Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Critical Contexts: Introduction to Literary Criticism and Cultural Theory
SCQF level: 07:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: CLP07116
Module leader: Elsa Bouet
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 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).
Learning Outcomes for module:

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.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2026/7, Trimester 2, 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: Elsa Bouet
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Online Guided independent study 170 You are expected to read the novels, watch the films, engage in further reading and work on your assessment regularly during this time. Week 6 is reading week: this week is dedicated to reading and engaging with the contents for the rest of term.
Face To Face Tutorial 20 In tutorial, you will discuss the theories presented and learnt about in lecture and be asked to summarise the keys points from the lecture. From this, you will discuss the theories in relation to the texts to practice linking ideas together and applying theories to the texts. This core skill is designed to teach you how to create a methodology for textual analysis that you can apply across all your modules. In addition, these activities form the core of your assessments. As a mainstream reasonable adjustment, tutorial questions are posted in advance on Moodle so these can be prepared before class.
Face To Face Lecture 10 The lectures will introduce you to and unpack the theories studied that week, which you will use in tutorials for the analysis of the texts. This activity directly contributes to your tutorial discussion and informs your assessments. As a reasonable mainstream adjustment, lecture slides are provided in advance and recorded through Panopto, and key terms clarified on Moodle. The lectures serve to further unpack key theoretical concepts and can be revisited at any time through the recording.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 40 1~2~4~5 Week 5 , WORDS= 1000 words The module is divided is divided into 5 main theoretical clusters and for this first assessment, students are asked to write 2 short essays of 500 words on two of the clusters. They have to link one of the theories to one of the texts, and use 1 secondary source per short essay and as such lecture content and tutorial activities directly engage with the assessment content, structure and aims. Across the two submissions, students will have engaged with all 5 theoretical clusters and thus provided coverage on all issues taught on the module.This assessment in inclusive in that, because it consists of two distinct parts, it can be worked on at their own pace. In addition, students can focus on the texts they want to.
Portfolio 60 1~2~3~4~5 Week 12 , WORDS= 1500 words The module is divided is divided into 5 main theoretical clusters and for this second assessment, students are asked to write 3 short essays of 500 words on two of the clusters for this portfolio. They have to link one of the theories to one of the texts of their choice, and 2 secondary sources. The requirements for more research and the longer word count means that this assessment weighs more. Across the two assessments, lecture content and tutorial activities directly engage with the assessment engaged with all 5 theoretical clusters and thus content, structure and aims. Across the two submissions, students will have covered all clusters taught on the module. As with the first portfolio, students can work at their own pace as the three mini-essays format allows them to start working on this final assessment from week 6.
Component 1 subtotal: 40
Component 2 subtotal: 60
Module subtotal: 100

 

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