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 TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours A two question examination paper of two hours duration, at the end of Semester 250%
Semester Assessment 2 x 2,000-word assignments50%
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