EN2CRI-Critical Issues
Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: English Part 1 or A-Level (A*, A or B)
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2
Module Convenor: Dr Stephen Thomson
Email: s.thomson@reading.ac.uk
Type of module:
Summary module description:
Critical Theory is the philosophy of literary study and this module opens up theoretical ideas connected with language, ideology, ‘structure’, sex and gender, and race. In addition to the range of theoretical arguments discussed, a literary text (George Orwell’s Nineteen-Eighty-Four) is used throughout the module to consider how the ideas can be used to read text and enhance critical analysis.
Seminars discuss the ideas raised in the lectures and use them in relation to Orwell’s novel; debates include what language is and how it creates meaning; how literature may be understood within ‘structures’ and conversely how structures may conceal invested frameworks; how ideology is transmitted, circulated and absorbed ; how race has been constructed via discourses of power; how the postmodern troubles previous faith in concepts such as ‘the real’, ‘truth’, ‘logic’ and ‘reason’. Seminar debate is lively on this module and the ideas we discuss can challenge prior beliefs as well as attitudes towards text and meaning (‘what it says depends on how you look at it: nevertheless, how you look at it depends on what it says’). This module informs all subsequent work at Part 2 and at Part 3 level and is particularly helpful to dissertation work.
The essays used on the module are available on Blackboard. Students are also given weekly ‘seminar preparation’ notes to help guide their reading and their preparation for seminar debate.
Students who are keen to extend their skills in critical thinking, and who are ready to challenge their own ideas and beliefs, will find this module extremely rewarding.
Aims:
Building on the critical and theoretical work undertaken at Part 1 (‘Research and Criticism’), this module aims to develop students’ understanding of some of the most important concepts in modern literary study, through an examination of critical debates and the new perspectives initiated by them. The module also shows students how to use critical and theoretical concepts in reading a literary text; this is demonstrated throughout the module by intersecting the critical ideas with extracts from George Orwell’s novel Nineteen-Eighty-Four.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of key concepts, issues and debates in the contemporary study of literature
- offer detailed and comparative close analysis of texts studied on the module
- engage critically with the ideas presented in lectures, seminars, or secondary materials, and apply critical thinking to reading literary texts
- organize and articu late a coherent written argument in the summative Portfolio assignment (see below).
Additional outcomes:
Students will be encouraged to develop skills of oral communication and effective participation in group work. They will also enhance their IT competence through the use of relevant web resources and databases and in the presentation of assessed work. Students will also gain a more confident and discriminating awareness of their own critical procedures which should inform their subsequent study.
Outline content:
‘Critical Issues’ explores a range of critical debates which have proved formative to modern literary study. We will explore these through a selection of key essays written by contributors to these debates, such as Ferdinand de Saussure, Jean Baudrillard, Virginia Woolf, Hazel Carby, Franz Fanon, and Sojourner Truth. This material is supplemented by additional essays and ideas framed by Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle in An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory (which students are encouraged to buy). This reading will provide a valuable resource in itself, but also a jumping-off point for further research in Part 3.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
A combination of lectures and structured seminar discussion, for which students are required to do preparatory reading. Students are also entitled to a half-hour tutorial on their formative work (see below). With the consent of the module convenor, students may also undertake a placement, through which they will learn how to apply the knowledge and skills gained in studying for this module in a professional context outside the University.
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Lectures | 20 | ||
| Seminars | 10 | ||
| Tutorials | 0.5 | ||
| Guided independent study: | 169.5 | ||
| Total hours by term | 200 | 0 | 0 |
| Total hours for module | 200 |
| Method | Percentage |
| Portfolio | 100 |
Summative assessment- Examinations:
Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
‘Critical Issues’ is assessed through a 100% Portfolio which is submitted by or on the final day of the term in which the module is taught. The Portfolio comprises of three elements and all three elements must be submitted to avoid penalties for incomplete work. The three elements are:
- A 1500-word reading of an extract or extracts of the students’ choice that puts to work, and reflects on the implications of, one or more of the ‘theories’ studied on this module.
- A 2000-word critical essay on two of the texts studied on this module in response to set questions.
- A bibliography comprising all of the texts and sources cited in the first two elements.
For penalties for late submission, see below.
Formative assessment methods:
Work which provides opportunities to improve performance (e.g. through feedback provided) but which does not necessarily always contribute towards the overall module mark:
Students will submit their developing Portfolio for formative feedback by Week 7 of term. They will submit this work using a Word document attached to an email. The module convenor will provide full feedback on the contents of the Portfolio-in-progress, providing ‘feedforward’ to enhance the summative submission. This formative stage will encourage students to begin preparing the Portfolio in a timely manner and it will provide them with an opportunity to act on the feedback.
Penalties for late submission:
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
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.
Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of at least 40% overall.
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August by means of the submission of the complete Portfolio by the given date.
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
Access to the critical essays is via Blackboard (no cost)
Students need to purchase a copy of George Orwell’s Nineteen-Eighty-Four. It is also recommended that students buy a copy of Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle, An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory (see online reading list). Second-hand copies are widely available and there are also spare copies in the University Library.
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:
Last updated: 28 October 2021
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.