The main aims of this module are to explore the work of a variety of women writers across a range of genres, including poetry, prose (fiction and non-fiction) and autobiography (fictional and non-fictional). To read women's writing in the context of feminist critical theory and debate, but without insisting upon femininist interpretation or response as the only valid response to works by women.

(LO1) On completing this module students should have acquired an informed awareness of the richness and diversity of women's writing and its place in the traditions of literature in English.

(LO2) By the end of this module students should be able to engage with some aspects of feminist theoretical debate and be able to discuss its relations to women's writing.

(LO3) Over the course of the module students will have had the opportunity to develop a written style that suits their own particular outlook on and interests in women's writing and the opportunity it offers to create new modes of expression or argument.

(LO4) By the end of the module students will have acquired experience in selecting and completing essays on topics of their own choice and gained an understanding of what makes a feasible and interesting subject for an essay of 3,000 words.

(S1) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Creative thinking

(S3) Improving own learning/performance - Reflective practice

(S4) Working in groups and teams - Listening skills

(S5) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S6) Personal attributes and qualities - Initiative

The exact syllabus varies from year to year and between seminar groups, reflecting the expertise and interests of the teaching team and the interests of the cohort taking the module. Topics typically covered include: definitions of 'woman'; women's space; forms of feminist fiction; 'the female sentence'; gender identity; feminisms, backlash and current thinking.  Types of texts include: biography/autobiography; poetry; fiction, often including genre fiction such as chick-lit or rewritings of myth or fairy tale.

Per week:

1 x synchronous, small-group session of 1 hour (synchronous)

2 x whole-cohort sessions of 1 hour (synchronous or asynchronous, as can be accommodated)