EN3LMH-Literature and Mental 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: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr John Scholar
Email: j.m.scholar@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module looks at how literature engaged with mental health in the first half of the twentieth century, a crucial turning point in psychology. Authors may include E.M. Forster, Wilfred Owen, May Sinclair, D. H. Lawrence, and Katherine Mansfield. In the nineteenth century people were becoming increasingly aware of the challenges to mental health posed by city life across Europe. But such challenges were soon overwhelmed by the destruction of the First World War. In its wake two young disciplines, psychiatry and psychology, gained credibility and resources. These disciplines arguably helped to destigmatize mental illness, laying the foundations for how we approach mental health today. But so did the literature of this period which famously turned inwards to record as faithfully as possible the mind in all its complexity. We will look at literary engagement with trauma, anxiety, and obsession, among other things, but we will also look at how literature inspired readers, helping them to feel positive about their minds and bodies, and depicting seminal moments of psychic and sexual liberation.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with an informed critical understanding of writers of the first half of the twentieth century, and an understanding of how the psychological sciences and literature can inform one another.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of changes in both literary form and in the treatment of mental health in the period 1900-1939


• Show an ability to use these debates to inform close critical analysis of selected texts


• Understand the implications of different literary forms for reading


• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychology and psychiatryas contexts for literary study


• Show an ability to use this knowledge to inform close critical analysis of selected texts


• Engage critically with ideas presented in seminars and secondary materials


• Research, organize and articulate a scholarly critical argument in writing

Additional outcomes:

Oral and written communication skills will be developed, together with critical, interpretative and analytical abilities.

Outline content:

This module examines a range of modern writers in the context of wider scientific, therapeutic, social and intellectual debates. Writers may include E.M. Forster, Wilfred Owen, May Sinclair, D. H. Lawrence, and Katherine Mansfield.

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.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		30	1
Tutorials		0.5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		25
Wider reading (directed)		67
Exam revision/preparation		33
Preparation for seminars		17
Completion of formative assessment tasks		9
Essay preparation		17.5
Total hours by term	0	199	1
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A two-hour exam.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A summative essay of 2,500 words, due on Wednesday 20 March.

Formative assessment methods:

Students write a formative essay of 1500 words, on which both written and oral feedback will be offered. Feedback will also be provided on the summative essay.

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 textbooks: £20


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