| Unit name | Mastering English Literature Short Course |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HUMS30014 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Savage |
| 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 | School of Humanities |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Mastering English Literature (MEL) is for graduates of any discipline. The course will support students to analyse texts and write essays to graduate standard. The programme is for those wanting to explore literature as an academic pursuit or as preparation for application to MA programmes in English Literature, Medieval Literature, Black Humanities and Creative Writing offered at Bristol. MEL allows graduates to sample the University’s expertise in the fields of: medieval literature; Shakespeare and renaissance literature; romantic and Victorian literature; 20th-century and contemporary literature; literature and the environment; black British writing; and creative writing. The course is designed to prepare students for postgraduate scholarship, and participants will have the opportunity to work with specialist tutors on formative exercises and an assessed academic essay that could be submitted in support of an application for postgraduate study in a literary discipline. Students will have full access to the University library and student study centres. Guidance will be provided for students who wish to progress to an MA in English.
Overview of content:
Mastering English Literature (MEL) is for graduates of any discipline. The course will support students to analyse texts and write essays to graduate standard. The programme is for those wanting to explore literature as an academic pursuit or as preparation for application to MA programmes in English Literature, Medieval Literature, Black Humanities and Creative Writing offered at Bristol. MEL allows graduates to sample the University’s expertise in the fields of medieval literature; Shakespeare and renaissance literature; romantic and Victorian literature; 20th-century and contemporary literature; literature and the environment; black British writing; and creative writing. The course is designed to prepare students for postgraduate scholarship, and participants will have the opportunity to work with specialist tutors on an academic essay that could be submitted in support of an application for postgraduate study in a literary discipline. Students will have full access to the University library and student study centres. Guidance will be provided for students who wish to progress to an MA in English.
The unit will aim to help students produce written work within the course, of a standard appropriate to be submitted as a writing sample with an application to join a relevant MA course.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
You will be taught in a small-group setting that allow you to develop your knowledge and understanding through critical reading and extensive discussion that engages with current literary debates in Medieval Studies, English Literature, Black Humanities and Creative Writing. You will develop your analytical skills, building confidence and competencies that will help you to produce a piece of assessed work that could be used for a Master’s application, as well as provide a foundation for postgraduate study.
Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the cultural, theoretical, literary and political constructions of texts and themes covered on the course;
2. apply thorough understanding of the historical, cultural and intellectual contexts to readings of literary texts and other writings such as non-fiction or images;
3. discriminate between different critical perspectives on the literature studied;
4. identify and present pertinent evidence to develop a cogent argument;
5. demonstrate skills in textual analysis, argumentation, and critical interpretation, using evidence from primary texts and secondary sources.
There will be 10 two-hours seminars one evening per week spread across TB4, as well as one-to-one support from a tutor. Teaching will include long- and short-form lectures, group discussion, research and writing activities, and peer dialogue. Students are expected to 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):
3,000 word essay (100%) [ILOs 1-5]
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. HUMS30014).
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 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.
