School of Humanities  
 
 
ENG-30063 The Canadian Metropolis  
Co-ordinator: Dr Ceri Morgan    Room: CBB0.055, Tel:34076  
Teaching Team: Mrs Tracey  Lea, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
American Studies Dual Honours (Level 3)
American Studies Minor (Level 3)
American Studies Single Honours (Level 3)
English and American Literatures Single Honours (Level 3)
English Dual Honours (Level 3)
English Major (Level 3)
English Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Barred Combinations
None

Prerequisites
None

Description

What comes to mind when you think of Canada? From the outside, many see it as a safe, civilised country that is, perhaps, not terribly exciting. This is far removed from reality. The country is wrought with tensions, including over Quebec separatism, clashes between francophones, anglophones and immigrants whose first language is neither French nor English, and land claims by aboriginal groups. Although the image of Canada is often one of forests and lakes, populated by the odd Mountie, most Canadians actually live in urban settings. Cities in general are sites where social tensions crystallise. Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are the largest and most culturally and economically important ones in Canada. Therefore, it is not surprising that they find themselves time and again in Canadian and Québécois literature and other forms of cultural production. This module looks at a range of Canadian and Quebecois urban fiction, examining how this contributes to discourses around national and other identities.
Aims
The module aims to enable students to analyse imaginary geographies of the urban, specifically of Canada's three major cities. It will familiarise students with critical frameworks in the Canadian and Quebec contexts, and equip them with an understanding of contemporary debates around identity in Canada.
Intended Learning Outcomes
assess critically fictional writing on Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
recognise and explain the importance of social and political contexts for the interpretation of texts, based on the study of primary material and secondary sources. will be achieved by assessments: 1
utilise a range of approaches from within critical theory (feminist, postmodern, etc) in an informed and nuanced manner. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
conceive and formulate effective arguments about literary texts in written forms. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
develop their research skills through the exploration and deployment of a range of media (paper, digitised material, internet sources, etc). will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Study hours
15 contact hours in seminars lectures or workshops
30 hours preparatory work for seminars/workshops
10 hours preparing and delivering an oral presentation
80 hours researching and writing an essay
15 hours preparing a short paper
Description of Module Assessment
01: Essay weighted 70%
A 3000-3500 word essay
Students will choose one question from a list of 8-10. The essay will require students to carry out significant levels of research on primary and secondary sources.
02: Short Paper weighted 30%
A 1000-1200 word summary of oral presentation
Students will offer a summary of the content of their oral presentations, demonstrating their ability to adhere to appropriate formal conventions regarding written work.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

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