BA (Hons) English with American Literature
Core modules†
Year 1
Module: Critical Reading 1
Indicative Tutorial Team: Dr Mick
Jardine, Dr Amanda Boulter; Dr Ruth
Gilbert; Dr Nick Rowe, Dr Liam
Connell,
Summary: This is the first of two
related modules which together
form a broad introduction to critical
reading of literary texts. This first
module is designed to build upon
reading skills developed at predegree level and to introduce more
advanced reading skills, drawing
upon developments in
undergraduate English. It will focus
on key aspects of engagement with
literature: the role of the reader; the
authority of the author; text, context
and intertextuality; canon-formation;
genre and generic expectation;
literature and identity politics; nation
and narration. Students will develop
their reading skills with a wide range
of texts, including fiction, poetry and
short stories, both canonical and
non-canonical. Students will be
made aware of the history of the
discipline as it has moved through
different kinds of reading practice
since its first appearance in English
universities. This will provide a
context in which to place the
discipline’s development through the
so-called ‘theory revolution’ and its
aftermath.
Module: Critical Reading 2
Indicative Tutorial Team: Dr Mick
Jardine, Dr Amanda Boulter; Dr Ruth
Gilbert; Dr Nick Rowe, Dr Liam
Connell
Summary: This is the second of two
related modules which together
form a foundational introduction to
the critical reading of literary texts.
This module will build upon the first
by giving students an opportunity to
engage with selected literary, critical
and theoretical texts, brought
together in order to demonstrate the
application of major critical theories
to literature from different genres
and periods. Students will acquire
from this module the critical and
theoretical basis for the remainder of
their undergraduate work in English.
It will follow a chronological scheme
in order to show how literary
criticism has changed through
debate and controversy in relation to
changes within society and the
academy. It will incorporate the most
recent developments in criticism,
introducing students to key critical
extracts alongside literary texts in
order to familiarize them with the
most significant ideas of the most
influential thinkers for the study of
literature.
Module: Introduction to English
Studies
Indicative Tutorial Team: All subject
tutors
Summary: This module offers
students an opportunity to negotiate
the transition to undergraduate
study of English in a small group
environment that will promote
interaction with fellow students and
the module tutor. Students will be
involved in detailed discussion of
their interpretations of fictional texts
and will share their experience in the
location and evaluation of relevant
critical writing. There will be
opportunities to share and compare
essay-writing strategies and research
methods and to ensure the
referencing requirements and
conventions of degree-level work are
understood. The iterative essay,
where a draft will receive feedback
before final submission, will promote
reflection on research, essay writing,
and understanding of marking
criteria. There will also be an
opportunity to have an initial
experience of assessed oral
presentation before a relatively small
audience and to use a range of
relevant web-based resources.
Module: Early English Texts and
Contexts
Indicative Tutorial Team: All subject
tutors
Summary: This module is designed
to introduce students to a range of
literary texts and genres from the
medieval period up to the eighteenth
century, opening consideration of
the advantages and disadvantages of
understanding these texts in relation
to their historical contexts. This will
include consideration of the
following: the changing practices of
publication and composition of
audience; the historical, political and
cultural contexts; contemporary
conceptualisations of genre, gender
roles and sexual identity; treatment
of issues of colonialism, national
identity, ethnic difference and
religious affiliation. By tracing these
topics across texts from different
periods comparison and contrast in
relation to historical change will be
highlighted. Students will be
encouraged to draw from the
theoretical materials studied in
Critical Reading 1 and 2 to develop
their interpretations of these texts.
The use of texts that have already
received considerable critical
attention will enable students to
engage with existing critical
discussion in these areas.
Year 2
No core modules
Year 3
Module: Dissertation
Indicative Tutorial Team: All subject
tutors
Summary: The dissertation is an
extended treatment of between
8,000 and 10,000 words of a subject
of the student’s choice (subject to
approval). Study is primarily studentdirected, with supervision supplied
by tutors teaching/researching in the
subject area. There will be a small
number of general lectures to
further provide guidance through the
process.
Module: Creative and Critical
Extended Study
Indicative Tutorial Team: All subject
tutors
Summary: A project that
incorporates some Creative Writing
is available to students who have
studied a Creative Writing module at
level 2.
The Creative and Critical Extended
Study consists of:
• a piece of creative writing of
between 4,000 and 5,000
words (with word count
exceptions such as those in a
poetry collection to be agreed
by supervising tutor).
• a supporting Rationale of 45,000 words that
demonstrates a substantial
engagement with a particular
critical issue relevant to the
creative piece.
• a supporting Bibliography.
Study is primarily student-directed,
with supervision supplied by tutors
teaching/researching in the subject
area. There will be a small number
of general lectures to further provide
guidance through the process.
†
Please note the University cannot
guarantee the availability of all
modules listed and modules may be
subject to change.