ENG-10027: Becoming a Critic

School of Humanities

ENG-10027

Becoming a Critic

Co-ordinator:

Dr Ceri Morgan Room: CBB0.055, Tel:34076

Teaching Team:

Dr Roger Pooley, Mrs Tracey Lea, Prof David Amigoni, Miss Jo-Anne Watts, Dr Nicholas Seager, Dr Anthony Carrigan, Miss Elizabeth Pritchett

Lecture Time:

See Timetable...

Level:

Credits:

Study Hours:

150

School Office:

Tel: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for

Film Studies Dual Honours (Level 1)
Film Studies Minor (Level 1)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Prerequisites

'A' Level English or equivalent or 'Reading Literature' (semester I core module) or 'Telling Tales' (semester I programme elective module) or 'Poetry Through Practice' (semester I programme elective)

Barred Combinations

None

Description

What kinds of social and historical contexts do we need to understand narratives from different cultures and historical periods? What are the distinctive features of literary narrative? How is it different from film? This module addresses each of these questions while also encouraging students to think seriously about the pleasures and challenges of a form of communication that surrounds us every day. As a core module for English students it is also designed to help students manage the transition from 'A' level or equivalent to self-study, group work, and formal assessment at university level. The set texts for the module will include examples of postcolonial literature and will range from the 18th century to the present day. Students will look at a selection of novels, films and short stories and will be introduced to a number of key concepts (including postcolonialism and postmodernism) in literary and film criticism.

Aims

To give students the opportunity to sample a variety of prose fiction from 1700 to the present day and from writers of diverse cultural backgrounds.

To introduce students to the critical concepts of postcolonialism and postmodernism.

To introduce students to some of the defining characteristics of prose and film narrative and to some of the critical and theoretical traditions which have shaped our understanding of these.

To equip students with an appreciation of the regional and global varieties of literatures in English and also to film.

To enable students to recognise literature&©s relationship to other forms of cultural production, especially film.

To develop essay writing and basic degree level research skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe and evaluate a variety of narrative styles in literature and film will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
understand and apply the concept of the postcolonial and/or postmodernism within critical analysis will be achieved by assessments: 2

demonstrate an understanding of regional and global literatures in English and in film will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3

demonstrate a basic use of electronic resources, skills of note-taking, proof-reading, and bibliographic conventions
will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2

demonstrate skills of textual interpretation, analysis and argument, orally and in writing will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3,4

demonstrate an ability to interact critically and constructively with other students and their work will be achieved by assessments: 4

Study hours

lectures (10 hours)
small group classes (10 hours)
seminar preparation and private study (75 hours)
essay writing and preparation (44 hours)
formative exercise preparation and writing (10 hours)
feedback (1 hour)

Description of Module Assessment

01: Short Paper weighted 20%

Short written exercise (1200 words)
Students will write a brief (1200 word) analysis of an extract of prose fiction on which they will receive written feedback.

02: Essay weighted 60%

2000 word essay
Students will prepare a professionally presented and documented essay. They will choose one topic from a list provided.

03: Group Presentation weighted 20%

Students will give a brief presentation of no more than 10 minutes.
A mark will be given for: quality of presentation skills, clarity of argument, ability to work constructively, critically and collaboratively with other students. Students will submit a short (one page) written handout/summary of their presentation.

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.