ENMVGF-Innovations in Form and Genre

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2016/7

Email: j.m.scholar@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module will explore the range of new forms and genres that emerged in the Victorian period through a wide range of methodological approaches to its literatures and cultures. Making special use of unique library holdings, it will examine how changes in modes of cultural production and consumption underpinned these innovations in form and genre and helped to influence the emergence of new and powerful modes of writing. In addition, the module will incorporate an introduction to research methods and resources.

Aims:
This module will explore the range of new forms and genres that emerged in the Victorian period through a wide range of methodological approaches to its literatures and cultures. Making special use of unique library holdings, it will examine how changes in modes of cultural production and consumption underpinned these innovations in form and genre and helped to influence the emergence of new and powerful modes of writing. In addition, the module will incorporate an introduction to research methods and resources.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Assessable outcomes
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
•Identify a range of formal and generic developments in fiction and poetry during the Victorian period
•Recognise and assess the significance of these developments within Victorian culture and in the formation of new cultural values and literary techniques
•Discuss changes in the material conditions of the production and consumption of literary texts in the Victorian period
•Formulate critical questions and interpret texts critically with reference both to formal and generic developments in fiction and poetry and to publishing practice during the Victorian period.
•Conduct and demonstrate independent thought and research in the selection and critical analysis of texts
•Undertake bibliographic research and analysis of primary textual material

Additional outcomes:
The module will encourage students to develop their oral communication skills through discussions in seminars, to think critically both within and across disciplines, and to interrogate their own assumptions and arguments, as well as those of others including their peers and seminar-leaders.

Outline content:
This course will focus on the changing practice of fiction and poetry in the Victorian period, tracing the development of new forms and genres and examining the relevance of transformations in publishing and reading practice to the emerging preoccupation with the commodification of literature and debates over high and low culture. Individual studies of the formal concerns of major novelists such as Charles Dickens and the Brontës, will be supplemented by discussion of new genres such as detective fiction, sensation fiction, historical romance and supernatural fiction. These topics will be read within the context of contemporary theoretical debates and developments in journalism and periodical publication.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module consists of eleven weekly seminars, each lasting two hours. Seminars will involve discussion of texts or special material set and prepared in advance. Some seminars will be taught in the library using material from the archives and rare book collections. The seminars will be taught by a number of different members of the English department, working as a team to combine their individual expertise so as to provide students with a wider range of materials and approaches. The convenor will be available for consultation on a one-to-one basis to discuss their work and the progress of the module as a whole.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:
Students must produce a 4000-word piece of written work on a topic of their own choice, in which they will respond to and develop upon an aspect of the material covered in seminars. The specific title will be determined by the student in consultation with the module convenor.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of coursework

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: 29 October 2019