The English Department at the University of Lausanne is one of the largest and most dynamic departments at the Faculty of Arts at Lausanne. Our staff consists of internationally recognized experts in the fields of Medieval literature, Early Modern and Modern English Literature, American Literature and Culture, Comparative Literature, Gender Studies and English Linguistics. We are all research-active, with an important national and international presence in terms of publications, editorial and board memberships, research networks and interdisciplinary collaborations. Research feeds regularly into our course offerings and allows us to offer the most cutting edge material and ideas to our students. To this end, we also invite several international scholars every semester to share their work with us in the Research Seminar Series. We are also very proud to currently have several FNS-funded projects, including a Sinergia, and several doctoral students.
As one of the most popular departments, we are able to offer a wide and diverse range of courses in all the fields mentioned above. Our curriculum is based on an accumulated acquisition of skills, with the first year devoted to an intense introductory program of literary analysis, English essay writing, linguistics, English literary history, and medieval literature and culture in the spring semester. The second year offers more choice with regards to content while building upon the skills acquired in the first year, and the third year allows the student to choose the courses that most fit their interests and career objectives. The MA program begins with an obligatory seminar on literary and cultural theory (Critical Approaches), but then permits the student to tailor their studies to their needs and interests, culminating in a sustained original research project and dissertation (60-80 pages). For students wishing to extend their MA studies with a specialization program, we offer three (New American Studies, Medieval and Literary Translation), and are involved in two more: Teaching and Cultural Mediation (with HEP) and Dramaturgy and History of Theater.
In terms of community outreach and service, the English department is extremely involved both within the university and the city and canton. We offer an annual Formation Continue program for teachers in high schools, and we are the home of the annual Lausanne Shakespeare Festival, which is geared specifically to a local francophone and English public of all ages. Our staff members are involved in university administration and service on a broad variety of levels, including commissions on sustainability, quality, personnel, academic planning, and gender equality to serving on the University Council. We are proud to be part of the vibrant University of Lausanne community.
