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

This module serves as a broad introduction to some of the key theoretical questions relevant to literary and cultural studies today. Whilst asking you to engage with a range of texts from different periods, genres and national traditions, the emphasis is on methodological and critical issues in Literary Studies. The module invites you to reflect on the process of reading. How are texts read? Why may they be read differently in different historical contexts? How and why are certain texts assigned a higher cultural value than others (i.e. ‘canonised?)?The module aims to equip you with the conceptual frameworks necessary to independently approach texts at this and subsequent levels. The module?s main objective is to help you become an attentive, self-reflexive and critical reader and to develop the ability to engage with scholarly debates that are relevant to the study of literature and culture. Some of the themes covered include: definitions of literature; English Studies as a discipline and institution; the literary canon; authors and readers; genre; literature and history; questions of identity in literature (class, gender/sexuality, race/ethnicity/nationality).

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Outline how literary value is constructed and how literary canons are formed.

LO2: Recognise that texts are read differently in varying historical contexts.

LO3: Recount the formation of English Studies as a discipline and some of the critical debates of what this discipline should entail.

LO4: Critically analyse texts from different genres and periods and integrate such readings within contemporary critical debates.

LO5: Apply research, referencing and writing skills.