Core Module Information
Module title: Introduction to Literary Studies: Text and Context

SCQF level: 07:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: CLP07115
Module leader: Arin Keeble
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Media and Humanities
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Description of module content:

This module will provide you with a grounding in the ways in which canonical literary texts are analysed within their historical, political and cultural contexts. You will explore the ways in which literature has responded to, resisted or ‘written back' against, or, alternatively, reinforced the dominant ideological forces of its periods. This module will also give you the chance to interrogate the relationships between texts, contexts and universality – in other words, we will raise questions about the extents to which literary narratives can claim to be universal. As a team-taught module that works through a wide range of canonical texts across the ‘long twentieth century', it will also provide valuable introductions to key authors, movements and historical periods, and also to the research expertise of multiple members of the English subject team. As such, it will introduce you to some of the specialised areas of study offered at later stages in the degree programmes. This module will include units on poetry, theatre, short stories and novels from the 1890s to the present. The syllabus features texts by influential twentieth century authors such as T.S. Eliot, Elizabeth Bishop, Graham Greene, Claude McKay and Thomas Pynchon and will work through a diverse range of historical contexts enabling you to consider the very different ways in which authors have responded to specific moments in history, social problems, cultural movements and world events. For example, we will engage with historical contexts including national expansion in the US, the aftermath of World Wars I and II in Great Britain, the Harlem Renaissance in New York, The Watts Riots in California and the ‘Troubles' in Northern Ireland.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Have detailed knowledge and insight into literary production in the long ‘twentieth century’.

LO2: Be able to critically analyse major twentieth century texts within their relevant social, historical and political contexts.

LO3: Understand theoretical debates about the significance of historical contexts in literary studies.

LO4: Understand the latest critical debates about a range of key twentieth century literary texts, authors and movements.

LO5: Develop skills in oral and written communication, online debate and discussion and research.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2024/5, Trimester 1, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Arin Keeble
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 10 Lectures will introduce a range of approaches to the set texts including consideration of their historical / cultural / social / political contexts.
Face To Face Tutorial 20 In these small group sessions you will discuss content introduced in the lecture in detail, work through small group activities, and have the opportunity to test out your own ideas and arguments about the set texts.
Online Guided independent study 170 You will read and carry out research independently but guided by the teaching and learning you experience in lectures and tutorials and by the materials available on Moodle.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Project - Written 40 2~3~5 7 , WORDS= 1200 This first assessment is designed to develop key skills in researching, planning, and writing your academic essay for this module and in general. It has five linked components that address key skills: 1) developing research questions and strategies; 2) identifying appropriate secondary sources; 3) taking a position and developing an argument; 4) essay planning; and 5) citing secondary sources – both in text and bibliographically. The submission will be a portfolio of written responses to the five tasks set out below. Each of these five portfolio components should be a maximum of one side of A4 (Calibri 11) meaning your portfolio will be five pages in total with a minimum word count of 1,200 words.
Essay 60 1~2~3~4~5 13 , WORDS= 2000 The second assignment will be a 2,000-word essay response to a selection of set questions available in the module handbook. The students will be expected to compose essay responses which incorporate analysis of at least two of the primary texts on the module .
Component 1 subtotal: 40
Component 2 subtotal: 60
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
CLP07115 Introduction to Literary Studies