EN0IF-International foundation Programme in English Literature
Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9
Module Convenor: Dr Matthew Scott
Email: t.m.l.scott@reading.ac.uk
Summary module description:
The module offers an introduction to the study of English literature. It will introduce students to poetry, prose and drama produced from the 16th century to the present. Through focusing on specific genres (The Gothic Novel, the pastoral), students will develop an understanding of wider issues relating to canon formation, literary form, contextualisation and interpretation.
Aims:
The module aims to introduce students to the skills necessary for studying English Literature as an academic subject. Students will learn and apply some of the central techniques involved in literary scholarship, engaging in detailed close reading, placing texts in historical and generic contexts and discussing issues of stagecraft.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of a range of English poems, novels and plays, from the 16th century to the present day.
Identify a range of literary features within these texts, using appropriate terminology
Undertake detailed and reflexive readings of narration
Undertake readings of texts informed by cultural contexts
Discuss the difficulties of placing individual texts within a given genre
Articulate some of the challenges involved in staging a play by Shakespeare
Additional outcomes:
Oral and written communication skills will be developed, together with critical, interpretative and analytical abilities. Students will also enhance their IT competence through the use of relevant web resources in a critically informed manner.
Outline content:
Autumn Term: Poetry and Nature
The natural world is often understood in opposition to the cultural. Whereas the latter is clearly affected by changes in fashion and philosophy, the former seems to provide constancy. In the first term of this module students will question this belief through an exploration of changes in representations of nature in poetry, from
the 17th century to the present.
Spring Term: The Gothic Novel
Questions of genre are introduced. Through a study of the Gothic Novel, students will be asked to think about how we group different texts together. Is it a matter of plot, or theme, or imagery, for example? Students will also make connections between individual novels and cultural and literary contexts. Finally, students will explore ways in which a detailed reading of novels can challenge our assumptions about them.
Summer Term: Shakespeare
In the final term, students will study a single play by Shakespeare. Connections will be made between this play and contemporary events, and the play will be situated in terms of dramatic conventions. Students will consider the effect of staging of the play, learn to identify poetic features, and relate detailed textual analysis to wider thematic issues within the play.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
A combination of lectures and structured seminar discussion, for which students are required to do preparatory reading. There will extensive feedback sessions, study skills workshops and opportunities for presenting work to the class.
Summative Assessment Methods:
| Method |
Percentage |
| Written exam |
45 |
| Written assignment including essay |
45 |
| Oral assessment and presentation |
5 |
| Set exercise |
5 |
Summative assessment- Examinations:
Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Summative Assessment Methods (%) - work which always contributes towards the overall module mark:
Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of at least 40% overall.
Reassessment arrangements:
By examination in August/September with continuous assessment carried forward if it is to the advantage of the student.
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:
Last updated: 20 September 2018
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.