Module QXE-3022:
Shakespeare and Early Modern Literature
Module Facts
Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media
20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 2
Organiser: Prof Andrew Hiscock
Overall aims and purpose
This module offers third-year students the opportunity to explore in much greater depth their interests in Shakespeare and his contemporaries. As the semester unfolds, you will have the opportunity to study works in prose, poetry and drama, to discover unexpected examples of comedy, tragedy and satire and to consider the ways in which writing in the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century writing engages with, challenges and sometimes thwarts our expectations in the twenty-first century.
Course content
This module offers third-year students the opportunity to explore in much greater depth their interests in Shakespeare and his contemporaries. As the semester unfolds, you will have the opportunity to study works in prose, poetry and drama, to discover unexpected examples of comedy, tragedy and satire and to consider the ways in which writing in the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century writing engages with, challenges and sometimes thwarts our expectations in the twenty-first century.
Assessment Criteria
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
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
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
Learning outcomes
-
enhanced understanding of the diversity of English literature produced from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
-
enhanced research skills with reference to textual analysis.
-
enhanced experience of textual interpretative strategies
-
enhanced skills to exploit library collection, most particularly with reference to the early modern texts and databases of early modern literature.
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Essay 1 - 2,000 word essay | 45.00 | ||
Presentation and discussion | 10.00 | ||
Essay 2 - 2,000 word essay | 45.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Seminar | One two-hour seminar per week for 11 weeks |
22 |
Study group | One one-hour study group per week for 11 weeks Students are encouraged to form together into small groups to perform seminar preparation and to establish areas of agreed understanding and to identify ongoing queries |
11 |
Private study | Students are expected to prepare set texts and relevant critical reading thoroughly for seminar discussion each week. |
167 |
Transferable skills
- 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 sensitevely with others
- Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
- Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
- Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
- Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
- Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
- Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
- Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in
Courses including this module
Optional in courses:
- W890: BA Creative&Professional Writing year 3 (BA/CPW)
- 2P78: BA English Lit with Creative Writing with International Exp year 4 (BA/ECI)
- 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)
- Q3Q2: BA English Language w English Lit year 3 (BA/ENGEL)
- 8H25: BA English Literature year 3 (BA/ENGL)
- 2D13: BA English Literature with Creative Writing year 3 (BA/ENGLC)
- 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)
- Q1Q3: BA Ling with Eng Lit year 3 (BA/LEL)
- 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)
- M115: LLB Law with English Literature (International Experience) year 3 (LLB/ILEL)
- Q2W9: MArts English Literature with Creative Writing year 3 (MARTS/ELCW)
- Q320: MArts English Literature year 3 (MARTS/ELIT)