{"id":2049,"date":"2021-06-22T16:57:48","date_gmt":"2021-06-22T15:57:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/?p=2049"},"modified":"2025-03-21T16:45:39","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T16:45:39","slug":"2049","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/2021\/06\/22\/2049\/","title":{"rendered":"English Literature: My Experience So Far"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; next_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_module=&#8221;322&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=&#8221;322&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; menu_id=&#8221;7&#8243; submenu_direction=&#8221;downwards&#8221; fullwidth_menu=&#8221;off&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; module_class=&#8221;main-navigation&#8221; \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; specialty=&#8221;on&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; next_background_color=&#8221;#1d1d1d&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; specialty_columns=&#8221;2&#8243;][et_pb_row_inner locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;2_3&#8243;][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; title=&#8221;on&#8221; meta=&#8221;on&#8221; author=&#8221;on&#8221; date=&#8221;on&#8221; categories=&#8221;on&#8221; comments=&#8221;on&#8221; featured_image=&#8221;on&#8221; featured_placement=&#8221;above&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_background=&#8221;off&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Why did I choose to study English?<\/h3>\n<p>I chose English for the reason that most people do; I love books. I love reading books, I love talking about books, and I love learning about books. It goes without saying that English literature is a very reading-heavy course, and so it\u2019s important going into your first year that you\u2019re prepared to spend a lot of your time reading! I liked this; the books on the course are interesting, and it didn\u2019t always feel like I was working when I got invested in the stories I was reading.<\/p>\n<h3>Why did I choose English Literature at Manchester?<\/h3>\n<p>I chose Manchester not because of the course specifically, but because of the city. I obviously paid some attention to the course, and I was particularly interested in the medieval aspects of first year, but my main focus was on the city. This was a wise decision! Manchester is one of the liveliest student cities, with amazing nightlife pre-pandemic, and with plenty of amazing bars, restaurants and days out already back open. For example, the Whitworth Gallery has some really interesting artworks, and a cute caf\u00e9 with a perfect view overlooking all the squirrels in Whitworth Park! <br \/>Manchester also has an array of student jobs available if you\u2019re looking for part-time work alongside your degree. I\u2019ve done a range of jobs from bar work to working in schools, so I can safely say there\u2019s something for everyone!<\/p>\n<h3>What has my experience of the course been?<\/h3>\n<p>Obviously, my experience of the course has been different to those in previous years because of coronavirus. Most of my learning experience has been through online lectures and seminars, and although I\u2019ve enjoyed the flexibility of pre-recorded lectures, I can\u2019t wait to get back into the University properly! I&#8217;ve found that the workload is extremely manageable, and the work is interesting, so most of the time it feels like I\u2019m just doing something I enjoy anyway! <br \/>All of the English Lecturers are lovely too, with too many favourites to name! They\u2019re all engaging and fun, and I find them really approachable whenever I\u2019ve wanted to ask questions.<\/p>\n<h3>What has been the most interesting part of the course?<\/h3>\n<p>For me, I\u2019ve gotten extremely interested in medieval literature over the course of my degree, which has surprised me. The first year Beowulf module with Dr James Paz covered some really interesting topics, including the role of nature in medieval literature, the role of women, and the role of the \u2018monstrous other\u2019. This module asked us to challenge our preconceptions of medieval literature, and to look at it from a fresh and modern perspective.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; in_same_term=&#8221;off&#8221; show_prev=&#8221;on&#8221; show_next=&#8221;on&#8221; prev_text=&#8221;Previous&#8221; next_text=&#8221;Next&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; show_avatar=&#8221;on&#8221; show_reply=&#8221;on&#8221; show_count=&#8221;on&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;51&#8243; header_line_height_tablet=&#8221;2&#8243; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_icon_placement=&#8221;right&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; button_use_icon=&#8221;off&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; \/][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Related posts&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>Related<\/h1>\n\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; area=&#8221;sidebar-1&#8243; orientation=&#8221;left&#8221; show_border=&#8221;off&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Connect Title&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.90&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#1d1d1d&#8221; module_class=&#8221;footer-section&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; global_module=&#8221;380&#8243;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; allow_player_pause=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_1=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_1=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_2=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_2=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_3=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_3=&#8221;off&#8221; make_fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; use_custom_width=&#8221;off&#8221; width_unit=&#8221;on&#8221; use_custom_gutter=&#8221;off&#8221; make_equal=&#8221;off&#8221; module_id=&#8221;footer-row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.89&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Contact Us Title&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>Contact Us<\/h4>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Contact Us&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; text_text_color=&#8221;#aaaaaa&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;left&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; module_class=&#8221;contact-us&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>+44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Find Us Title&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>Find Us<\/h4>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Address&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;left&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; module_id=&#8221;address&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.manchester.ac.uk\/discover\/maps\/interactive-map\/\">The University of Manchester<br \/>Oxford Rd<br \/>Manchester<br \/>M13 9PL<br \/>UK<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Connect Title&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>Connect With Us<\/h4>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=&#8221;Social Media&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ul class=\"inlineList footer-socialIcons\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<li><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uomhums\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/assets.manchester.ac.uk\/phase1\/templates\/images\/icon-facebook-50.png\" alt=\"Facebook page for The University of Manchester\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" \/><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <\/a><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/li>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<li><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/uomhums\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/assets.manchester.ac.uk\/phase1\/templates\/images\/icon-twitter-50.png\" alt=\"Twitter page for The University of Manchester\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" \/><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <\/a><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/li>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<li><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCq5dDNH13gxGSL3RIW1DcTA\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/assets.manchester.ac.uk\/phase1\/templates\/images\/icon-youtube-50.png\" alt=\"YouTube page for The University of Manchester\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" \/><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <\/a><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/li>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/p>\n<li><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uomhums\/\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/assets.manchester.ac.uk\/phase1\/templates\/images\/icon-instagram-50.svg\" alt=\"Instagram page for The University of Manchester\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" \/><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <\/a><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/li>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Undergraduate English Literature student Holly shares with us her experience on the course so far.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4628,"featured_media":2050,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,226,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts","category-english-literature-and-creative-writing","category-undergraduate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4628"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2049"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2052,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049\/revisions\/2052"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}