Assessments to be handed in at the end of the module:
A Learning Diary which comments upon 6 posts from the student’s contributions to the discussion forum, 1500 words (post word count not included). [Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3 ] (20%)
Annotated Bibliography – 30%, 1,000 words. [Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3]
Critical essay – 40% 4,000 words [Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3]. (This will be the final piece)

Students will be introduced to advanced theoretical and critical approaches to literature (which forms the methodology of the discipline). Students will be exposed to the major theoretical and critical debates via seminal texts in fields such as Marxist theory, gender studies, ecocriticism and postmodern theory. Students will reflect upon and engage with these through online discussion forum posts and via their final critical essay. Students will be inducted into the process of high-level research, including the evaluation of sources and the cultivation of a critical objectivity, as is required for postgraduate study. Teaching on this module will also cover practical elements such as formatting conventions (bibliography, referencing, footnoting etc.). The module will be aimed at helping the students to locate their project in the context of their discipline: to this end, a variety different approaches to research will be explored.

1.Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key theoretical debates and apply them to your own methods of research
Knowledge and understanding
Application
Problem solving

2. Reflect critically upon key texts and arguments studied on the module and demonstrate learning and enquiry in relation to your project
Enquiry
Learning
Reflection
Communication

3. Critically evaluate research material and assess its relevance to your project
Problem solving
Critical Evaluation
Analysis
Application

This module will use a discussion forum on Blackboard, lecture slides with voiceover and/or podcasts, written lecture material.

Library and IT facilities, especially the printed journals collection and JSTOR archive, the MLA database, the Oxford Online Reference Collection, Blackboard.

Recommended and Background

Newberry, D. (1996) Designing and managing a research project: a research guide. BIAD Birmingham: UCE

Biggam, John. (2011) Succeeding with your Master's Dissertation. Open University.

Bui, Yvonne (2009) How to Write a Master's Thesis. London: Sage

Casey, Debbie (2011) Study Skills for Masters Level Students. Reflect

Fry, Paul H. (2012) Theory of Literature. Yale U.P.

Hejinian, Lyn (2001) Language of Inquiry. California U.P.

Jameson, Frederic (1995) The Condition of Postmodernity

Lane, R. J. ed. (2013) Global Literary Theory: An Anthology. London: Routledge.

Leitch, V. et al eds. (2001) The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. New York: W.W.Norton and Co.

Lodge, David (1988) Modern Criticism and Theory: A Reader

Middleton, Peter (2015) Physics Envy. University of Chicago Press.

Race, Phil (1998) 500 Tips for Open and Flexible Learning. London: Kogan Page

Richardson, Laurel (2000) ‘Writing: a Method of Inquiry’

Rudrum, D. and N. Stavris eds. (2015) Supplanting the Postmodern: An Anthology of Writings on the Arts and Culture of the Early 21st Century. London: Bloomsbury.

Torgovnik, Mariana (1990) ‘Experimental Critical Writing’ PMLA

Useful websites:
www.postgraduatetoolbox.com
www.vitae.ac.uk