Module FOUD0471: English Literature

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0471: English Literature

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To introduce students to a wide variety of literary texts from various periods and different genres
• To introduce ways of reading texts which include an analysis of form, narrative perspective, intertextuality, literary theory, and some knowledge of the context in which the text was produced
• To increase students’ confidence in their personal response to literature
• To develop accuracy in writing

Content

• Students will develop familiarity with a variety of genres including poetry, the novel and drama from a variety of periods.
• Students will be introduced to different ways of reading and interpreting a text.
• These texts will provide the basis for students to engage in discussions to develop their ability to analyse, imagine, argue, and compare/ contrast.
• These texts will provide the basis for students to produce written work of the following genres: descriptive, analytical and creative.
• Students will be required to organise and express relevant information clearly, coherently and in an academic manner.
• Students will develop the ability to express their responses to literature with confidence, using with the correct terminology.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will:
• Articulate creative, informed and relevant responses to literary texts (both verbal and written), using appropriate terminology and concepts, as well as coherent, accurate written expression (SK1)
• Demonstrate detailed critical understanding in analysing the ways in which structure, form and language shape meanings in literary texts (SK2)
• Explore connections and comparisons between different literary texts, informed by interpretations of other readers (SK3)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received (SK4)

• Students will:
• Explain and understand key features in the analysis of poetry (e.g. form, structure, language, theme) as well as employ appropriate vocabulary in their analysis (e.g. ‘sonnet’, ‘elegy’, ‘alliteration’, ‘rhyme’, etc..) in order to approach the analysis of a poem with confidence (SS1)
• Understand and be able to discuss key features of prose texts (e.g. genre, plot, point of view, character, theme, language, etc…) in order to approach the analysis of a prose text (e.g. a novel or a fairy tale) (SS2)
• Identify the key features of a play (e.g. language, dialogue, etc…) including the context in which the play was written, and be able to employ appropriate vocabulary, in order to approach the analysis of a play with confidence (SS3)
• Explain the key features of a range of literary theories (e.g. feminist, post-colonial, and/ or psychoanalytic theory) and be able to employ at least one of these in the analysis of a literary text (SS4)

• Students will:
• Improve the ability to communicate ideas effectively in writing (KS1)
• Demonstrate skills of critical analysis (KS2)
• Sustain a clear and coherent argument (KS3)
• Use information resources effectively (KS4)

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching will be in the form of tutor- led classes and discussions.
• Learning and understanding will be consolidated through the use of exercises, group work, discussions, tutorials and students’ independent study.
• Knowledge and skills will be assessed by two summative assignments, a January test, and an examination.
• Assignment One assesses: SK1, SK3, SS2, SS4, KS1, KS2, KS4
• Assignment Two assesses: SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, SS2, SS4, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4
• Test 1 assesses: SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, SS1, SS3, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4
• The exam assesses: SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, SS1, SS2, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4
• Summative assessment for the module will include 2 assignments, one on Fairy Tales and the other a Critical Review of a novel. The Fairy Tale assignment will be comprised of: a seminar presentation; a re-telling of a well-known folk tale; and a short reflection on how and why the fairy tale was subverted. The Critical Review has four components: an annotated bibliography; an introduction; a general analysis of the novel with the application of a literary theory; and a close reading of a selected extract.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Formative assessments will depend on the needs of the group. Examples may include: discussion/ comprehension questions on selected texts; analysis of extracts/ poems/ short stories or scenes from plays; seminar preparation; and/ or creative writing assignments.