EN2CRI-Critical Issues

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: English Part 1 or A-Level (A*, A or B)
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Stephen Thomson
Email: s.thomson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Building on ideas and issues already broached in EN1RC Research & Criticism, this module offers the opportunity to explore critical theory in greater depth. The study of a variety of theoretical texts dealing with topics such as language, ideology, power, gender, and race, will offer not only ‘tools’ for dealing with these issues but also a space in which to reflect on, and gain a deeper understanding of, the ways in which these issues have commonly been thought. This is a challenging module, demanding patient engagement with arguments that may not immediately fit into our common-sense ways of thinking and that may, indeed, require us to question some of the grounding assumptions on which our everyday thinkings rests. But it is also a deeply rewarding module, and highly recommended for anyone considering a dissertation touching on any of the topics mentioned above.

Aims:

Building on the critical and theoretical work undertaken at Part 1 (‘Research and Criticism’), this module aims to develop students’ understanding of some of the most important concepts in modern literary study, through an examination of critical debates and Ìýtheoretical perspectives.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• demonstrate an understanding of key concepts, issues, and debates in the contemporary study of literature


• offer detailed and comparative close analysis of texts studied on the module


• engage critically with the ideas presented in lectures, seminars, or secondary materials, and apply critical thinking to reading literary texts


• organize and articulate a coherent written argument in the summative Ìýassignment (see below).

Additional outcomes:

Students will be encouraged to develop skills of oral communication and effective participation in group work. They will also enhance their IT competence through the use of relevant web resources and databases and in the presentation of assessed work. Students will also gain a more confident and discriminating awareness of their own critical procedures which should inform their subsequent study.Ìý

Outline content:

‘Critical Issues’ explores a range of critical debates which have proved formative to modern literary study Ìýthrough a selection of key essays by important thinkers. These may include Ferdinand de Saussure, Jean Baudrillard, Virginia Woolf, Hazel Carby, Franz Fanon, and Sojourner Truth.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A combination of lecture screencasts and structured seminar discussion, for which students are required to do preparatory reading. Students are also entitled to a half-hour tutorial on their Formative Essay. 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 professional context outside the University.Ìý

Contact hours:

Ìý	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Seminars	10
Tutorials	0.5
Guided independent study:	169.5
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Portfolio	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

EN2CRI Critical Issues is assessed by two pieces of coursework:

• A 1500-word reading of an extract or extracts of the students’ choice that puts to work, and reflects on the implications of, one or more of the ‘theories’ studied on this module. This is worth 30% of the module mark and should be submitted in week 8 of the term when the module is taught.


• A 2000-word critical essay on two of the texts studied on this module in response to set questions. This is worth 70% of the module mark and should be submitted in the first week of the following term.

Formative assessment methods:

By the end of Week 5, students will submit a Formative Essay responding to set questions. Feedback will be provided in the form of annotations and commentary on the script of the essay, and via essay tutorial.

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: /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 by means of the submission of the complete Portfolio by the given date.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:Ìý

Access to the critical essays is via Blackboard (no cost)

Students need to purchase a copy of George Orwell’sÌýNineteen-Eighty-Four. It is also recommended that students buy a copy of Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle,ÌýAn Introduction to Literature, Criticism and TheoryÌý(see online reading list). Second-hand copies are widely available and there are also spare copies in the University Library.

2) Specialist equipment or materials:Ìý

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:Ìý

4) Printing and binding:Ìý

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:Ìý

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:Ìý

Last updated: 30 March 2023