ENG-30110 - Ageing, Narrative and Modern Identity, 1908-2018
Coordinator: David Amigoni Room: CBB1.038 Tel: +44 1782 7 33209
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25


Aims
To introduce students to the relationship between literature, ageing, and identity via an in-depth examination of key narratives (fictional and non-fictional) from the period 1908-2018
To relate these narratives to key social, cultural and demographic contexts, and key theoretical debates including in social and cultural gerontology
To reflect on ageing and identity as a diverse experience from the point of view gender, class, and ethnicity
To reflect on these learning experiences in ways that link literary analysis and insight with real-world challenges and opportunities posed by ageing

Intended Learning Outcomes

Assess critically the relationship between ageing and literature through narrative, one of the key vehicles for interdisciplinary inquiry in ageing studies: 1,2
Present effective close analysis of the relationship between literary narratives about ageing, and other narrative discourses (i.e. policy, reports, social inquiries, memoirs) organised by narrative: 1,2
Demonstrate the research skills appropriate to advanced undergraduate study in the Humanities, and the ability to sustain an argument in written work: 1,2
Plan, research, and produce work within the limitations of time and resources available: 1,2
Assimilate, synthesise and assess major critical approaches to literature and ageing, in particular discussions of authorship, genre, culture (including cultures of care), gender, sexuality, class, race and nation: 1,2
Demonstrate an understanding of the political and institutional questions arising from the relationships between literary and other discourses on ageing (including questions of audience, purpose, evaluation, impact): 1,2

Study hours

24 hours seminars
12 hours workshops
54 hours seminar preparation (heavy reading load)
60 hours assessment preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Short Paper weighted 30%
1000 word short paper 'reading log' based on 3x narratives/seminar discussions
Assessment 1 is modelled on reading group activity; students will reflect personally and critically on attitudes to and experiences of ageing represented in x3 narratives, utilising class discussions where appropriate, commenting on genre, and weaving in elements of critical comparison

2: Essay weighted 70%
Critical essay, reflecting on either literature/policy or different narrative modes
2000 word essay which will reflect on ageing and identity by comparing and contrasting different kinds of novel/narrative: the assessment will explore different iterations of the novel genre, or an iteration of the novel genre and its relationship to another kind of discourse (for example, a memoir, or a policy statement, or a report, or scholarly research paper)