Master in Literature and Civilization

• Azzouz Amina , Senior Lecturer "B"
  
  a.azzouz@cu-maghnia.dz

This Master's program aims to introduce English language students to scientific research in the fields of British and American literature and civilization. It also seeks to train English teachers for secondary education and even the university level, whether in English departments or those of history and literature. To achieve this, the curriculum includes in-depth study of the history of England and Great Britain, British literary history, the history of its colonies and the Commonwealth, and finally, the history of its relations with the United States. All of these elements contribute to language mastery and the development of the specialization.

The knowledge expected to be acquired in this program includes distinguishing between the various historical stages of England and subsequently Great Britain. Additionally, it involves analyzing the different historical events that contributed to its development, from the Roman presence through to the present day. It also covers the mastery of concepts, ideologies, theories, ideas, and political, economic, social, and cultural movements that have shaped the developmental path of the Kingdom.

Accordingly, this program opens several prospects for students, such as scientific research (PhD), education, communication, and translation.

This Master's program aims to enable students to:

• Enrich and develop the knowledge previously acquired during their undergraduate studies in the field of British and American civilizations through the study of history and literature, as well as the enhancement of their English language skills.
• Learn how to conduct scientific research in the fields of civilization and literature, specifically in the domain of history (writing dissertations and theses).

As for the profile of the graduate of this program, they are expected to be able to:

• Analyze any historical event related to Great Britain and the United States using various studied approaches, with the ability to link this analysis to other fields such as linguistics, literature, the arts, and others.

Achieve a high level of proficiency in the English language, both written and spoken, qualifying them to pursue career paths in scientific research, secondary or university education, translation, or journalism.

The University Centre of Maghnia offers the opportunity to enroll in its undergraduate programs (Bachelor's degree) for various categories of both Algerian and international students, in accordance with the applicable regulatory terms and conditions:

1. High School Graduates (Baccalaureate Holders) Prospective students holding a Bachelor’s degree (Baccalaureate) or an equivalent international qualification may apply according to the criteria and procedures updated annually by the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
2. Holders of Prior University Degrees (Classic System)

Candidates seeking to advance their studies or specialize further may apply based on available pedagogical capacity and ministerial guidelines. This includes:

• Holders of Prior University Degrees License degree (Classic System).
• Holders of the DEUABaccalaureate + 3 years Classic System)

3. Second Degree Candidates

Students who already hold a university degree may apply for a second degree programsubject to seat availability and specific departmental requirements

3. International Students ("Study in Algeria" Program)

UCM warmly welcomes international applicants. Admission is granted based on the following:

• The candidate must hold a degree in Baccalaureate degree or an internationally recognized equivalent
• Registration via the official ""Study in Algeria"" (Study in Algeria).
• Prior attainment of an Equivalence Certificate from the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Important Notes Regarding Tuition Fees:

• Tuition-Free: Education is free for Algerian residents and international students receiving official scholarships from the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education
• Fee-Paying: International students under the "Study in Algeria" program (non-scholarship) are subject to annual fees fees covering tuition, accommodation, and catering, determined by current regulatory decrees.

The Master’s program in Literature and Civilization spans two academic years (M1 and M2), following the LMD system (Licence – Master – Doctorate). The program is designed to provide students with advanced theoretical knowledge and methodological training in the fields of British and American literature and civilization. It focuses on the study of literary trends, cultural contexts, and historical developments, while equipping students with strong skills in academic writing and scientific research. It also allows students to specialize according to their academic and professional interests, preparing them for career paths in research, teaching, cultural studies, and related fields.

First Year (M1):

The first year provides core common courses that ensure all students receive a solid foundation in the study of literature and civilization. The program includes the following modules:

• British Literature
• American Literature
• British Civilization
• American Civilization
• Literary Theory and Criticism
• Scientific Research Methodology

This year focuses on developing critical, analytical, and research skills through theoretical lectures, seminars, and supervised research projects. It aims to enhance the students' ability to engage with literary texts, cultural contexts, and theoretical frameworks, while improving their academic writing and methodological competencies. By the end of the first year, students must validate all their credits to progress to the second year (M2).

Second Year (M2) :

In the second year, students build upon the foundations of the first year and follow a specialized track according to their academic orientation and professional goals. Possible areas of specialization include (depending on the institution's offerings):

• British Literature and Civilization
• American Literature and Civilization
• Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies
• Postcolonial Literatures and Civilizations
• Gender and Literature
• Literary Theory and Critical Approaches
• Narratology and Discourse Analysis

  Program Organization

  The program follows a semester-based structure (four semesters over two years).

  • Each semester consists of teaching units: core, methodological, specialized, and practical.
  • Assessment is based on continuous monitoring and includes exams, oral presentations, research papers, and project evaluations.
  • The final degree is awarded upon completion of all academic requirements and the successful defense of the Master’s thesis.

  This organized framework allows students to pursue academic research, prepare for doctoral studies, or enter professional fields related to language, communication, education, and technology. Literary Theory and Critical Approaches

The Master’s program in Literature and Civilization aims to provide students with advanced and integrated knowledge in the core fields of British and American literature and civilization. It focuses on the interaction between literary texts, historical contexts, cultural frameworks, and critical theories, drawing on contemporary research in the humanities.

