ENMCLE-Contemporary Literature and Ethnicity

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof David Brauner
Email: d.brauner@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module explores the relationship between a range of contemporary British and American fiction with regard to the theory and practice of multiculturalism and cultural pluralism. Through detailed discussion of the work of authors such as Hari Kunzru, Kazuo Ishiguro, Zadie Smith, Claudia Rankine, Colson Whitehead and Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, we will interrogate different theories and models of ethnicity in relation to debates, both general and within the academy, around pluralism, multiculturalism, identity politics, critical race theory etc.

Aims:

• to provide students with detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of contemporary fiction that engages with issues of ethnicity


• to provide students with detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of critical theories and methodologies that address questions of ethnicity


• to encourage students to develop their own critical perspectives on a range of primary material that addresses questions of ethnicity


• to encourage students to analyse and interrogate their own and others’ critical methodologies.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• demonstrate a broad, deep, and coherent knowledge of the primary material on the module


• demonstrate a familiarity with, and ability to engage critically, with the key contextual, theoretical and methodological issues raised in the secondary material on the module


• demonstrate an ability to develop critical arguments through close reading, interpretative analysis and other critical methodologies


• evaluate and interrogate some of the ways in which the selected primary texts express and respond to contemporary social, cultural and historical conditions


• undertake autonomous learning, enquiry and research within the field of contemporary literature and ethnicity, applying their mastery of relevant knowledge, skills and methods.   

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching will be delivered through weekly intensive seminar discussions (one two-hour seminar per week) Each seminar will involve discussion of texts or special materials that have been set and prepared in advance. Module tutors will also be available for consultation with students on a one-to-one basis to discuss their work and the progress of the module as a whole.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		20
Tutorials		1
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (directed)		139
Essay preparation		40
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will produce a 4,000-word essay on one or more of the set texts. The specific essay question or title will be determined by the student in consultation with the module convenor.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required textbooks £30

Last updated: 12 May 2023