ENG4882 - Vampires and Detectives: Reading Popular Genres

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate detailed knowledge of a specified selection of works of fiction in at least two popular contemporary genres.
Demonstrate detailed knowledge of specified works of pre-1900 fiction in the same genres.
Identify and analyse shared features which the contemporary and pre-1900 works have in common in relation to the development of their genre(s).
Identify and discuss ways in which the generic features of particular texts relate to aspects of their historical context.

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.

For each genre, two or more core texts from different periods will be introduced, read, discussed and compared across half a semester. This would include, for example, a novel in a popular contemporary genre and a pre-1900 novel which is recognisably in the same genre. For example, a Twentieth-Century detective novel (e.g. Agatha Christie) 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
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
Assessments 2 and 3: Creative imitation or Essay - students will demonstrate their knowledge of a genre and understanding of the genre's techniques and style. There are two assignments, at least one of which must be a critical essay.

The assessment brief for integrated assessment will vary slightly for those students where integrated assessment is not applicable to their programme.

Other relevant matters
The focus of the module is on the idea of genre and the particular genres chosen are pretexts for the study of genre. The choice of literary genres offered each year will depend upon the academic knowledge of the tutors assigned to deliver this module. The literary genres may also be adjusted to reflect current trends.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Juliette Taylor-Batty
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL

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