Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literatures and Cultures and Italian

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

This joint honours degree focuses on the place of religion in society, both in the present and in the past. The sociology aspect of the degree explores dimensions of the social world, including actions, structures, beliefs, power and representation. The course is equally weighted toward both subjects.

You will acquire a solid foundation in several religious traditions. In sociology there is particular emphasis on sociological theory and its application to real-world concerns, including issues of ethnicity, beliefs and multiculturalism. The wide-ranging, flexible curriculum offers progressive intellectual challenges and consolidates your experience throughout.

In year one you will have one mandatory unit in theology and one in sociology, together with four optional units of your choice (two from each subject).

In years two and three you will continue taking optional units in both subjects, covering a diverse range of topics, which may include Christian History and Theology; Modern Slavery; Perspectives of Power; Islam; Buddhism; Judaism; and Environment and Society. 

This course gives you the opportunity to study two distinct disciplines:

• Philosophy, which questions everyday assumptions and enquires into the foundations of other forms of knowledge;
• English literature, which involves the close, analytical study of poetry, fiction and drama.

You will learn the fundamental principles of logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and political philosophy, and study English literature in its full extent and diversity from the medieval period to the present day – including work on individual authors, topics, and genres. You will also be able to explore your own interests by choosing from a range of stimulating optional and research-led subjects.

The curriculum is designed to enable you to benefit from the research expertise of members of staff from both disciplines.

This degree combines theatre with the study of Italian, the language of a culture that has had a lasting impact on Europe. The course offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges and a wide range of options that will allow you to pursue your own interests.

Both departments encourage strong synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment as staff incorporates new research into their classes.

The theatre course will allow you to develop your understanding and practical skills by exploring critical and historical frameworks alongside practical workshops. There are opportunities to engage with professional theatre-makers and our museum-accredited archive, the Theatre Collection.

For Italian, as well as following a structured language course, you will explore Italy's rich history and culture, choosing from a range of options that focus on literature, cinema, thought, politics and linguistics. You will spend your third year abroad in an Italian-speaking country, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge. Visit Global Opportunities to find out more about where you can study abroad.

This joint honours degree allows you to study two complementary disciplines, both of which ask you to think carefully about texts in their wider cultural and historical contexts. This course combines the broad historical knowledge and well-developed research skills gained in a history degree with the in-depth cultural awareness and advanced linguistic skills that develop through studying a modern language.

You will join two departments with top researchers in a great diversity of fields and will be encouraged to develop expertise and research skills relevant to both disciplines while also considering the relationships between them.

Your third year will be spent abroad, where you will have the opportunity to explore these intersections in the distinct cultural and social context of your host country while studying or working. Those who choose to study at a university will be urged to select history-based options while those who opt for work placements will be encouraged to seek placements in the heritage sector. For further details of year abroad opportunities visit Global Opportunities.

In your final year you will get the chance to explore these intersections independently in a dissertation. You will be required to write a historically-minded dissertation using some sources written in Portuguese.

The combined knowledge of history, language and culture will mean you are uniquely placed to foster and to lead intercultural communication across national boundaries, a skill that is increasingly sought after in a globalised economy.

This degree combines theatre with the study of French, which is spoken by hundreds of millions of people around the world. The course offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges and a wide range of options that will allow you to pursue your own interests.

Both departments encourage strong synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment as staff incorporate new research into their classes.

The theatre course will allow you to develop your understanding and practical skills by exploring critical and historical frameworks alongside practical workshops. There are opportunities to engage with professional theatre makers and our museum-accredited archive, the Theatre Collection.

For French, as well as following a structured language course, you will build your practical skills and explore critical and historical frameworks through literature, film, history, thought, politics, linguistics and culture. You will spend your third year abroad in a French-speaking country, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge. Visit Global Opportunities to find out more.

When you return to Bristol for your final year you will have the opportunity to undertake an independent practical or written research project and/or a work placement in the creative industries.