Master’s Degree in Universal Maritime Literature
Why this master’s programme?
The Master’s in Universal Maritime Literature
Offers an in-depth immersion into the works that have shaped our understanding of the sea and its impact on humanity. This program explores the epic narratives, adventure stories, and lyric poems that capture the immensity of the ocean and the human experience of encountering it. Through critical analysis of classical and contemporary authors, you will discover the complex representations of the sea as a source of life, danger, mystery, and inspiration. You will delve into topics such as maritime identity, exploration, shipwreck, piracy, and ocean conservation, developing a global and multidisciplinary perspective on maritime literature.
Distinctive Advantages
- Global Approach: Explore works from diverse cultures and literary traditions related to the sea.
- Critical Analysis: Develop rigorous textual analysis and interpretation skills.
- Current Issues: Address contemporary issues such as climate change and marine sustainability through literature.
- Renowned Experts: Learn from leading professors and researchers in the field of maritime literature.
- Research Opportunities: Access projects and resources to develop your own original research.
- Modality: Online
- Level: Masters
- Hours: 1600 H
- Start date:
Availability: 1 in stock
Who is it aimed at?
- Literature lovers with a special interest in the sea as an inexhaustible source of stories and symbols.
- Students and graduates in Humanities, Philology, History, or related fields seeking to specialize in a unique and fascinating literary field.
- Literature and language teachers wishing to enrich their knowledge and offer new perspectives to their students.
- Writers and aspiring novelists who find inspiration in the sea and its characters to create original works.
- Maritime professionals (sailors, naval historians, etc.) wishing to explore the representation of the sea in world literature.
Academic Flexibility Adapted for professionals and distance learners: 24/7 accessible online content, discussion forums, and personalized tutoring.
Objectives and skills
Analyze and interpret nautical symbols:
“Identify navigational aids (lighthouses, buoys, beacons) and their meaning according to international regulations.”
To contextualize and assess the influence of the sea on literature:
Understanding the representation of the sea as a space of adventure, danger and reflection in key works and its connection with the historical and cultural context.
Produce creative texts inspired by maritime tradition:
“Exploring the richness of nautical vocabulary and travel narratives to evoke memorable maritime atmospheres and characters.”
Understand and apply specialized maritime vocabulary:
“Use accurate nautical terminology in oral and written communications, interpreting technical and regulatory documents of the maritime sector.”
Critically evaluate the representation of the sea in diverse literary cultures:
Identify cultural biases and propose alternative interpretations based on the historical and social context.
Design innovative research projects on maritime literature:
“Define mixed methodologies that integrate textual analysis, historical contextualization, and digital tools.”
Study plan – Modules
- Introduction to the comparative study of maritime literature: historical background and relevance in the formation of global thought
- Theoretical framework: key concepts in nautical literature, literary genres, and their evolution in maritime contexts
- Stylistic and rhetorical analysis of classic works: from “The Odyssey” to “Moby Dick” and their influence on the perception of the sea
- Nautical literature in different cultures: European, Asian, African, and American perspectives in the construction of the maritime imaginary
- The sea as a symbolic and physical space: an interdisciplinary approach between geography, history, and literature
- Critical study of exploration and adventure narratives: impact on maritime expansion and colonizing thought
- Roles and social representations in maritime literature: sailors, captains, pirates, and coastal communities
- Relationship between nautical literature and maritime sciences: how fiction and Technical realities mutually influence each other.
Comparison of recurring themes: survival, maritime ethics, human-nature relations, and the myth of the sea as a frontier.
Influence of maritime literature on contemporary popular culture and the formation of global environmental thought.
Methodologies for the critical analysis and comparison of nautical texts: hermeneutic techniques applied to maritime literature.
Case study: in-depth analysis of representative works and their contribution to collective maritime understanding.
Discussion on the pedagogical and formative function of maritime literature in higher and professional education.
Future perspectives: integration of maritime literature with new technologies and digital resources in the dissemination of maritime thought.
Development of a comparative research project: design, hypothesis formulation, and analysis strategies.
