EN3JJ: James Joyce

Module code: EN3JJ

Module provider: English Literature; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Mark Nixon, email: m.nixon@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Steven Matthews, email: s.matthews@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have at least 40 credits of EN-coded modules at Part 1 (except for visiting students). (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is designed to provide students with knowledge and understanding of James Joyce's experimental and influential novelUlysses (1922), and to give an introduction to what is arguably the most challenging and wonderful book of the twentieth century,Finnegans Wake. It aims to promote skills of textual analysis, to explore the theoretical issues raised by the texts and to locate Joyce’s work within broader cultural contexts. Students will also be introduced to the University’s Joyce archive, one of the most formidable manuscript and correspondence collections worldwide.  

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Apply discipline-specific practices of close reading, interpretative analysis and critical argument
2. Distinguish and evaluate different research methods, themes, and theoretical debates in current literary studies
3. Undertake autonomous learning, enquiry and research within the discipline of English literature, applying their mastery of relevant knowledge, skills and methods
4. Discuss and appraise published research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, within the field of English literature
5. Respond creatively and imaginatively to essay questions and research tasks, for the purpose of devising and sustaining arguments, and of reaching decisive judgments

Module content

This course explores the works of James Joyce, renowned for their experimentation with language and literary form. The module will focus on the controversial and highly influential masterpiece Ulysses (1922), although other texts will also feature. At the same time, the module will tackle parts of Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, one of the most challenging and enigmatic pieces of literary fiction ever written. Joyce’s work will be examined through close textual analysis and within literary, political and historical contexts, covering issues such as Joyce’s relation to European literature; the nature and limits of formal experimentation; the politics of Modernism and the figure of the artist; nationalism, religion and Ireland. Furthermore, the module will examine Joyce’s compositional processes, and will introduce students to the (amazing) Joyce Archive held at the University of Reading. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be delivered through weekly intensive seminar discussions (one two-hour seminar and a one-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. 

Study hours

At least 33 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

This can take the form of notes or an annotated bibliography toward either or both of the two coursework assignments. 

Reassessment

Additional costs