ENMEML: "Early Modern Literature: Texts, Contexts and Methods"

Module code: ENMEML

Module provider: English Literature; School of Literature and Languages

Credits: 20

ECTS credits: 10

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Michelle O'Callaghan, email: m.f.ocallaghan@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Chloe Houston, email: c.houston@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 25 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aims of the module are to encourage students to read widely and to develop their own interests in the field of early modern literature and drama. In so doing, the module aims to encourage students to think about texts in their historical, literary and critical contexts, paying attention to questions of method and approach. In providing deeper knowledge and understanding of the drama, poetry and prose of this period the module aims to introduce students to a range of critical perspectives, encouraging students to think about their own approaches to reading.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the selected early modern texts;
2. Formulate critical questions and interpret texts critically and within their critical contexts;
3. Conduct bibliographic research;
4. Conduct and demonstrate independent thought and research in the selection and analysis of texts;
5. Synthesise a written argument.

Module content

The module will trace a number of key concepts and ideas in the history of early modern English literature and drama. These include questions regarding: periodization; form and genre; authorship and readership; the materiality of text; the history of the book; the global Renaissance; early modern identities; gender and sexuality; critical, literary and historical contexts.

The syllabus for any given year will be decided in advance by the teaching team and advertised before the start of the course. An indicative list of authors studied might include Thomas More, Thomas Wyatt, Isabella Whitney, Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, Thomas Middleton, Fynes Moryson, John Donne, Andrew Marvell, John Milton, and Margaret Cavendish.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be delivered through weekly intensive seminar discussions (one two-hour seminar per week over eleven weeks). Each seminar will involve discussion of texts or special materials that have been set and prepared in advance. Module tutors will also be available for consultation with students on a one-to-one basis to discuss their work and the progress of the module as a whole.

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs