Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate detailed knowledge of a specified selection of works of fiction in two popular contemporary genres;
Demonstrate detailed knowledge of specified works of pre-1900 fiction in the same genres;
Identify and discuss shared generic features which the contemporary and pre-1900 works have in common and relate these to the historical development of the genre;

Content:

This module is designed to develop awareness of genre and to encourage students to analyse contemporary fiction in terms of particular genres and their historical development; it is also designed to develop student confidence in reading and engaging with pre-1900 writing. The module will be taught in two parts, each part focussing on a different genre. In each part two novels will be introduced, read, discussed and compared: a novel in a popular contemporary genre and a pre-1900 novel which is recognisably in the same genre. For example, an example of contemporary detective fiction (eg Ian Rankin) may be analysed and compared to a Victorian detective story; or a contemporary vampire novel may be analysed and compared to Bram Stoker�s Dracula or Sheridan Le Fanu�s Carmilla.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Seminars will combine tutor input with structured learning activities and discussion based on guided independent study.

Seminars
Contact hours: 40

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
Assessment 1 � Directed activities: these consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. The assessment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis with a pass requiring at least 75% of all weekly tasks to be completed successfully. A pass will lead to the full award of 10% towards the final module mark. A fail in directed activities will contribute 0% to the final mark.