EN3ECN-The Eighteenth-Century Novel: Sex and Sensibility

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Part 1 English
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Rebecca Bullard
Email: r.bullard@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The novel as we know it today was born during the eighteenth century. From the first, novels display an intense fascination with the human body, constructions of gender and sexuality, and the physical and emotional responses of readers to the words on the page. But why are eighteenth-century novelists so interested in sex and - to use a key word of the period - sensibility? What different kinds of response do they elicit from their readers? And how can contemporary and recent ideas about the body, gender, authorship and reading help us to interpret these innovative literary texts? 

Aims:

The module aims to equip students with critical skills that will: enable them to interpret and analyse eighteenth-century novels; introduce them to the broader literary and cultural contexts of the period in which the novels were first written, published and read; explore a wide variety of recent critical and theoretical approaches towards eighteenth-century novels; undertake independent research; construct coherent arguments in oral and written form.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Across a range of different forms of assessment students will be expected to: - Engage in close textual analysis; - Situate texts within their particular historical, cultural, literary and generic contexts.- Analyse the interrelations between different authors and texts within the period studied - Undertake independent research using high-quality physical and/or digital resources - Engage critically with ideas discussed in seminars - Construct and express coherent arguments in writing.

Additional outcomes:
Oral and written communication skills will be developed, together with critical, interpretative and analytical abilities. IT skills (word-processing and web-based research) will be developed over the course of the module.

Outline content:

Texts to be studied may include: Daniel Defoe, Roxana; Eliza Haywood, Fantomina; Samuel Richardson, Pamela; Henry Fielding, Shamela; Frances Burney, Evelina; Mary Hays, Memoirs of Emma Courtney; Mary Wollstonecraft, Maria, or The Wrongs of Woman; Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Three seminar hours weekly, for which students are required to do preparatory reading. Students are also entitled to a half-hour tutorial on their formative written work. 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.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	30		1
Tutorials	0.5
Guided independent study:	129.5		39
Total hours by term		0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Two-hour examination (50%), to be sat during the Summer Term.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessed essay of 2500 words (50%), to be submitted at the end of week 11, Autumn Term.

Formative assessment methods:

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 write one formative essay, of between 1500 and 2000 words. Feedback will also be provided on the assessed essay of 2500 words, or the equivalent placement report.

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.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
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. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be resubmitted in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

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: 24 November 2021