To foster and enhance the skills of close reading by drawing attention to what is needed to read texts attentively;

To consider in detail a range of poetry, prose and drama from a range of critical and historical perspectives;

To enable students to research and write focussed critical essays;

To develop confidence in constructing an argument and presenting it clearly in debates and academic discussion;

To discuss form, structure, voice and genre and thier implications for both writing and reading literary texts;

To develop research, IT and library skills.

(LO1) Students will demonstrate informed responsiveness to a range of literary texts from a variety of periods by employing skills of close reading.

(LO2) Students will deploy an initial analytical and critical vocabulary for the discussion of English literature.

(LO3) Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and aims of literary criticism.

(LO4) Student will consider literary texts within the contexts of other disciplines.

(LO5) Students will be confident participating in group discussion of texts.

(LO6) Students will be able to write coherent and critical essays on the module texts and themes.

(S1) Students will demonstrate the IT skills necessary for undergraduate study in the humanities.

(S2) Students will demonstrate confident communication skills, both verbal and written

(S3) Students will demonstrate the habits of an independant learner.

(S4) Student will demonstrate the ability to reason logically and think critically.

An example syllabus is as follows:

Introduction: The processes of reading.
Seamus Heaney, Beowulf.
The Sonnet.
Shakespeare play.
Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Gaskell, Cousin Phillis.
Tessimond, selected poems.
Spark, The Driver’s Seat.
Bernardino, Girl, Woman, Other.
Assessment Workshop.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Interactive lectures cover key texts.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: Students to prepare by reading texts in advance of classroom discussions.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 3 - Online Discussions
Description: Online resources and virtual forums will be established to facilitate debate.
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided

Teaching Method 4 - Workshop
Description: Problem-based learning
Attendance Recorded: Yes