Ageing in Twenty-First Century Literary and/or Theatrical Forms

Program Overview

This PhD program explores the significance of age, ageing, and generational identity in contemporary literary and theatrical forms. It examines how these themes challenge prevailing assumptions about advanced age and ageism, and welcomes individual proposals on specific writers, playwrights, or forms. The program provides a flexible structure, expert supervision, and a supportive academic community, equipping students with advanced research skills and critical thinking abilities for diverse career paths.

Program Outline

Ageing in Twenty-First Century Literary and/or Theatrical Forms: A PhD in a Timely Topic

Degree Overview:

This PhD opportunity delves into the significance of age, ageing, longevity, and generational identity in当代 literary and/or theatrical forms. By analyzing these themes in cultural forms, the program aims to address the under-examined effect of ageism on aesthetics and artistic representation. This is an especially timely topic given the current ageing population worldwide. The program is designed to help students gain a nuanced understanding of how ageing is depicted in the contemporary Anglophone novel, life writing, and on theatre stages. This leads to the central question:

Does the rising prominence of older characters and the motif of ageing in these artistic spaces suggest a cultural desire to rethink previous representations of ageing, particularly the narrative of ageing-as-decline? How do literary and theatrical articulations of older age challenge prevailing assumptions about advanced age? And what do intergenerational interactions in fictional texts or performances tell us about age, ageing, and ageism? Studies on the intersection of multiple identities like gender, class, sexuality, and disability are also welcomed.

Outline:

This program provides a flexible structure, allowing students to pursue their individual research interests within the broad theme of Ageing in Twenty-First Century Literary and/or Theatrical Forms. Students are expected to:

• Undertake original research contributing to the field of age studies
• Develop specialized knowledge about age and its representations in chosen media
• Become adept at critically analyzing age, ageing, and ageism
• Gain experience conducting and interpreting research using relevant theoretical frameworks
The program's precise structure and content are tailored to each student's research project and may involve:
• Regular meetings with their assigned supervisor(s)
• Individual and group tutorials
• Independent research and writing
• Attendance at seminars, workshops, and conferences
• Completion of assessed coursework tailored to their project

Assessment:

Assessment for the program involves a combination of:

• A 50,000-word thesis based on the student's original research project
• A 10,000-word literature review and research proposal
• Potential assessed coursework, depending on the individual student's program

Teaching:

This program provides a stimulating learning environment through:

• Expert individual supervision tailored to each student's chosen research area
• A supportive academic community with opportunities for peer learning
• Access to research training workshops and seminars
• Engagement with visiting scholars and practitioners
• Access to extensive library resources, including specialist collections in ageing studies

Careers:

This PhD equips students with advanced research skills and critical thinking abilities, making them highly qualified for diverse career paths both within academia and beyond. Potential career paths include:

• Academic positions in universities and research institutes
• Roles in museums, archives, and cultural heritage organizations
• Work as policy advisors, consultants, or researchers
• Careers in publishing, journalism, or creative writing

Other:

While the program does not explicitly offer placements in industry or the wider community, students may pursue research projects with potential applications in these areas.

UK fee: £4,786 Full-time degree per annum International fee: £21,500 Full-time degree per annum University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.