ENG5732 - Constructions of Gender

Objectives:

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

(1) demonstrate knowledge and critical appreciation of a range of works, by women and men, in different genres;
(2) demonstrate understanding of the ways in which gender may be constructed in writing;
(3) demonstrate understanding of some of the key debates concerning literature and gender and language and gender;
(4) demonstrate understanding of the impact of social, cultural, and economic contexts on the construction of gender in literary works;
(5) apply key theories concerning language and gender to the critical study of a selection of texts.

Content:

In semester 1, students will be introduced to key theories concerning literature and gender, and language and gender, including écriture feminine and other feminist literary theories, queer theory, performance theory, and relevant pieces from scholarship on masculinities. The theories will be introduced in presentations by the tutor, and illustrated by case-studies of selected texts which will be discussed by students in class. In semester 2, the emphasis will shift towards giving detailed critical attention to a range of writings by both women and men, reading them in the light of the theories that have been introduced. Texts will be taken mainly from the 20th century, including writing by, for example, D H Lawrence, Gertrude Stein, Adrienne Rich, Jeannette Winterson and Irving Welsh.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The sessions of this course will lead students from tutor-directed learning towards student-centred learning. The sessions in semester 1 will consist of a combination of presentations by the tutor and exercises and discussions among the students. In semester 2, the focus will shift towards student contributions and informal seminar presentations, in preparation for an assessed presentation at the end of the year.

Seminars
Contact hours 40
Number of groups 1

Assessment:

001 Essay 1x1500 words (end of sem 1) 30%
002 Essay 1x2000 words (during sem 2) 50%
003 Oral presentation (end of sem 2) 20%


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