| Unit name | Texts in a Global Context |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ENGL10052 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Kiguru |
| 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?
Taking a transhistorical approach, this unit introduces you to a wide range of textual production in global contexts. Focusing on the circulation of anglophone literatures, you will consider the wider cultural, historical and social aspects with which texts from the global south and its diasporas engage and how they relate to artistic and cultural exchanges often linked to imperialism and its aftermaths. Centring on the twinned concepts of English as global language and literature as a globally circulating medium, this unit invites you to explore these paradigms through a range of critical lenses, including ecocritical, postcolonial and transnational perspectives. Through an introduction to different methodological approaches, you will explore the reach, scope and impact of global textualities across time and space. The unit introduces you to diverse stylistic features and thematic concerns relevant to the analysis of the historical legacies of empire, global networks as well as contemporary issues of globalisation.
How does this unit fit into the programme of study
Exploration units offer thought-provoking and engaging investigations into key topics, including period-focused, thematic, and trans-historical options. You will hone your abilities as a researcher able to navigate skilfully a range of databases and archives, as well as engaging effectively with more advanced critical and theoretical perspectives. Exploration units ask you to both rethink the familiar and meet the unexpected, and encourage you to develop depth as well as breadth of critical understanding.
An overview of content
Texts in a Global Context introduces you to a wide selection of texts and creative forms. You will study poetry, critical non-fiction, film, novels and short stories to explore a range of themes, including writing of and writing back to empire, world Englishes, travellers' tales, human rights cultures, writing environmental crisis, LGBTQI+ representations in global contexts, and diaspora and transnationalism.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
On completion of the unit, you will have knowledge of a wide variety of texts, learnt to intellectually engage with a range of genres, including fiction, film, non-fiction, poetry and life writing, and be able to apply critical and theoretical concepts relevant to studying literatures in global contexts. You will have extended your knowledge of literary cultural production in the context of global and postcolonial literatures in ways that not only connects to this unit but will be a meaningful foundation as you move to the next stage of your programme of study.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
1. apply knowledge of critical-conceptual, cultural, historical, and intellectual contexts of global Anglophone writing that emerge in a range of geographical locations, contexts and moments;
2. engage with critical concepts and materials relevant to the study of global Anglophone writing to develop critical analyses;
3. develop textual analysis, argumentation, and critical interpretation using evidence from primary texts and secondary sources;
4. develop an ability to work both individually and as a team by contributing to group tasks and discussions.
The unit is taught by seminars and a lecture programme. Teaching includes group discussion, research and writing activities, and peer dialogue. Students are expected to attend all timetabled teaching, engage with the reading, and participate fully with the weekly tasks and topics. Learning will be further supported through the opportunity for individual consultation.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Contribution mark (10%) [ILO 4]
Group presentation (30%) [ILO 1-4]
Portfolio of 3x700-word writing exercises (60%) [ILO 1-3]
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 format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the 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. ENGL10052).
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.
