| Unit name | Contemporary Literature and Science |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ENGL30049 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Josie Gill |
| 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 |
This unit explores the relationship between science and literature since 1990. Reading a range of contemporary literary texts and best-selling popular science writing, we will examine representations of genetics, evolutionary theory, neuroscience and physics. As we consider key critical debates about the relationship between the disciplines, we will address: differences between literary and scientific ways of knowing the world; the extent to which contemporary literature and science constitute ‘two cultures’; the role of literature in a period dominated by scientific explanations of human life; the ethical challenges posed by contemporary science and writers’ responses to them; literary language and metaphor in science; and the influence of scientific ideas and methodologies on literary form.
Students will be given the opportunity to submit a draft or outline of their final, summative essay of up to 1,500 words and to receive feedback on this.
On successful completion of this unit students will have
(1) developed a detailed knowledge of a wide range of literary and non-fiction texts that engage with science;
(2) developed a critical understanding of the key debates about the relationship between literature and science;
(3) acquired an understanding of major critical approaches to the primary texts;
(4) demonstrated their ability to analyse and compare scientific and literary texts;
(5) strengthened their skills in academic writing, argumentation, and evaluation of evidence from primary texts and critical literature.
1 x 2-hour seminar per week.
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. ENGL30049).
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 Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
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. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