Core knowledge includes:

• British and American Literature: An in-depth study of major authors, movements, genres, and literary periods, spanning from the Renaissance to contemporary writing.
• British and American Civilization: Exploring the historical, political, social, and cultural developments that have shaped the English-speaking world.
• Literary Theory and Criticism: Mastering classical and modern critical approaches, including structuralism, post-structuralism, feminism, Marxism, postcolonial studies, and cultural studies.
• Literary Discourse Analysis: A close reading and interpretation of texts, focusing on narrative strategies, symbolism, and rhetorical devices.
• Research Methodology: Mastering academic writing skills, textual analysis, qualitative methods, and interdisciplinary approaches in literary and cultural studies.

This program promotes a rigorous and integrated scientific approach, combining theoretical depth with methodological precision. It also trains students to critically analyze literary and cultural phenomena and to apply their knowledge in academic research or professional contexts such as education, cultural management, publishing, media, and scientific research institutions.

By the end of the four semesters of the Master's program in Literature and Civilization, students will have developed advanced and specialized competencies in the following areas:

• Specialized Literary and Cultural Expertise: Mastering the core theories, movements, and methodologies in British and American literature and civilization, with the ability to situate texts and cultural phenomena within their historical, political, and social contexts.
• Analytical and Critical Thinking: The ability to perform close readings and interpret literary and cultural texts using various critical approaches (such as structuralism, postcolonial studies, feminism, Marxism, and cultural studies), and to evaluate current debates in literary and cultural research.
• Research Competency: The ability to design and execute independent research projects, including formulating research questions, applying appropriate methodologies, managing primary and secondary sources, and presenting findings according to academic standards.
• Methodological Rigor: Mastering skills in literary text analysis, discourse analysis, archival research, and interdisciplinary approaches that link literature to history, philosophy, politics, and cultural studies.
• Academic and Professional Communication: Developing strong written and oral expression skills within academic contexts, including writing theses and dissertations, delivering research presentations, constructing scholarly arguments in Arabic, French, and at least one foreign language (typically English).

Interdisciplinary Application: The ability to apply literary and cultural knowledge in real-world fields such as education, cultural heritage, publishing, translation, media, communication, and cultural management.

Internships and supervised projects in the third year of the Bachelor's degree and the second year of the Master's degree represent a pivotal stage mandatory They aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice, through which the student acquires Practical skills and knowledge in-depth knowledge by implementing scientific methodologies within the work environment, and developing professional competencies such as real-world problem-solving and effective project management

this experience also contributes to refining Behavioral Competenciessuch as effective communication and teamwork under specialized academic and professional supervision. It also serves as a pivotal opportunity for students to build a professional network and enhance their autonomy, ensuring a smooth transition and high readiness for integration into the labor market

The professional prospects for graduates at the regional and national levels include:

• English Teacher in Secondary Education
• Temporary University Instructor: English and History Departments
• Journalist: In Print Media / Radio / Television
• Culture and Tourism Sector

Communication Officer in various institutions

This training opens broad horizons for students wishing to deepen their academic path, as the Master's degree provides its holders with the following opportunities

1. Post-Graduate Studies in Algeria (Doctorate/PhD)

The current training program allows for participation in national competitive exams for doctoral programs offered by Algerian university institutions, whether in the original specialization  or in other specializations within the same field of study

2. Global Mobility & Scholarships

Distinguished students can aspire to pursue their postgraduate studies in Prestigious foreign universitiesthrough two pathways:

• Official Partnerships: Within the framework of international cooperation programs and scholarships established by the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research with partner countries
• Individual Application: Students are eligible for direct enrollment in international universities, in accordance with the academic standards and criteria set by those educational institutions abroad

The Job Club at UCM (Job Club) at the University Centre of Maghnia, the primary interactive space for preparing students to enter the professional world. Its role extends beyond the academic aspect to focus on Professional Empowerment Through intensive training in self-marketing techniques, professional CV writing, and confidently navigating job interviews

The club serves as a true bridge connecting graduates to the labor market, providing them with the necessary tools to explore opportunities and build a professional network. This helps narrow the unemployment gap and ensures a swift and successful transition from the classroom to promising career paths

The University Centre of Maghnia serves as a fertile environment for innovation, where efforts have converged to establish an integrated ecosystem for supporting entrepreneurial thinking, led by The University Business Incubator Which works on mentoring innovators and startups from the 'ideation' stage to 'implementation,' by providing high-quality coaching and specialized consultations to obtain the 'Innovative Project' label

Alongside it, stands out Entrepreneurship Development Center (CDE) As a strategic link for developing students' entrepreneurial skills, in partnership with the National Entrepreneurship Support and Development Agency (NESDA), it focuses on practical training and technical mentorship. The center also includes Technology and Innovation Support Centre (CATI) which ensures the protection of intellectual property and patents

These entities integrate to form a bridge connecting the university to the economic environment, thereby transforming academic projects into promising economic enterprises that contribute to local and national development. This establishes the University Centre of Maghnia as a true hub for shaping the entrepreneurs of tomorrow