English literature students study an exciting spread of modules ranging from literary classics by canonical writers like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and John Milton to the contemporary and the popular including work by Ian Fleming, Pat Barker and Carol Ann Duffy; in the first year students study 2 core foundation modules: Reading prose narrative; a study of the ways in which novelists construct narratives and different techniques they employ; and ways of reading; which looks at new critical and theoretical approaches to literary texts and films; students may also choose to take other literature modules focusing on drama and poetry; philosophy offers the opportunity of studying a subject which is personally rewarding, whilst at the same time developing transferable skills which are highly valued by employers: the ability to identify and analyse problems, to understand alternative solutions and their merits, and to make intelligent and well articulated judgements; the introductory courses include issues in ethics, knowledge and metaphysics, the philosophy of religion and the philosophy of science; the courses do not aim to provide ready made solutions to the problems that are posed but to look for means by which difficult and puzzling questions can be tackled systematically and objectively; the second and final years include detailed studies of a wide range of areas and topics, including: Greek philosophy; Kant; continental philosophy; contemporary Anglo-American philosophy; logic and reasoning; metaphysics; philosophy of science, and of mind; moral and political philosophy.