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Unit information: Introduction to Critical Theory and Thought in 2022/23

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Introduction to Critical Theory and Thought
Unit code ENGL10054
Credit points 20
Level of study C/4
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Pam Lock
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
School/department Department of English
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

This unit will offer students an introduction to critical theory and thought and will develop students’ close reading skills and foster their understanding of a range of critical approaches. There will be opportunities to compare and contrast a variety of literary forms.

Aims:

The unit aims to give students an opportunity to enhance their close reading and critical skills, and to think reflectively about their own reading and that of others. The unit will focus these discussions on five or six literary texts, which will be read from a variety of perspectives. A range of shorter critical texts and essays will also be introduced. Students should have an opportunity to acquire knowledge of the conceptual issues and challenges involved in thinking about (and through) literature, which can be employed in future units.

Your learning on this unit

Successful students will be able to:

  1. Reflect on a variety of topics related to reading critically,
  2. Apply reflections to the study of particular texts within the unit
  3. Demonstrate ability to transfer acquired skill and knowledge beyond immediate context.
  4. Demonstrate a sound level of competence and familiarity with academic conventions, research practice, and standards of presentation.

How you will learn

The unit will be taught through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous teaching over a period of week for 10 weeks; each of which will utilise a range of teaching methods including lectures by the tutor(s), formal and informal presentations by students, small group discussion, formative tasks and self-directed exercises.

How you will be assessed

1 x summative essay of 1,800 to 2,500 words (100%). [ILOs 1-4]

The unit mark will comprise of the mark for the summative essay.

Resources

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. ENGL10054).

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.

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