MONSTERS, MYSTICS AND DEMONS - 2021/2

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

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

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

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 learning and teaching methods include a combination of workshops, lecture materials and captured content, guided learning and independent learning.

 

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.

 

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

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 2021/2 academic year.