ENG4882 - Roots of Genre

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

Assessment:

001 Creative imitation of Genre 1 x 2000 words mid semester 50%
002 Essay 1 x 2000 words end of semester 50%


Click here to go back to previous page