Module QXL-0001:
Intro to English Lit & Lang
Intro to English Literature and Language 2024-25
QXL-0001
2024-25
School of Arts, Culture And Language
Module - Semester 2
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Briony Collins
Overview
This Foundation Year module will provide you with the opportunity to make deliberate, structured explorations into the way language shapes individuals, societies, and cultures. Through investigations into English Literature, Creative Writing, and English Language, you will develop a core comprehension of key genres, time periods, and theories within the subjects. This comprehension will be further illuminated by detecting the cultural significance of these conversations, identifying how language is not only shaped by people, but vice versa, through reference to both historic and contemporary contexts.
In this module, you will discover key aspects of English Language and English Literature, including Creative Writing. You will investigate core elements of English Literature by pairing a time period (e.g. Early Modern, Victorian, Modern) with a text from that era and a relevant literary theory (e.g. Otherness, Feminism, Psychoanalytic). After this, you will be introduced to common techniques and concepts utilised by writers, examining traditional genres such as war poetry and fiction, to more contemporary developments of the discipline, such as the role of creative writers in the video game industry. In English Language, you will primarily focus on how language shapes identity and vice versa, analysing the history of English through to its evolution in the Internet Age, working on your ability to define and explain uses of language as a tool for expression, persuasion, cultural significance, and more. Throughout this module, you will build an interdisciplinary approach to English, comparing and contrasting different practices within the three subject areas, and applying them to sociohistorical and contemporary contexts, illustrating varied perspectives on matters such as race, disability representation, and gender, to name a few.
Assessment Strategy
-threshold -For English Lit/CW AssessmentsUnsure and lacking in confidence when discussing ideas 鈥eferring to the subject in question in a superficial manner 鈥aking an effort to provide fairly balanced answers 鈥ome points in the argument irrelevant to the topic 鈥ittle evidence of background reading 鈥ome uncertainty over language and syntax 鈥trengths and weaknesses fairly balanced; occasionally clumsy and unimaginative 鈥n creative work: superficial 鈥ot succeeding in mastering the requirements of the mediumFor English Language AssessmentsThreshold D: Student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all the learning outcomes. Student can demonstrate a minimum level of understanding of the basic concepts and be able to apply them to data with some degree of accuracy.
-good -English Lit/CW AssessmentTypically, work graded B- to B+ (or 60 to 69) will show many of the following qualities: 鈥iscusses ideas adeptly 鈥ost of the arguments about a specific field are well-aired 鈥isplays knowledge of the subject in question; the answer is relevant 鈥hows analytical and clear thought 鈥ives evidence of relevant reading 鈥hows accuracy in expression with mastery over language. 鈥 few minor errors here and there. 鈥igns of creative thought deserve a higher position within the class 鈥n creative work: shows signs of originality, having understood the requirements of the medium 鈥lans of well-balanced and full answers, despite some gapsEnglish Language AssessmentGood B: Student has achieved a better-than-average standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes, and has a clear and accurate understanding of concepts; ability to apply concepts to data critically and thoughtfully; evidence of wide reading and clear and accurate reference to source materials; free from misunderstanding and errors of content; free from irrelevant material.
-excellent -English Literature/CW AssessmentTypically, work graded A- to A (or 70 to 100) will show many of the following qualities: 鈥iscusses ideas with confidence and precision 鈥emonstrates maturity and sophistication 鈥isplays deep knowledge of the subject in question; the answer is totally relevant 鈥hows independent, analytical and clear thought 鈥ives evidence of substantial and relevant reading 鈥hows great accuracy in expression, displaying total mastery over all aspects of the language 鈥hows occasional signs of brilliance and originality of thought 鈥n creative work: displays considerable originality 鈥ommand over medium; may have potential for publication/productionEnglish Language Assessment**A:Student has achieved a thorough standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes; or student has demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in one or more learning outcomes together with a good overall standard: student has achieved a thorough understanding of the subject, both in terms of content and theory; student is able to apply concepts clearly and accurately; substantial evidence of critical and original thought and analysis; clear, logical argument; high level of communicative competence; free from irrelevant material and errors of spelling and punctuation; evidence of extensive reading beyond basic texts and clear and accurate references to source material.
Learning Outcomes
- Define and explain literary techniques and theories in a variety of texts, each from a different time period, and interpret how these texts contribute to wider cultural conversations across literature.
- Extrapolate common writing practices from texts and critique their efficacy in producing desired outcomes and meanings from the perspective of a creative writer.
- Illustrate the different ways language creates and consolidates identity, identifying these discoveries in individual and social contexts.
- Reflect on the interdisciplinary relationship of Literature, Creative Writing, and Language, recognising techniques and concepts from the different subject areas to formulate nuanced commentary on English in both theory and practice.
Assessment method
Individual Presentation
Assessment type
Summative
Description
At end of semester, students prepare a poster + 5-7 minute video presentation on a personal response to topics covered in the module. (Poster = 60%, Presentation = 40%).
Weighting
50%
Due date
16/05/2025
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Students must write an essay of 1500 words, responding to one of the prompts provided. This will allow students to utilise their 'introductory knowledge on a range of topics' (LO: B3), provide evidence of understanding this 'scope of topics' (LO: A1), and test their abilities 'to write in the manner appropriate to the discipline' (LO: D2).
Weighting
50%
Due date
14/03/2025