Module overview
This introductory course will give you an overview of the history of literary and cultural studies, and to make you aware of a range of different approaches to cultural texts.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the implications of working across cultures and across different cultural forms,
- the intellectual history of cultural criticism;
- the importance of historical and national contexts in reading cultural texts;
- ethical issues involved in the study of culture.
- the role of culture in identity formation; the social and political functions of culture and criticism;
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- work independently, organising your time effectively.
- analyse complex material;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- make distinctions between theories of production and consumption of culture;
- critically evaluate the relationship between text and context;
- select an appropriate critical method for the analysis of a specific text or texts.
Syllabus
This introductory module aims to give you an overview of the history of literary and cultural studies, and to make you aware of a range of different approaches to cultural texts. It aims to encourage you to experiment in choosing different critical approaches, and to learn to think consciously about which critical approach(s) might be appropriate in relation to which particular texts. It will train you in close textual reading as well as in analysis of the relationship between texts and their specific cultural contexts.
You will be encouraged to take responsibility for selecting an appropriate critical method for the analysis of a specific text or texts. You will learn to analyse fiction, poetry, film, photography, and of course cultural criticism. In addition, the module will expose you to a range of texts in French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese, taught in English translation. You will be expected to read and cite texts in the particular language(s) you are studying in the original.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- weekly lecture and seminar
Learning activities include
- small group work
- individual presentations
- independent learning
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Lecture | 12 |
Revision | 40 |
Wider reading or practice | 40 |
Seminar | 12 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 2 |
Follow-up work | 4 |
Completion of assessment task | 40 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Barry, Peter (1995). Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory. Manchester University Press.
Hall, Stuart (ed.) (1997). Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. Sage/Open University.
Rivkin, J. and Ryan, M. (1998). Literary Theory: An Introduction. Blackwell.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback
- Group discussion in seminars
Summative
Summative assessment description
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Reading diary | 40% |
Essay | 60% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External