- Foundations of Ecophilosophy Applied to the Sea: Key Concepts and Historical Evolution
- Maritime Symbolism in Classical Antiquity: Analysis of Myths and Epics from Homer
- Relationships Between Marine Ecosystems and Literary Representations: An Interdisciplinary Approach
- The Sea as an Existential and Spiritual Metaphor in Universal Narrative: From the Greeks to the Middle Ages
- Aesthetic and Ethical Dimensions of the Ocean in Renaissance and Baroque Texts
- Symbolic Meanings of Voyage and Shipwreck in Maritime Literature: Paradigms and Cultural Variations
- The Figure of the Navigator and Nature in Romantic Prose: Intersections Between Humanity and Nature
- Melville and the Construction of the Sublime Ocean: An In-Depth Analysis of Moby Dick from an Ecophilosophical Perspective
- Philosophical Implications of the Sea in the Contemporary Literature: Eco-Criticism and Posthumanism
Methodological Tools for Symbolic and Environmental Analysis in Universal Maritime Texts
Advanced Seminar: Critical Interpretation of Key Texts and Applications in Literary Research
Applied Project: Design of an Academic Essay on Maritime Ecophilosophy in a Selected Work
- Historical Contextualization of Maritime Narratives: From Homeric Epics to Tales of the Age of Discovery
- Intertextuality and Nautical Symbolism: Analysis of Recurring Metaphors and Archetypes in Universal Maritime Literature
- Comparative Study of Maritime Literary Genres: Chronicles, Travel Narratives, Adventure Novels, and Epic Marine Poetry
- Impact of Geographical Explorations on the Transformation of the Literary Maritime Imaginary and the Consolidation of Global Thought
- Literary Treatment of Natural Elements: Wind, Sea, Storms, and Their Symbolic Personification in Nautical Narratives
- The Figure of the Navigator or Sailor as a Literary Protagonist: From the Classical Hero to the Contemporary Antihero
- Influence of Regional Literatures (Scandinavian, Mediterranean, Asian, and Latin American) in the formation of a universal maritime canon
Modernity and postmodernity: critical rereadings and thematic reconfiguration of maritime narratives in contemporary literature
Applied theoretical perspectives: literary criticism, postcolonial theory, and ecocriticism in maritime studies
Transdisciplinarity in the formation of global maritime thought: relationship with history, anthropology, sociology, and philosophy
Comparative analysis methodologies: tools and techniques for the critical study of nautical texts across temporalities and geographies
Legacy and relevance of classic maritime narratives in contemporary literature and popular culture
Impact of maritime narratives on the formation of cultural and national identities linked to the sea
Case studies: Comprehensive analysis of emblematic works representative of different maritime eras and cultures.
Development of critical and hermeneutical skills for the advanced interpretation of maritime literature in academic and professional contexts.
[…]
- Fundamentals of Oceanic Semiology: Theory and Application in Maritime Literary Analysis
- Naval and Maritime Iconography: Symbols, Emblems, and Their Cultural Traditions in Universal Texts
- Oceanic Metaphors: Narrative Structures and Their Influence on the Construction of the Maritime Imaginary
- Poetics of Navigation: Literary Representation of Maritime Space as a Symbolic and Political Territory
- Narrative Geopolitics: Power and Hegemony in the Configuration of Global Maritime Narratives
- Literary Cartography: The Interpretation and Re-signification of Maps and Routes in Maritime Narratives
- Critical Analysis of Maritime Discourses: Colonialism, Expansion, and Resistance in World Literature
- Comparative Study of Currents and Genres: From Nautical Romanticism to Postmodernism Oceanic
Representation of the sea as a mythical space versus historical territory in literature
Methodological tools for interdisciplinary research in maritime semiotics and literature
- Theoretical Foundations of Literary Navigation: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Metaphor of the Sea as a Narrative Space
- Symbolic Cartography in Literature: A Semiological Analysis of Maps, Charts, and Visual Representations of the Ocean
- Identity and Maritime Territory: The Literary Construction of Cultural and Geopolitical Belonging in Universal Narratives
- The Sea as a Space of Conflict: Narrative and Discursive Strategies Reflecting Social, Political, and Ecological Tensions
- Comparative Studies of Literary Maritime Traditions: From Classical Epic to Contemporary Global Narrative
- The Function of the Journey and the Voyage: Psychological and Anthropological Symbolism of Travel by Sea in Different Cultural Contexts
- Intersection Between Real and Fictional Cartography: A Critical Analysis of Literary Works Incorporating Maritime Maps and Diagrams
- Representations of the Sea in Poetry and Prose: Stylistic Techniques and Literary Resources that shape maritime space
- Maritime and colonialism: literary discourses on power, domination, and resistance in oceanic spaces
- Advanced research methodologies in maritime literature: textual analysis, cartographic hermeneutics, and applied cultural studies
- Theoretical foundations of semiology applied to maritime narratives: signs, symbols, codes, and their function in nautical communication.
