EN1GC-Genre and Context

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Chloe Houston
Email: c.houston@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module is designed to provide knowledge and understanding of two formative pairings of historical moment and genre: the Renaissance stage and the Victorian novel. In the first term, students will study four Renaissance plays, with an emphasis on drama as a distinct genre with its own particular conventions, and with attention to key aspects of the Renaissance stage, from playing spaces to the use of stage props. In the second term students will study three major Victorian novels, engaging with contextual issues of urbanisation, gender, sexuality and identity. In both cases, students will be encouraged to analyse literature in relation to genre and context and will gain an understanding of their intersections at particular historical moments.

Aims:
This module aims to enable students to develop a critical understanding of how literature responds to, and helps to shape, particular cultural, aesthetic, generic and/or socio-political issues in times of significant innovation and change. It aims to introduce students to the ideas of genre and context which will allow a greater understanding of the forms of literature and how they develop at key moments in British literary history. The module also seeks to equip students with skills in sustained and focussed reading and analysis which will be important throughout their degree.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of this module it is expected that students will be able to:
' Exercise critical skills of close-textual analysis
' Identify, evaluate and discriminate between a variety of sources
' Exercise a sophisticated understanding of the intersections between literary and cultural developments
' Show independence in critical thinking and judgement
' Articulate critical judgement through coherent argument, both in coursework essays and under timed, examination conditions

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 in a critically informed manner.

Outline content:

Plays studied in the Autumn Term may include: Christopher Marlowe, Dr. Faustus, and John Webster, The Duchess of Malfi. 



Novels studied in the Spring Term may include: Elizabeth Gaskell, Mary Barton; Charles Dickens, Great Expectations; and Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Lady Audley’s Secret.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
A combination of lectures and structured seminar discussion, for which students are required to do preparatory reading.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10	10	1
Seminars	9	10	1
Guided independent study:	79	79	1
Total hours by term	98	99	3
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

n/a

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

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

Spring Term summative essay (50%), to be submitted on Wednesday 20 March

Formative assessment methods:

A short essay of 1000 words in the Autumn term and an essay of 1500 words in the Spring term. Feedback will also be provided on the assessed essays submitted at the end of each term.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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: 3 October 2023