Themes in Contemporary Literature and Culture module (EN52046)

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Credits

40

Module code

EN52046

To allow:

  • a student to gain a greater understanding of author or subject, perhaps ahead of their future work for a dissertation or doctoral thesis.
  • a student to gain valuable experience doing independent research on a specific topic
  • students to have a say in course design and content

In agreement with an assigned tutor the student or students will create a course reading list based on either the chosen author’s works, or the chosen subject.

 

 

Assessment

  • Research essay 5,000 words (70%) or Applied Art project (70%)
  • Literature review or annotated bibliography, Short Critical Essay or Art Project 2,000 words (30%)

The intended learning outcomes are as follows:

Knowledge and understanding.

  1. The student will acquire an in-depth knowledge of a specific author’s body of works; or acquire an in-depth knowledge of a specific topic in literature or similar field in the arts.
  2. develop a critical awareness of an author’s or artist’s use of different genres, themes or techniques;
  3. develop the potential for continued study at doctoral level.

 Subject-specific practical and intellectual skills and attributes.

  1. To gain experience of independent study and directed research
  2. To begin to develop a sense of expertise in a given subject

Transferable, employability and enterprise skills and attributes.

  • acquire a range of transferable skills, graduate attributes and personal qualities, which will enhance their confidence and independence both during and after their studies
  • develop an independent, organised approach to learning, and thereby practise time management skills through working to deadlines

Convenor

Prof Andrew Roberts 

Teaching

 

This module is taught by weekly 1-hours seminars. There is a choice of two themes (with separate groups, taught by two different tutors):

 

 

 

  • ‘Identities’ theme (Professor Andrew Roberts)

 

This theme looks at ways in which identity is shaped and questioned, in forms of writing such as poetry, fiction, autobiography, psychoanalytical case studies and theories of self.

 

 

 

  • ‘Environment / Poetics’  theme (Dr Heather Yeung)

 

This theme looks at the effects and ethics of different modes of poetic interaction with the natural world, charting the fine line between different sorts of ‘use’ and ‘ab/use’ of the natural world in a series of very different poetic works.