- Comparative history of global maritime literatures: from classical epics to contemporary narratives in different oceanic cultures.
- Structural analysis of nautical texts: archetypes, recurring motifs, and the configuration of maritime space and time.
- Interrelation between maritime symbolism and universal myths: construction and perpetuation of maritime cultural identities.
- Advanced methodologies for the critical analysis of nautical discourses: an interdisciplinary approach combining literature, history, and anthropology.
- Impact of maritime narratives on the formation of the collective imaginary and maritime strategic thinking at a global level.
- Comparative study of the representation of the sea as a space of conflict and exploration and its foundation in different literary traditions.
The role of narrative in the evolution of maritime policies and in public perception of sovereignty and conservation of the marine environment.
Contemporary debates on identity and ecology in maritime literature: semiology of the environmental crisis and its narrative manifestations.
Practical application: design of research projects and semiological analysis of selected maritime texts for academic or popular publication.
- Theory and Methodology of Comparative Studies in Maritime Literature: Interdisciplinary and Transnational Approaches
- Nautical Iconography: Visual and Symbolic Analysis of Maritime Representation in Maps, Engravings, and Literary Works from Antiquity to the Modern Era
- Maritime Metaphors in the Construction of Literary Discourse: From the Archetype of the Ocean as Frontier and Abyss to the Metaphor of the Voyage as Self-Transformation
- Power and Domination in Maritime Narrative: Discursive and Symbolic Strategies in the Consolidation of Colonial and Geopolitical Thought through Literature
- Case Studies: Navigation and Exploration in Classical European Narrative vs. Maritime Imaginaries in Non-Western Literatures
The relationship between maritime technology and literary representation: evolution of the ship, cartography, and its impact on narrative and cultural perception of the sea
The symbolism of the sea and seamanship in the construction of identity and global politics: analysis from postcolonial theory and cultural studies
Dynamics of the symbolic power of maritime narratives in globalization: circulation, appropriation, and resistance in different cultural contexts
The impact of nautical narratives on the formation of the contemporary maritime imaginary: literary, artistic, and media perspectives
Digital tools for the comparative analysis of maritime texts and representations: digital corpora, semantic network analysis, and data visualization
- Epistemological and Methodological Foundations in Maritime Narrative Theory: Interdisciplinary Approaches from Comparative Literature, Cultural History, and Maritime Studies
- The Evolution of Maritime Narrative in Historical Contexts: From the Oral Accounts of Seafaring Peoples to Classical and Modern Literature, with an Emphasis on the Interaction between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas
- Critical Theories Applied to Maritime Literature: Hermeneutic, Deconstructive, and Postcolonial Analysis for Understanding Representations of the Sea and its Symbolism Throughout Time
- The Construction of the Global Oceanic Imaginary: Myths, Symbols, and Archetypes in Universal Maritime Literature and Their Impact on the Cultural Perception of the Ocean
- Narratives of Exploration, Trade, and Maritime Migration: Cultural Interactions, Encounters, and Conflicts Narrated in Transoceanic Chronologies
- Maritime Literature and Hybrid Identities: The Sea as Space
- A comparative study of maritime literary genres: epic, adventure novel, lyric poetry, and graphic narrative in different historical and cultural contexts
- The influence of maritime technological advances on narrative: from sail to steam navigation and technological modernity narrated in literature
- The role of maritime literature in the construction of collective memories and in shaping cultural and environmental policies surrounding the ocean
- Practical applications: critical design of research projects in maritime narrative, development of comprehensive literary analyses, and proposals for interdisciplinary cultural dissemination
Comparative Analysis of Classical and Contemporary Works in the Formation of Global Maritime Thought
- Historical Contextualization of Maritime Literature: From Classical Epics to Contemporary Narrative
- Emblematic Classical Works: In-depth Analysis of Foundational Texts such as “The Odyssey,” “The Book of Marvels,” and “The Voyages of Sinbad”
- Impact of Classical Literature on the Construction of the Maritime Imaginary and the Conceptualization of the Sea as a Symbolic and Real Space
- Literary Transition: Thematic and Stylistic Evolution between Classical Literature and the First Modern Maritime Works
- Comparative Study of the Narrative Structures, Sources, and Genres Used in Classical versus Contemporary Maritime Literature
