| Unit name | Critical Issues in Contemporary Literature |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ENGLM0071 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Etter |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of English |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
In this unit, you’ll read, discuss and analyse key texts (both literary and critical) related to some of the current major issues in contemporary letters in two week ‘topics’. This work will help you to contextualise your own writing practice in the wider world of contemporary literature. You will also better understand the critical and theoretical concepts on which those concerns and issues are based and be able to articulate your own responses to those issues and concerns.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit will help you to understand your own place in contemporary letters; to understand more about how your identity relates to your writing, to be better able to articulate your own literary aesthetic, and to have a firmer grasp of how these issues have evolved.
An overview of content
You’ll read and discuss current literary texts in light of the literary theory that is currently informing the critical reception of new literature. You’ll also write creatively in response to these ideas.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
You will become more expert about the major issues in contemporary literature and be able to make connections to these ideas and your own work. You will be encouraged to develop reflection and self-awareness about how your work is read.
Learning Outcomes
distinct from what students will learn. Keep them direct, student-facing and concise – no more than three or four. Where possible link outcomes to the Bristol Skills Framework. Highlight any features which prepare students for employability or other skills which students may deploy after graduation. See guidance on producing learning outcomes
You will learn in a large group environment, which will blend lecture, seminar, independent study and writerly workshop to help you to understand and articulate your own responses to the topics we discuss.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will write creative responses and discuss the ideas presented in class. You may also write some short critical writing for class. Your creative work will be discussed at least once in the unit by the entire cohort to give you feedback about how you are applying the ideas in the course to your own creative work. You will also be supported to develop or refresh your essay-writing/study skills with some in-class feedback and in one-to-one tutorials, where you will receive further support and feedback about your developing ideas.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Essay, 2500 words, relating a key critical issue to the student’s own writing and/or similar texts. (100%) [ILOs 1-6]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ENGLM0071).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
