Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Andrew Webb

This module seeks to explore developments in Welsh writing in English by considering a range of texts and authors from across the twentieth century and up to the present day. In particular, the module will investigate ways in which a tradition of Welsh writing in English, written in English yet voicing distinctively Welsh experiences, emerges from the social, cultural, historical and literary contexts of modern Wales. Set texts will encompass fiction, poetry and drama, and are drawn from North and South Wales (and beyond). Topics emerging from the syllabus material will include (but are not limited to): national identity; belonging and not belonging; language; gender and sexuality; class; industry and its aftermaths; borders and migration; childhood and coming of age; modernity and social change; the gothic; hybridity; literary form. The primary texts are principally written in English, though some work in translation may be included; this will inform a broader consideration of both the tensions and the creative possibilities which emerge from the close proximity of Welsh, English and other languages in modern Wales. The module will also introduce students to a range of theoretical and critical approaches emerging out of contemporary scholarship in the field. These may include: postcolonial theory; gender studies; historicism and cultural materialism; eco-criticism; and literary cartography.

‘Modern Welsh Writing in English’ will consider a range of texts, principally written in English, emerging from modern Wales. The module explores the development of a tradition of Anglophone Welsh writing from the late nineteenth century, across the twentieth century and up to the contemporary moment. In so doing seeks to investigate the varied ways in which Welsh writers – male and female, from North and South (and beyond), rural and industrial, and across a range of genres and forms – have articulated the Welsh experience in all its diversity. The module will also introduce students to some of the current critical and theoretical approaches being adopted in the study of Welsh writing.

threshold

Typically, work graded D- to D+ (or 40 to 49) will show many of the following qualities: • Unsure and lacking in confidence when discussing ideas • Referring to the subject in question in a superficial manner • Making an effort to provide fairly balanced answers • Some points in the argument irrelevant to the topic • Little evidence of background reading • Some uncertainty over language and syntax • Strengths and weaknesses fairly balanced; occasionally clumsy and unimaginative • In creative work: superficial • Not succeeding in mastering the requirements of the medium

good

Typically, work graded B- to B+ (or 60 to 69) will show many of the following qualities: • Discusses ideas adeptly • Most of the arguments about a specific field are well-aired • Displays knowledge of the subject in question; the answer is relevant • Shows analytical and clear thought • Gives evidence of relevant reading • Shows accuracy in expression with mastery over language. • A few minor errors here and there. • Signs of creative thought deserve a higher position within the class • In creative work: shows signs of originality, having understood the requirements of the medium • Plans of well-balanced and full answers, despite some gaps

excellent

Typically, work graded A- to A** (or 70 to 100) will show many of the following qualities:

• Discusses ideas with confidence and precision • Demonstrates maturity and sophistication • Displays deep knowledge of the subject in question; the answer is totally relevant • Shows independent, analytical and clear thought • Gives evidence of substantial and relevant reading • Shows great accuracy in expression, displaying total mastery over all aspects of the language • Shows occasional signs of brilliance and originality of thought • In creative work: displays considerable originality • Command over medium; may have potential for publication/production

1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the work of key Welsh writers in English from across the twentieth century and up to the present day

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural circumstances which gave rise to the development of the Anglophone literature of modern Wales

3. Identify key thematic concerns in the development of modern Welsh writing in English

4. Relate the texts under discussion to their cultural, social and literary contexts

5. Draw on relevant critical approaches to the study of Welsh writing in English

6. Select, digest and organise material and produce a consistent and coherent argument, presented in essay form, to a deadline.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Mid-semester Assessment		50.00
	End of Semester Asssessment		50.00

		Hours
Private study		178
Seminar		22

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/qxe-3031.html

Compulsory in courses:

• 3Q5Q: BA Cymraeg and English Literature year 3 (BA/CEL)
• Q310: BA Eng Lit with Eng Lang year 3 (BA/ELEL)
• 3QV1: BA History and English Literature year 3 (BA/ELH)
• 09V3: BA English Literature and Italian year 4 (BA/ELI)
• 3YT5: BA English Literature and Spanish year 4 (BA/ELIS)
• 065C: BA English Literature with Journalism year 3 (BA/ELJ)
• 1Q3Q: BA Linguistics and English Literature year 3 (BA/ELL)
• QQC3: BA English Lang and Lit year 3 (BA/ELLIT)
• QQCF: BA English Language & English Lit [with Foundation Year] year 3 (BA/ELLITF)
• 32N6: BA English Literature and Music year 3 (BA/ELM)
• 32N7: BA English Literature & Music with International Experience year 3 (BA/ELMIE)
• 32M8: BA English Literature with Theatre and Performance year 3 (BA/ELTP)
• M3Q9: BA English Literature and Criminology and Criminal Justice year 3 (BA/ENC)
• 2P17: BA English Literature and Creative Writing year 3 (BA/ENCW)
• 2P1P: BA English Literature and Creative Writing with Place Yr year 3 (BA/ENCWP)
• 8H25: BA English Literature year 3 (BA/ENGL)
• 8H2P: BA English Literature with Placement Year year 3 (BA/ENGLP)
• 8H26: BA English Literature (with International Experience) year 4 (BA/ENIE)
• 06CD: BA French and English Literature year 4 (BA/FEL)
• 3P3Q: BA Film Studies and English Literature year 3 (BA/FSEL)
• 3N7S: BA German and English Literature year 4 (BA/GEL)
• T124: BA English Literature & Chinese year 4 (BA/LITCH)
• 3HPQ: BA Media Studies and English Literature year 3 (BA/MEN)
• 3VQV: BA Philosophy and Religion and English Literature year 3 (BA/PREN)
• 3L3Q: BA Sociology and English Literature year 3 (BA/SEL)

Optional in courses:

• W890: BA Creative&Professional Writing year 3 (BA/CPW)
• W89P: BA Creative and Professional Writing with Placement Year year 4 (BA/CPWP)
• W899: BA Creative & Professional Writing with International Exp year 4 (BA/CRIE)
• 2P78: BA English Lit with Creative Writing with International Exp year 4 (BA/ECI)
• Q3Q2: BA English Language w English Lit year 3 (BA/ENGEL)
• 2D13: BA English Literature with Creative Writing year 3 (BA/ENGLC)
• Q1Q3: BA Ling with Eng Lit year 3 (BA/LEL)
• M115: LLB Law with English Literature (International Experience) year 3 (LLB/ILEL)
• Q2W9: MArts English Literature with Creative Writing year 3 (MARTS/ELCW)
• Q321: MArts English Literature with International Experience year 3 (MARTS/ELIE)
• Q320: MArts English Literature year 3 (MARTS/ELIT)