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.
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.
The module will be taught via a series of two-hour interactive lecture workshops with a final 4-hour presentation session.
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 |
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
And it will allow you to develop skills in preparing, presenting, and oral presentation which will be assessed via a
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 |
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% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Leith, Vincent B., et al, eds., The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, 2nd edn (New York, W. W. Norton & Co., 2010).
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)