The Stage 1 programme in English introduces you to the study of the subject at university level, and provides core skills and knowledge to prepare you for a life of appreciating the power and beauty of the written word. It encourages students to see English as a global medium of creative endeavour and cultural exchange, and to understand the value of literature as a means of expression, representation and persuasion. Stage 1 English modules include Reading World Literature, Contemporary Irish Writing, Literature and Crisis, and Literary Genre. The main aim of the Stage 1 English modules is to enhance students’ understanding of the relationship between various aspects of literature as a creative medium, and the role and value of literature in the world. Modules are taught through lectures and tutorials, and students benefit from working in small groups which focus on developing skills in research, interpretation, contextualisation, and presentation. You will be encouraged to develop the breadth and depth of your reading interests, to make connections between texts and contexts, and to articulate your thought processes and interpretations in essays, presentations, and other forms of expression. In order to progress to Stage 2, students must have passed the two core English modules offered at Stage 1, ENG10230 Reading World Literature and ENG10220 Literature and Crisis.