ADVANCED STUDIES IN MEDIEVAL WRITING - 2020/1

Module Overview

This optional module introduces students to the study of Medieval writing at postgraduate level. It is designed to broaden and deepen students’ knowledge of Medieval writing in English, to promote their understanding of the theories and modes of scholarship which underpin the study of this literature, and to strengthen their knowledge of the cultural and historical contexts of Medieval writing, including, among other things, religion, premodern identities, travel, gender and sexuality. Through studying the texts and themes of the module, and through assessment, students will develop skills in critical reading, researching, and writing.

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

JAGOT Shazia (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

The following areas are indicative of topics to be covered:

 

• The theories and practices of the Medieval ontologies

• The development of narrative poetry, and passion plays across the Medieval period


• The literature and culture of the European Medieval period


• Specific genres of Medieval writing: drama, poetry, travel writing, etc.


• Literature and philosophy of the Medieval period


• The construction and representation of gender and sexuality in Medieval Writing


• The relation of Medieval writing to other arts: painting, architecture, illuminated manuscripts, etc.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• the development in their critical writing skills in analyzing texts from a range of genres


• their understanding of the context of their work in historical and cultural terms, and to familiarize themselves with the history of literary production


• their development of research and writing skills


• productive and informed critical reflection on both critical and political agendas of literary studies and on their own place within theoretical positions

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

End of semester Essay (3000 words) (100%)

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative ‘feed forward’ is provided through seminar discussions, tutor feedback in seminars, and a
range of other feedback mechanisms agreed between tutor and students in week 1 of the module, such
as seminar contribution and writing exercises.' In addition, during Week 7 students will be expected to
submit for formative assessment:

• 1000-word essay plan and annotated bibliography

As such, writing, presentation and critical analysis skills will be developed and honed which will feed
forward to the summative assessment at the end of the module

Module aims

• Provide a detailed and thorough knowledge of Medieval writing in English
• Equip students with an understanding of the key theories, criticism, and scholarship which inform the study of Medieval writing
• Develop advanced skills in the close reading and analysis of literary texts
• Enable students to position Medieval writing within relevant historical and cultural contexts
• Train students to articulate and critique ideas and to construct complex arguments, both in class discussions and in written form

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Hone and develop students’ critical skills in analyzing texts from a range of genres: prose, fiction, poetry, drama, etc by developing advanced skills in the close reading and analysis of literary texts


• Assist students in locating literary texts in historical and cultural contexts, and to familiarize themselves with the history of literary production by developing their understanding of the key theories, criticism, and scholarship which inform the study of Medieval writing, and their knowledge of how to position Medieval writing within relevant historical and cultural contexts


• Equip students with the research and writing skills they will need to produce critically informed analyses of literary texts and engage with contemporary literary criticism by helping develop in them a detailed and thorough knowledge of Medieval writing in English


• Facilitate in students productive reflection on both the critical and political agendas of literary studies and on their own place within theoretical positions by to enabling them to undertake independent research into Medieval writing and to present their ideas in discussion and in written form.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 2 hour seminar x 11 weeks. Students are expected to read extensively outside classes in order to prepare for and participate in seminars.

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: ELIM019

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.