Module Identifier |
EN10420 |
Module Title |
ASPECTS OF GENRE |
Academic Year |
2006/2007 |
Co-ordinator |
Professor Diane Watt |
Semester |
Semester 2 |
Other staff |
Dr Stewart J Mottram, Dr Jayne Archer, Dr Louise Marshall, Mr Michael J Smith, Dr Matthew C Francis, Dr William G Slocombe, Dr D Kevin Mills, Dr Elisabeth E Salter, Mrs Carol M Marshall |
Course delivery |
Seminars / Tutorials | 10 Hours. (10 x 1 hour seminars) |
|
Lecture | 20 Hours. (20 x 1 hour lectures: two per week for 10 weeks) |
Assessment |
Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
Semester Exam | 2 Hours A two question examination paper of two hours duration, at the end of Semester 2 | 50% |
Semester Assessment | 2 x 2,000-word assignments | 50% |
Supplementary Assessment | Resubmit any failed elements and/or make good any missing elements. Where this involves re-submission of work, a new topic must be selected. | |
|
Learning outcomes
On the completion of this module students should typically be better able to:
1. read literary texts in an informed and critical manner;
2. discuss literary texts coherently;
3. write about them in a well-structured and well-argued manner;
4. understand the complexities of literary modes and kinds.
Aims
This module aims to:
1. introduce students to texts from a range of genres;
2. enable students to understand the usefulness of the concept of genre;
3. introduce students to the ways in which genres change over time;
4. help students develop critical skills appropriate to different genres.
Brief description
This module considers aspects of the three main literary genres - poetry, drama and prose fiction - with the emphasis mainly on pre-twentieth century writing. Within each genre the module picks out one aspect for special attention. In the case of poetry the focus is on longer forms, whether 'integral' (the verse narrative) or 'composite' (the sonnet sequence); within drama the focus is on comedy; and within prose fiction the focus is on 'the uncanny' - broadly speaking here the genre is defined by content rather than by form.
Content
Weekly lectures and seminars will focus on the set texts listed in the bibliography. Lectures will relate the set texts to their generic and historical contexts, and will seek to show how awareness of such contexts can inform critical interpretation. In seminars students will be able to develop their active understanding of the texts and of concepts of genre, often by means of detailed discussion of selected passages from the set texts.
SEMINAR PROGRAMME
Seminar 1: Introduction
Seminars 2, 3 & 4: Poetry
Seminars 5, 6 & 7: Drama
Seminars 8, 9 & 10: Prose Fiction
Reading Lists
Books
** Should Be Purchased
Geoffrey Chaucer (ed. A.C. Spearing) (1994) The Franklin's Prologue and Tale (2nd edition)
Cambridge University Press
James Hogg (ed. John Carey) Confessions of a Justified Sinner
Oxford World's Classics 0192835904
Jane Austen, ed. John Davie Northanger Abbey
Oxford World's Classics
Joseph Conrad, ed. Cedric Watts Typhoon and Other Tales ('The Secret Sharer' only)
Oxford World's Classics
Oscar Wilde, ed. Peter Raby The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays
Oxford World's Classics
Stephen H. A. Stephen (ed.) (1995) Middle English Romances ('Sir Orfeo' and 'Sir Launfal')
Norton Critical Editions
William Congreve, ed. Brian Gibbons The Way of the World (2nd edn.)
2nd. New Mermaids
William Shakespeare, ed F. H. Mares Much Ado About Nothing
Cambridge University Press
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4