- Key Contemporary Authors: Critical Analysis of Figures such as Herman Melville, Joseph Conrad, and Patrick O’Brian
- Representations of the Sea and Navigation in Contemporary Literature: Realism, Symbolism, and Existential Elements
- Intertextuality and Dialogue Across Eras: How Contemporary Works Reinterpret and Revisit Classic Maritime Myths and Narratives
- Influence of Technological and Global Transformations on Contemporary Maritime Narrative: Its Reflection in Literature
- Maritime Literature as a Tool in the Formation of Global Maritime Thought: Identity, Ecology, Economics, and Geopolitics
- Methodologies of Critical Analysis: Applicable Theoretical-Critical Approaches for the Comparative Evaluation of Maritime Texts from Different Eras
- Application of Literary Theory and Cultural Studies to Understanding the Role of the Sea in World Literature
- Postcolonial and Decolonial Perspectives in Contemporary Maritime Literature: A Critique of Eurocentric Hegemony
- The Multilingual and Multicultural Dimension in Maritime Narrative: Translation, Adaptation, and International Circulation of Works
- Case Studies Practical exercises: detailed and comparative analysis of representative textual extracts
Implications of maritime literature in the academic and professional training of sectors linked to the sea, such as the merchant marine, oceanography, and maritime policy
Interdisciplinary seminars: connections between literature, maritime history, anthropology, and the sociology of the sea
Development of critical skills for advanced research and the preparation of academic work in the maritime-literary field
Future projection: emerging trends in maritime literature and their impact on global maritime culture and communication
Design of strategies for the dissemination, preservation, and cultural enhancement of the universal maritime literary heritage
- Theoretical Foundations of Maritime Narrative: Definition, Historical Evolution, and Interpretive Paradigms in World Literature
- Interdisciplinary Methodologies: Convergence of Literature, Naval History, Anthropology, and Oceanography for the Critical Analysis of Maritime Texts
- Structural and Semiotic Analysis of Nautical Representations: Symbols, Metaphors, and Myths in the Construction of the Collective Maritime Imaginary
- Comparative Study of Maritime Literary Genres: Epics, Adventure Novels, Exploration Narratives, and Sea Poetry from Antiquity to the Present Day
- Sociopolitical and Economic Contextualization of Maritime Works: Influence of Oceanic Geopolitics on World Narrative
- The Sea as a Liminal and Ontological Space: Philosophical and Existential Implications in the Construction of Maritime Thought
- Integration of Digital Technologies and Computational Analysis in the Study of Texts
Maritime: Data Mining, Narrative Network Analysis, and Semantic Visualization
Development of critical proposals for the preservation, dissemination, and revitalization of maritime literary heritage in globalized contexts
Design and execution of the Master’s Thesis: hypothesis formulation, interdisciplinary methodology, critical analysis, and presentation of results related to nautical narratives
Impact and projection of universal maritime thought on education, culture, and contemporary maritime policies: towards a global oceanic consciousness
Career prospects
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- Cultural Manager: Design and curator of exhibitions, events, and projects related to maritime literature.
- Editor/Proofreader: In publishing houses specializing in maritime literature, history, or culture.
- Literary Critic: Specializing in maritime literature in media outlets, academic journals, or blogs.
- Researcher/Academic: In universities or research centers, developing projects on maritime literature and its relationship to history, culture, and society.
- Screenwriter/Literary Consultant: For audiovisual productions (film, television, documentaries) that address maritime themes.
- Literary Translator: Specializing in literary works with maritime themes in different languages.
- Archivist/Librarian: In institutions that house collections of maritime literature, preserving and cataloging documentary holdings.
- Writer/Novelist: developing works of fiction or non-fiction inspired by maritime literature and culture.
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Entry requirements
Academic/professional profile:
Bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science/Maritime Transport, Naval/Marine Engineering or a related qualification; or proven professional experience on the bridge/in operations.
Language proficiency:
Functional Maritime English (SMCP) recommended for simulations and technical materials.
Documentation:
Updated CV, copy of qualification or seaman’s book, national ID/passport, motivation letter.
Technical requirements (for online):
Device with camera/microphone, stable internet connection, monitor ≥ 24” recommended for ECDIS/Radar-ARPA.
Admissions process and dates
Online
application
(form + documents).
