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Deadly Desires/Dangerous Discourse: Gothic Literature and Theory

  • Module code: EL5007
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 5
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: Successful completion of level 4 English Literature or equivalent
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

What does literature do? How does it shape individual and cultural identities? In what ways does it produce affects, construct otherness and celebrate difference? Studying a range of influential approaches to literature, this module will examine key ideas concerning the creation and interpretation of texts, from the role of language, history and cultural difference to the effects of sexuality, the unconscious, empire and technology. By applying these insights to one important genre of fiction - to works like Frankenstein, Dracula, The Beetle, Rebecca and World War Z - the module will extend practical analytical skills while introducing exciting new ways of thinking about texts.

Aims

  • to demonstrate ways in which literary theory can be applied to critical readings of literary texts through written theoretical analyses and through oral
  • to develop at an advanced level an understanding of a range of theoretical approaches to literature
  • to show how selected literary texts are susceptible to a range of complementary and competing conceptual and theoretical interpretations

Learning outcomes

  • to demonstrate an understanding of a range of theoretical and conceptual approaches to literature
  • to use literary theory to interpret selected literary texts
  • to produce extended written accounts of selected literary texts that are informed by an advanced understanding of relevant theoretical approaches
  • to participate in and develop a group project which will culminate in an oral presentation
  • to compare and contrast the ways in which different theoretical perspectives offer complementary and competing readings of selected literary texts

Curriculum content

The module aims to develop an understanding of some the key critical debates and theoretical ideas that have played a crucial role in shaping the study of literature.  We will look at four or five literary texts; each will be examined in relation to complementary or contradictory theoretical approaches. This will involve developing your understanding of some of the key theories of the past century and re-engaging with longstanding critical problems and issues. In addition, we will ask not only what theoretically-informed study brings to the critical appreciation of these texts, but also whether such literary works themselves embody key critical problems, and indeed whether literature may itself at times present challenges to the ambitions of 'theoretical' enquiry, or force it to rethink itself. In the final week, you will be required to attend and participate in a group presentation day.

Teaching and learning strategy

The module will be taught via a series of two-hour interactive lecture workshops with a final 4-hour presentation session.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Lecture/workshop 44
Scheduled learning and teaching Presentation 4
Guided independent study Lecture/workshop 252
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

The assessment for this module is designed to demonstrate your knowledge of a range of theoretical approaches to literature, test your ability to use literary theory to interpret selected literary texts, allow you to compare and contrast competing and complementary theoretical approaches to the same literary text, let you show skill in the composition and presentation of written and oral reports that bring theoretical perspectives to literary texts through a

  • Portfolio of written exercises
  • Essay

And it will allow you to develop skills in preparing, presenting, and oral presentation which will be assessed via a

  • Presentation

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
demonstrate an understanding of a range of theoretical and conceptual approaches to literature assessed formatively and summatively by the group presentation, portfolio of written exercises, and essay
use literary theory to interpret selected literary texts assessed formatively and summatively by the group presentation, portfolio of written exercises, and essay
produce extended written accounts of selected literary texts that are informed by an advanced understanding of relevant theoretical approaches assessed summatively via portfolio of written exercises and essay
participate in and develop a group project which will culminate in an oral presentation assessed summatively via portfolio of written exercises and essay

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Coursework Essay 60
Coursework Portfolio of Short Exercises 30
PRC Group Presentation 10
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Leith, Vincent B., et al, eds., The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, 2nd edn (New York, W. W. Norton & Co., 2010).

Bibliography recommended reading

Barry, Peter, Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory,
2nd edition (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2002)

Bennett, Andrew & Nicholas Royle, An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and
Theory: Key Critical Concepts
, Third Edition (London: Pearson Longman,
2004)

Catherine Belsey, Critical Practice (London: Methuen, 1980)

Culler, Jonathan, Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford Paperbacks, 2000)

Eagleton, Terry, After Theory (New York: Basic Books, 2003)

Eagleton, Terry, Literary Theory: An Introduction (Oxford: Blackwell, 1983)

Ellman, Maud, ed., Psychoanalytic Literary Criticism (London: Longman, 1994)

Habib, M.A.R., A History of Literary Criticism and Theory: From Plato to the Present
(Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2007)

Leith, Vincent B., et al, eds., The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism,
2nd edn (New York , W.W. Norton & Co., 2010)

Lodge, David and Nigel Wood, eds, Modern Criticism and Theory: A Reader,
3rd edn (London: Longman, 2008)

Moore-Gilbert, Bart, Postcolonial Theory: Contexts, Practices, Politics (London: Verso,
1997)

Peck, John & Martin Coyle, Practical Criticism (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2001)

Waugh, Patricia, Literary Theory and Criticism: An Oxford Guide (Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2006)

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