Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr James Wilkes

1. To introduce the idea of literary experiment and explore it in particular contexts.
2. To examine reasons why innovative writers either break literary conventions or invent rules and constraints of their own.
3. To place literary experiments with a hisotrical, political and cultural context.
4. To explore the work of key figures in twentieth and twenty-first century literary experiment
5. To explore the practical aspects of experimental writing, from a critical-creative perspective.

Writing in all genres breaks conventions of literary form in order to express or produce cultural change. Histories of experimentation continue throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first, influencing poetry, prose and new hybrid forms. The influence of ideas from Dada and Surrealism will lead into an examination of visual texts, including 1950s concrete poetry and later developments in digital writing. The resurgence of modernist techniques such as collage and the cut-up will be traced in later postmodernist twentieth century fiction and poetry. The module explores the work of an international range of writers such as Tristan Tzara, Gertrude Stein, Eugen Gomringer, Kurt Vonnegut, Anne Garreta, Caroline Bergvall, Claudia Rankine and Lyn Hejinian. Practical experiments in different forms of writing lead to a portfolio of innovative writing and the ability to put it in context.

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

1. Understand the practical aspects of experimental writing, either from a critical or creative perspective.

2. Know the reasons why writers might experiment with literary forms.

3. Understand the work of key figures in literary experimentation.

4. Be able to place literary experimentation within a historical trajectory.

5. Understand the idea of literary experimentation.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Mid-term Essay or Anthology Introduction		40.00
	Portfolio		60.00

		Hours
Seminar	One two-hour seminar per week for 11 weeks One one-hour study group per week for 11 weeks	22
Private study		167
Study group		11

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• 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
• 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.
• 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

Resource implications for students

Some books are recommended for purchase, but are also in the library.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/qxp-3093.html

Reading list

https://blackboard.bangor.ac.uk/ultra/courses/_107554_1/cl/outline

Compulsory in courses:

• 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)
• R1W8: BA French with Creative Writing year 4 (BA/FRCW)
• R2W8: BA German with Creative Writing year 4 (BA/GERCW)
• 8M74: BA Spanish with Creative Writing (with International Exp) year 3 (BA/SCIE)
• R4W8: BA Spanish with Creative Writing year 4 (BA/SPCW)

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)
• WP83: BA Media Studies & Creative Wrtng year 3 (BA/CWMS)
• 2P78: BA English Lit with Creative Writing with International Exp year 4 (BA/ECI)
• 8G55: BA English Language with Creative Writing (with Int Exp) year 4 (BA/ELCIE)
• Q3WL: BA Eng Lang with Creat Writ year 3 (BA/ELCW)
• 8H25: BA English Literature year 3 (BA/ENGL)
• 2D13: BA English Literature with Creative Writing year 3 (BA/ENGLC)
• 8H2P: BA English Literature with Placement Year year 3 (BA/ENGLP)
• 8H26: BA English Literature (with International Experience) year 4 (BA/ENIE)
• P3W8: BA Film Studies and Creative Writing year 3 (BA/FSCW)
• P500: BA Journalism (Subject to Validation) year 3 (BA/J)
• WW39: BA Music and Creative Writing with International Experience year 3 (BA/MCWIE)
• P306: BA Media Studies year 3 (BA/MS)
• P31B: BA Media Studies (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BA/MS1)
• P30F: BA Media Studies [with Foundation Year] year 3 (BA/MSF)
• 8U76: BA Media Studies (with International Experience) year 3 (BA/MSIE)
• P30P: BA Media Studies with Placement Year year 3 (BA/MSP)
• WW38: BA Music and Creative Writing year 3 (BA/MUSCW)
• M1W1: LLB Law with Creative Media Writing year 3 (LLB/LCMW)
• M1W2: LLB Law with Creative Media Writing (International Exp) year 4 (LLB/LCMWI)
• Q2W9: MArts English Literature with Creative Writing year 3 (MARTS/ELCW)