Literature, Criticism, Theory

Code

LL116

Level

1

Credit rating
(points)

20

Prerequisites

None

Type of module

Taught

Aims

The aims for this module are set into the context of the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and they relate to the SEEC level descriptors for level 1 study.
  
This module aims to provide students with opportunities to consider the nature of literary study in Higher Education, the functions of literary texts and the value to the reader of literary and critical theory.

Learning outcome/objectives

In relation to the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and the SEEC level descriptors for level 1 study, by the end of the module students should be able to:

• demonstrate awareness of the importance and value of literary criticism and theory in their development as autonomous and reflective readers (LO1)
• have enhanced their skills in critical analysis through the study and discussion of selected texts and extracts (LO2)
• demonstrate skills appropriate to literary study in Higher Education (LO3)
• have gained awareness of the role of readers in the processes whereby texts generate different meanings (LO4).

Content

A variety of texts and extracts (comparable and contrasting) will be selected in order to highlight a range of notions and issues of which the following are indicative only:

Representation; constructedness; generic problems; the challenge to the reader; the unsaid and the repressed; intertextual relations; gender and sexuality; feminist reading; post-colonial reading; psychoanalytic reading; discourses and power; ideology; texts as political interventions; issues in textual adaptations in different media.

The content of the module will be based on texts, and the students’ relationships with texts; theory will be taught through textual study and discussion, not in isolation. Students will also learn skills appropriate to literary study at HE to support their work across all their literature modules.

Teaching and learning strategies

Contact time: Lectures, seminars, workshop activities, presentations.

Non-contact time: Reading and research of a range of primary and secondary texts.

Learning support

Books:

Bennett, A. and Royle, N.  (2004) (3rd ed.)  Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory, Harlow: Pearson

Culler, J.  (1997) Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: OUP

Jacobs, R.  (2001)  A Beginner’s Guide to Critical Reading: an Anthology of Literary Texts,  London: Routledge

Miller, J. H.  (2002)  On Literature,  London: Routledge

Pope, R.  (1998)  The English Studies Book,  London: Routledge

Walder, D. (ed.)  (2004)  (2nd ed.) Literature in the Modern World,  Oxford: OUP

Waugh, P. (ed.)  (2006)  Literary Theory and Criticism,  Oxford: OUP

Electronic sources (accessed June 2009):
Felluga, D Introductory Guide to Critical Theory – available at www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/engl/theory/index.html 

Assessment task

Assessment will be in the context of the University of Brighton Assessment Policy and the Faculty Code of Practice in Assessment, and students will be required to complete the following task:

Students will write an essay comparing and/or contrasting 2 or 3 texts showing awareness of their own role as readers, reflecting ideas discussed during the module, and demonstrating skills appropriate to literary study in HE. 2500 words.

The task will be marked on a percentage basis.

Referral task: Reworking of original task.

Assessment criteria

General criteria for assessment are framed by the SEEC descriptors for level 1.  Against specific criteria, credit will be awarded for:

• awareness of the contribution of criticism and theory, including ideas discussed during the module, to their development and practices as readers (LO1)
• evidence of skill in the critical analysis of texts (LO2);
• evidence of skills appropriate to literary study in HE (LO3)
• awareness of their own role as readers in the processes of making meaning (LO4).

All learning outcomes must be achieved in order to pass the module at the threshold level.

Brief description of module content and/or aims for publicity

An introduction to literary study. The emphasis will be on the students’ relationships with the shared texts and how those relationships can be enhanced through a reflective awareness of literary criticism and theory.

Students will enhance their abilities in analytic reading and begin to understand the role of the reader in the construction of meaning in interpreting literary texts.

Area examination board to which module relates

BALAST Media and English AEB

Module team/authors/co-ordinator

Richard Jacobs

Normal duration

One semester

Site where delivered

Falmer

Date of first approval

June 2007

Date of last revision

N/A (module code amended from KE113 in August 2008)

Date of approval of this version

April 2009

Version number

2

Replacement for previous module

NA

Field for which module is acceptable and status in that field

BA (Hons) Language Studies (English Language, French, German, Linguistics) and English Literature – required
BA (Hons) English Literature and Sociology – required
BA (Hons) English Literature and Education - required

Course(s) which module is acceptable and status in course

BA (Hons) Language Studies (English Language, French, German, Linguistics) and English Literature – required
BA (Hons) English Literature and Sociology – required
BA (Hons) English Literature and Education – required

Departmental home

School of Humanities

External examiner(s)

Dr Andrew Maunder