evaluation from one semester to the next: subject matter, corpora and bibliography (Semester 1), plan and research question (Semester 2), written extract (Semester 3) and the final write up and oral examination (Semester 4). Students learn to dedicate themselves fully to a research project. The most successful students may go on to pursue further research-based study as doctoral candidates.
Career pathways
The programme of study offered by the Master’s in Research into Literary Studies can evolve into career prospects either in secondary school teaching within the private or public sectors, or in other professions requiring sound literary skills (e.g. journalism, publishing, professions related to culture and the book trade).
A third possibility is the pursuit of doctoral studies.
The programme thus meets two objectives: it is both generalist and specialised.