Module Information

Module Identifier
EN11620
Module Title
Critical Practice
Academic Year
2020/2021
Co-ordinator
Dr Louise Marshall
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment ​Written Portfolio  (Writing Lab Portfolio, 1000 words)  40%
Semester Assessment Written essay  (1 x 2500-word essay)  60%
Supplementary Assessment ​Written Portfolio  (Writing Lab Portfolio, 1000 words)  40%
Supplementary Assessment Written essay  (1 x 2500-word essay)  60%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. ​Deploy critical and interpretative skills appropriate to a given analytical task

2. Use appropriate critical vocabulary in written work and discussion.

3. Demonstrate awareness of the relevance of cultural / philosophical / historical contexts to the interpretation of literary texts

4. Conduct basic research, using appropriate tools, in response to a given task

5. Present their academic writing in accordance with given conventions

6. Engage effectively with the full range of learning activities (lectures / seminars / workshops / tutorials / VLE) utilised in undergraduate-level literary studies teaching.

Brief description

This module will introduce you to the essential skills required for success in critical practice. You will encounter a broad range of issues and skills that will be developed and honed through a range of learning environments including large-group lectures, problem-based group work, and writing labs. Over the course of the module you will discuss four literary texts which, taken together, encompass the range of genres, historical periods, and philosophical issues that will underpin your engagement with literary studies as an undergraduate student. Assessment for this module is varied and designed to provide regular opportunities for formative feedback as well as traditional summative tasks.

Content

There will be two lectures per week, made available asynchronously via the university’s virtual learning environment. The lectures will be accompanied by weekly seminars and writing labs.

The module focusses on the four main aspects of academic critical practice:

Reading the text

Reading historical context

Reading critical context

Building an argument

These four aspects are explored, over the course of the semester, in a series of interlocking ‘cycles’ that focus on four representative texts of short prose fiction, drama, narrative poetry, long prose fiction. Each cycle is constituted of a series of problem-based learning tasks.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number
Communication Written communication in essays. Spoken communication in seminar participation. Group discussion and presentation.
Improving own Learning and Performance ​Developing time-management skills. Independent reading and research Reflective tasks
Information Technology Effective information retrieval and IT for research tasks Effective presentation of written work
Personal Development and Career planning Critical self-reflection and development of transferable communication and research skills.
Problem solving Developing evaluative analysis and critical skills in a controlled argument.
Research skills Developing independent study skills. Relating literary texts to historical and interpretative contexts.
Subject Specific Skills Skills for critical/ theoretical analysis of literary texts and evaluation of broad theoretical concepts.
Team work Group work and problem-based learning tasks

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4