Academic review and interview
Admissions decision
Admissions decision
(+ scholarship offer if applicable).
Place reservation
(deposit) and enrolment.
Induction
(access to the virtual campus, calendars, simulator guides).
Scholarships and financial support
- Explore the Depths: Immerse yourself in the narrative richness of the sea, from Homeric epics to contemporary novels.
- Critical Analysis: Develop a unique perspective to interpret masterpieces of world maritime literature.
- Historical and Cultural Context: Discover the influence of the sea on society, the economy, and the human imagination throughout the centuries.
- Research Tools: Master the key methodologies for the study of comparative literature and maritime studies.
- Career Opportunities: Prepare for a career in teaching, research, publishing, and cultural management with a focus specialized.
Testimonials
The Master’s in World Maritime Literature provided me with a deep and enriching understanding of the complex relationship between humankind and the sea, as reflected in literature throughout history. The lectures, analysis of key works, and research allowed me to develop a critical perspective that I currently apply in my work as an editor specializing in travel narratives. The solid training I received was fundamental to securing this position and has provided me with the necessary tools to excel in my field.
The Master’s in Naval Art & Literature provided me with the critical tools and specialized knowledge to publish my analysis on the representation of seafaring identity in 19th-century literature, which was subsequently selected for the prestigious international conference of the Maritime Studies Association.
The Master’s in Universal Maritime Literature provided me with the critical tools and historical perspective necessary to publish my essay on the influence of maritime narrative on modernist poetry, which was awarded the “Poseidon” Literary Prize and subsequently published in the prestigious academic journal “Mare Nostrum”.
The Master’s in World Maritime Literature provided me with a deep and interdisciplinary understanding of the sea’s influence on global narrative. Through the analysis of key works, from Homer to contemporary authors, I developed critical reading and research skills that enabled me to successfully complete my dissertation on the representation of female pirates in Caribbean literature, which was subsequently published in a prestigious academic journal. This program not only broadened my literary knowledge but also opened doors for me within the international academic community.
Frequently asked questions
Universal maritime literature.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Epic narrative.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna University + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
- Theoretical Foundations of Maritime Narrative: Definition, Historical Evolution, and Interpretive Paradigms in World Literature
- Interdisciplinary Methodologies: Convergence of Literature, Naval History, Anthropology, and Oceanography for the Critical Analysis of Maritime Texts
- Structural and Semiotic Analysis of Nautical Representations: Symbols, Metaphors, and Myths in the Construction of the Collective Maritime Imaginary
- Comparative Study of Maritime Literary Genres: Epics, Adventure Novels, Exploration Narratives, and Sea Poetry from Antiquity to the Present Day
- Sociopolitical and Economic Contextualization of Maritime Works: Influence of Oceanic Geopolitics on World Narrative
- The Sea as a Liminal and Ontological Space: Philosophical and Existential Implications in the Construction of Maritime Thought
- Integration of Digital Technologies and Computational Analysis in the Study of Texts
Maritime: Data Mining, Narrative Network Analysis, and Semantic Visualization
Development of critical proposals for the preservation, dissemination, and revitalization of maritime literary heritage in globalized contexts
Design and execution of the Master’s Thesis: hypothesis formulation, interdisciplinary methodology, critical analysis, and presentation of results related to nautical narratives
Impact and projection of universal maritime thought on education, culture, and contemporary maritime policies: towards a global oceanic consciousness
Request information
Complete the Application Form.
Attach your CV/degree certificate (if you have it to hand).
Indicate your preferred cohort (January/May/September) and whether you would like the hybrid option with simulator sessions.
An academic advisor will contact you within 24–48 hours to guide you through the admission process, scholarships, and compatibility with your professional schedule.
Faculty
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Naval engineer specializing in the selection, integration, and optimization of propulsion systems for yachts, high-speed craft, and service vessels.
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Materials engineer specializing in marine composites and corrosion protection systems for ships, yachts, and port structures.
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Naval electrical engineer with over fifteen years of experience in the design, integration, and operation of power and automation systems.
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Specialist in meteorological and operational decision-making for coastal and offshore navigation, integrating wind, wave, and current models.
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Naval engineer with a PhD in applied hydrodynamics and over a decade of experience designing high-performance hulls and marine structures.
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
MCA-certified captain with command of ocean-going vessels, specializing in advanced maneuvering, navigation management, and bridge safety.