English Literature and Politics (Placement Year)

**Why Lancaster?** <br/>- Develop your critical voice through exploring literature alongside a wide range of contemporary political issues <br/><br/><br/>- Discuss with published literary critics and experts in politics in Britain, Europe, the Middle East and beyond in regular small-group seminars <br/><br/><br/>- Get involved with our student-run literary journals: Cake, Lux, Flash and Errant <br/><br/><br/>- Hear from visiting speakers hosted by our Politics Society and at our many literary events, on campus, online and in Lancasters historic Castle Quarter <br/><br/><br/>- Graduate with skills in analysis, communication, and persuasion that will make you stand out in the job market <br/><br/><br/>Explore how both literature and politics address fundamental human questions such as right and wrong, power, and freedom. Learn to read literature with attention to political themes and explore politics with attention to literary themes. This interdisciplinary programme offers a distinctive way to engage with the skills of analysis and critique. <br/><br/>**A fresh approach to understanding the issues of our time** <br/>In literature you will explore many and varied social, political and environmental issues. You might, for instance, investigate themes of Englishness and Empire in Dickens, or the strangeness of power and law in Kafka. <br/><br/>In politics, youll be guided by experts who actively contribute to national and global policy debates through our in-house research centres like the Lancaster University China Centre. Grappling with a wide range of pressing contemporary issues. from the war in Ukraine to the cost of living and climate crises, youll build a future-facing outlook on our world. <br/><br/>**Developing your skills and expanding your horizons** <br/>Beyond your formal studies, youll be encouraged to broaden your perspective through a wide range of events and travel opportunities. In literature, some modules incorporate trips to local theatres, or to the nearby Lake District; and the University offers short study trips abroad past destinations have included New York and India. <br/><br/>You might also choose to pursue an internship with the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, based in our Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion. This could allow you to build on the analytical skills and political knowledge you develop in your studies by working on a real-world research project. Previous interns have worked on projects with think tanks, charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).<br/><br/>**Your Placement Year**<br/>Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years.<br/><br/>A placement year is an excellent way to...<br/>• try out a role that you may be interested in as a career path<br/>• start to build your professional network (some placement students are offered permanent roles to return to after they graduate)<br/>• develop skills, knowledge and experience to put you ahead of the field when you graduate<br/><br/>Youll spend your third year in a paid, graduate-level position, where you’ll work for between nine and twelve months in the type of role that you might be considering for after you graduate. A very wide range of companies and organisations offer placements across all sectors.<br/><br/>You will still be a Lancaster University student during your placement and we’ll keep in touch to check how you are getting on.<br/><br/>The university will use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills.<br/><br/>If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year.