MONSTERS, MYSTICS AND DEMONS - 2020/1
Module code: ELI2037
Module Overview
This module explores a range of literary texts produced in England at the end of the Middle Ages, paying particular attention to issues of language, gender, social status, travel, and religion. It explores the relationship between the self and the other, focusing on ideas of perfection and monstrosity, and the divine and the demonic. The module explores three interrelated themes that speak to the historical, social, and religious contexts of late Medieval English literature: 1) Monstrous Masculinities and Femininities 2) Travellers’ Tales: Encountering the Other and 3) Visions of Another Order. Alongside analysing examples the literature of the period, students will practice translating passages from late medieval literary texts in the workshops. In addition to the set primary texts, students will examine relevant examples from historical texts and visual that help to further illuminate these three thematic strands.
Module provider
School of Literature and Languages
Module Leader
WATT Diane (Lit & Langs)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 5
Module cap (Maximum number of students): 60
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 128
Lecture Hours: 11
Seminar Hours: 11
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None.
Module content
Weeks 1: Introduction
Weeks 2-4: Monstrous Masculinities and Femininities
Chaucer’s Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Weeks 5-10: Travellers’ Tales and Visions of Another Order
The Travels of Sir John Mandeville
The Revelations of Julian of Norwich
Pearl
Week 11: Revision and Conclusion
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Coursework | Critical Commentary and Translation Exercise (45 lines of translated poetry/prose plus 1000 words) | 100 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the module learning outcomes.
Workshop discussion with ongoing tutor feedback is designed mainly to assess transferable skills in working as part of a group and practical/professional skills in expressing ideas and critical analysis in oral communication. It also assesses subject knowledge in the focus on translation and the history of the language and in the different forms of critical theory used in English literature and cognitive/analytical skills in critical thinking and in using theory in the close reading of literary texts.
The Critical Commentary and Translation Exercise assesses subject knowledge in the focus on translation and the history of the language and in the different forms of critical theory used in English literature and cognitive/analytical skills in critical thinking and in using theory in the close reading of literary texts. They also assess practical/professional skills in expressing ideas and critical analysis in written communication and transferable skills in working independently.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
Critical Commentary and Translation Exercise (45 lines of poetry/prose plus 1000 words)
Formative assessment and feedback
Workshop discussion with ongoing tutor feedback in workshop
Students receive both written feedback and verbal feedback in tutorials that informs the final summative assessment, i.e. the Critical Commentary Exercise.
Module aims
- This module aims to deepen and expand students' understanding of:
- A range of late medieval English poetry and prose;
- Key historical, social and religious contexts for understanding late medieval literature;
- Middle English and the history of the English Languages;
- A range of genres in late medieval literature, including romance, devotional literature and visionary writing.
- This module aims to develop and strengthen students' skills in:
- Reading and translating Middle English;
- Close reading, analysis, and critical thinking;
- Oral and written communication;
- Independent work and group work in seminars;
- Time management through assignment submission and revision planning.
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | ||
001 | Describe and analyse significant historical, social and religious contexts of late medieval English literature, and connect these changes to relevant textual features | KC |
002 | Critically compare and analyse translations of Middle English texts, and connect these to developments in the history of the English Language | KC |
003 | Understand and analyse an array of literary texts with an awareness of and engagement with critical materials and cultural artefacts | KC |
004 | Describe and analyse a range of different genres of late medieval literature | KC |
005 | Use critical and contextual material in relation to close textual analysis and critical thinking | KC |
006 | Communicate orally in class discussions and in written form in the Critical Commentary Exercise | CT |
007 | Work both individually and as part of a group | PT |
008 | Plan and implement timetables for assignment deadlines | PT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to deliver subject knowledge, to develop cognitive/ analytical skills, and to develop in-depth transferable, practical, and professional skills. The weekly workshops involve group and individual translation and commentary work that deliver subject knowledge through close reading and linguistic analysis and student-led discussions that and develop cognitive/analytical skills in analysing literature and its historical, social and religious contexts and develop skills in communication and in working individually and as part of a group. The workshops also provide students with instruction on planning and implementing timetables for work and on presenting ideas coherently under time constraints.
This relates to the programme learning and teaching strategy, which, at Level 5, is designed to continue the delivery of subject knowledge through lectures and SurreyLearn and to develop in-depth transferable, practical and professional skills, with a greater emphasis on student-led involvement, critical analysis, discussion and rhetorical ability.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- 2-hour workshop per week x 11 weeks
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ELI2037
Other information
This module has a capped number and may not be available to ERASMUS and other international exchange students. Please check with the International Engagement Office email: ieo.incoming@surrey.ac.uk
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
English Literature with Creative Writing BA (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
English Literature BA (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
English Literature with Politics BA (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
English Literature with Sociology BA (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
English Literature and French BA (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
English Literature and Spanish BA (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
English Literature with German BA (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
English Literature with Film Studies BA (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.