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 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
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.

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.

Directed Activities will be used for formative assessment in this module.

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:

001 Directed activities; throughout semester 1 & 2 10%
002 Creative Imitation of Genre or Essay; 2000 words; end semester 1 45%
003 Creative Imitation of Genre or Essay; 2000 words; end semester 2 45%
200 Creative Imitation of Genre or Essay; 2000 words; end of semester 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Juliette Taylor-Batty
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL4S1