AMS-10027 - Transatlantic Gothic: Studies in Nineteenth-Century English and American Literature
Coordinator: Rebecca Bowler Room: 2.037 Tel: +44 1782 7 33017
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

Transatlantic Gothic is an exciting and innovative module which introduces students to one of the most important nineteenth-century literary genres, both in Europe and the United States, and how this influenced work produced in the early twentieth century. Students study important texts of this period in terms of their relationship to European and American literary traditions, and are given training in key critical and theoretical concepts (for example, psychoanalytical and feminist approaches to Gothic literature). The module is designed to develop intermediate writing and research skills. Indicative content may include: E.T.A. Hoffmann, 'The Sandman'; Mary Shelley, Frankenstein; Nathaniel Hawthorne, 'Young Goodman Brown'; Edgar Allan Poe, 'The Black Cat'; Charlotte Perkins Gilman, 'The Yellow Wallpaper'; Henry James, `The Turn of the Screw'; Bram Stoker, Dracula; May Sinclair, 'Where the Fire is not Quenched'; and H.P. Lovecraft, `The Shadow Over Innsmouth¿.
The course is taught through weekly seminars and lectures. A balance of shorter and longer reading assignments makes the workload manageable.

Aims
To introduce students to key literary texts from two national cultures; to equip students with relevant theoretical perspectives.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/ams-10027/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate skills of close textual analysis and the ability to use consistent and accurate bibliographic references: 1,2
Describe, explain and apply key critical and theoretical terms and concepts relevant to the interpretation of Gothic writing: 1,2
Demonstrate familiarity with the generic characteristics of Gothic writing, as well as an awareness of national cultural differences and of the social and historical contexts of Gothic: 1,2

Study hours

Three hours of contact time per week: Two hour lecture slots with one hour of traditional lecture and one hour of directed study (reading and analysing secondary criticism, or skills-based workshops) per week AND one hour discussion-based seminar per week.
120 hours class and assessment preparation


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Coursework weighted 30%
Short paper - close reading exercise of 1000 words
Following a training workshop in Week 5, students will submit a close reading of a short passage from one of the first four core texts on the module. The assessment develops a more reflective awareness of the research and writing process and develops skills required in assessment element 2.

2: Essay weighted 70%
2000 word essay
The essay (is the completed version of the short paper).