English Literature (BA)

Teaching is by a combination of lectures and seminars, with all modules including seminar or small-group teaching. Each module presents a set of intellectual challenges which have in common a concern with the question of how to read the literary (or other cultural) text, and how to write about its significance and meanings. Teaching stresses the importance of the way texts interact with their contexts, and each module is designed to encourage you to focus on a number of specific texts and to prepare carefully a considered answer to specific topics dealt with in the module.

The learning activities will vary from module to module as appropriate, but may include interactive lectures, seminar discussions of prepared texts/topics, student individual or group presentations, small-group work within seminars, peer review in workshops, translation classes, formative writing exercises, journal entries, and film viewings. You are expected to do the reading and other relevant preparation to enable you to take a full part in these activities and are encouraged to explore the resources of the library as appropriate. In the final year of the degree, you have the option of researching and writing a 20-credit English Literature dissertation on a topic of particular interest to you.

How will I be supported?

You will be assigned a Personal Tutor and will meet with them for regular academic feedback meetings (one per semester). There is a form to fill in before each academic feedback meeting which is designed to help you reflect on the written feedback and the reasons for the marks you have received from the previous round of assessment. You will discuss this feedback and your reflections on it with your personal tutor, including your plans moving forward through the degree and beyond.

In addition, all staff have weekly office hours during teaching weeks, and you may make appointments to see your personal tutor or module leaders on a one-to-one basis about any issues. Staff may also be contacted by email. Details of the office hours and email addresses of staff are provided in the module guide for each module.

Key information for each module will be available on our virtual learning environment (Learning Central), together with appropriate additional learning resources, such as lecture notes and slides.

The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.

How will I be assessed?

All English Literature modules offer the opportunity to undertake unassessed draft formative work appropriate to the module. The form(s) of summative assessment for individual modules are set out in the relevant module descriptions. Most modules are assessed by essay and/or examination, but some include other forms of assessment such as journal entries, a portfolio, presentations or video essays.  The assessment strategy is structured to lead you from formative thinking throughout the module towards the production of an informed critical/creative response.

Emphasis in assessment of English Literature modules is placed on the writing of clear, persuasive and scholarly essays presented in a professional manner and submitted on time. Details of any academic or competence standards which may limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for disabled students are noted in the module descriptions.

Written feedback is provided on both formative and summative assessment, and you are encouraged to discuss your ideas with module tutors in seminars and, where appropriate, on a one-to-one basis in office hours. Your achievements and progress are also discussed in regular progress meetings with personal tutors.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Awareness of different literary periods, movements and genres and of the variety of English literature.
•  Understanding of the importance of historical and cultural contexts.
• Ability to sustain a critical argument that is responsive to the workings of language and literary styles.
• Awareness of the bibliographic conventions of the discipline and their role in communicating information.
•  Knowledge of the critical issues and/or debates surrounding, or raised by, texts.
• Understanding of the shaping effects of historical and cultural circumstances on the production and meaning of texts.
•  Knowledge of appropriate critical vocabulary and terminology.

Intellectual Skills:

•  Ability to handle complex ideas with clarity.
• Ability to analyse and interpret material drawn from a diversity of literary periods.
• Ability to apply high level critical skills of close analysis to literary texts.
• Ability to select and organise material purposefully and cogently.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Advanced communication skills (written and oral).
• Ability to give an efficient critical evaluation of documents in various styles.
• Ability to access, use and evaluate electronic data.
• Ability to interact effectively with others, in team or group work situations.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Ability to select and organise material purposefully and cogently.
• Ability to plan, organize, and deliver work to a deadline.