EN3M9-15 Single-Author Study: The Deep Dive
Introductory description
This module will take students through some of the canonical and less familiar works of a single author. The module will consider in detail aspects such as important thematic and stylistic aspects of the chosen author’s work, the chronological development of their writing practice, and their relationship to key historical and literary contexts, as well as assessing trends in the critical and cultural reception of the author’s work. The author studied will change each year, dependent on the research specialisms of the convenor, as will the mode in which you engage with that author’s works across the term. The module would be particularly useful to students doing or considering a dissertation or further study, but will also be of interest generally for its focused exploration.
Module aims
To facilitate research into the literary work of a specific author within the field of English studies (though the works may be in translation). By using a research seminar format, the module offers an experience of collaborative research in which students will work closely with an academic specialist and with other members of the seminar group.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
The author to be studied will be determined by the convenor for the academic year which will change frequently and be advertised at the module fair. The module will have weekly deep-dives into various aspect of the topic.
Sample - over the course of the module we will examine a range of work by this author, such as fictional work, screenplays, their non-fiction essays, as well as the biographical and cultural formation of the author.
Week 1: Introduction
Week 2: early experiments
Week 3: early novel
Week 4: novella and film adaptation
Week 5: Non-fiction Essays
READING WEEK
Week 7: short stories
Week 8: later novels
Week 9: posthumous texts
Week 10: Biographical account of author
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Develop a strong understanding of how a single author shapes and reshapes their work over time
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of theoretical debates about authorship and their cultural impact
- Demonstrate strong proficiencies in textual interpretation and analysis
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of the intersections between literature, writing and culture through sustained and close attention to particular texts, topics and critical and theoretical issues
- Demonstrate and apply advanced independent research skills.
Indicative reading list
Sample:
Barthes, Roland. "The death of the author." Readings in the Theory of Religion. Routledge, 2016. 141-145.
Brewer, John. "Authors, publishers and the making of literary culture." The book history reader (2002): 241-249.
Davies, Stephen. "Authors' intentions, literary interpretation, and literary value." The British Journal of Aesthetics 46.3 (2006): 223-247.
Foucault, Michel. "What is an Author?." Reading architectural history. Routledge, 2003. 71-81.
Sandvoss, Cornel. "The death of the reader." Fandom: Identities and communities in a mediated world (2007): 19-33.
Walker, Cheryl. "Feminist literary criticism and the author." Critical Inquiry 16.3 (1990): 551-571.
Research element
This will be dependent on the convenor and the assessment, but the students will need to look beyond the reading list into the history and publication of the text.
Subject specific skills
linguistic analysis; narratology; contextualisation; theoretical application to understanding of content and product; analysis of authorial personas.
Transferable skills
Close-reading and interpretation; attention to detail; knowledge of print and publication cultures that drive the production and success of an author and their cultural reputation.
Study time
Type | Required |
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Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (9%) |
Private study | 90 hours (60%) |
Assessment | 46 hours 30 minutes (31%) |
Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
reading preparation for class; research for class discussions; assessment preparation
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
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Assessment component |
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Short Piece | 30% | 10 hours | Yes (extension) |
May take the form of a shorter essay, reflective piece, a commonplace book, reading log or a portfolio short weekly responses to a set theme, public engagement piece etc. Convenor to clarify. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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Essay | 70% | 36 hours 30 minutes | Yes (extension) |
A written piece reflective of your learning from the course. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
Feedback on assessment
via tabula (feedback form and comments) and office hours.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 3 of UENA-Q300 Undergraduate English Literature
- Year 3 of UENA-QP36 Undergraduate English Literature and Creative Writing
- Year 4 of UENA-QP37 Undergraduate English Literature and Creative Writing with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of UENA-Q301 Undergraduate English Literature with Intercalated Year
- Year 3 of UENA-VQ32 Undergraduate English and History
- Year 4 of UENA-VQ33 Undergraduate English and History (with Intercalated year)
- Year 3 of UENA-VQ34 Undergraduate English and History (with a term in Venice)
- Year 4 of UENA-QW35 Undergraduate English and Theatre Studies with Intercalated Year
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 3 of UCXA-QQ37 Undergraduate Classics and English
This module is Option list B for:
- Year 3 of UTHA-QW34 Undergraduate English and Theatre Studies
This module is Option list C for:
- Year 3 of UPHA-VQ72 Undergraduate Philosophy and Literature