EN3BIB-Bibliotherapy: Writing and Health

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Andrew Mangham
Email: a.s.mangham@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module explores the link between literature and health through three major themes: writing illness, the medical memoir, and writing therapy. The first of themes considers how literature has provided a medium for describing, exploring, and coming to terms with illness. The second looks at the works written by health professionals with a view to interrogating the way literature provides a platform for representing the realities of modern medicine. The third and final theme will look closer at the idea of bibliotherapy: literature as therapy. We will consider how literature has been discussed as having played a role in the treatment of a range of complex health conditions, from depression and anxiety to memory-related and cognitive disorders. The module will provide students with the option of undertaking a placement with a local health-care provider, working with professionals in producing, exploring, and sharing patient stories.

Aims:

The module aims to introduce students to the fact that literature makes an important intervention in the worlds of wellbeing and healthcare. It explores how narrative has always been central to medicine – both in terms of the stories medicine produces, but also in the way we articulate wellness and illness through particular languages. The module provides the basis for developing a relationship with healthcare through literature – ‘upskilling’ students with the tools they need to think about a career in care, or in a role which benefits from a willingness to question how we talk about, and strive for, wellness. The module will allow students to be ‘hands-on’ with the local community, observing the art of health-giving through a specialist and unique knowledge of literature.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students will be expected to:

• Show skills of close textual analysis, theoretical synthesis, and the application of our discipline to the global topic of health


• Demonstrate an ability to think about health and wellbeing in a way that is unique in professional settings


• Show an awareness of broader global issues generated by literature’s intersections with health and the history of medicine


• Construct and express coherent arguments, both orally and in writing

Additional outcomes:

Oral and written communication skills will be developed, together with critical, interpretative and analytical abilities. Students will also enhance their IT competence through the use of relevant web resources.

Outline content:

Texts to be studied include Arthur W. Frank, The Wounded Storyteller; Rita Charon, Narrative Medicine; Susan Sontag, Illness as Metaphor; Siri Hustvedt, The Shaking Woman; Adam Kay, This is Going to Hurt; Austin Duffy, This Living and Immortal Thing; and Oliver Sacks, Everything in its Place.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Structured seminars of 3 hours in total, 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 healthcare context outside the University.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		30	1
Tutorials		0.5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		17.5
Wider reading (directed)		50
Exam revision/preparation		28	39
Preparation for seminars		11
Completion of formative assessment tasks		8
Essay preparation		15
Total hours by term	0	160	40
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Portfolio	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1 essay of 2500 words (due week 11 of spring term)

1 portfolio of 2500 words (due week 1 of summer term)

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be invited to submit their portfolio during week 6 of spring term and will receive formative 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.

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:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in the summer period. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: £30 approx.

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: 29 March 2022