EN3NIM: Novels of Immigration and Black British Fiction

Module Provider:

English

Number of credits:

20 [10 ECTS credits]

Level:

H (Honours)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn

Module Convenor:

Prof JP Parrinder

Pre-requisites:

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Module version for:

2006/7

Aims:
The module aims to promote knowledge and understanding of selected British 'novels of immigration' from the late nineteenth century to the present, including fiction by authors of European, Asian and Caribbean descent. It is designed to promote both close study and analytical appreciation of the chosen texts, and an understanding of the literary, social and political issues reflected in this area of fiction.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module students will be expected to:
• Show skills of close textual analysis
• Show an awareness of broader theoretical issues generated by the texts
• Engage critically with ideas discussed in seminars
• construct and express coherent arguments, both orally and in writing

Additional outcomes:
Transferable Skills
Each module is designed to encourage you to develop skills of oral communication and effective participation in group work. Additionally, you will be encouraged to enhance your IT competence through the use of relevant web resources and library databases, and through the word-processing of assessed coursework.

Outline content:
The module will be structured around a series of texts studied in chronological order from the late nineteenth century to the present. The actual selection of texts will depend on availability and may vary from year to year, but they will include some, at least, of the following list of authors: Israel Zangwill, Joseph Conrad, Jean Rhys, Samuel Selvon, V. S. Naipaul, Salman Rushdie, Hanif Kureishi, Meera Syal, Monica Ali. The texts will be studied in relation to a set of common themes reflecting the part played by immigration in modern British literary, social and political history.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
There will be 8 meetings of two hours per week. The exact method of teaching will vary from seminar to seminar, but most modules are taught largely through two hour seminars involving group discussion. Some modules may include occasional lectures. You may be asked to give brief seminar papers or oral reports. You are entitled to half an hour of tutorial feedback on your non assessed essay.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
Students will write one non-assessed essay of approx 1500 words. They will also submit a second essay of no more than 2500 words for formal assessment, carrying 50% of the total mark

Relative percentage of coursework: Assessed Essay 50%

Penalties for late submission
Ten marks (out of 100 on the normal University scale) will be deducted from a piece of work submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline or any formally agreed extension of that deadline. Once this period has elapsed, a mark of zero will be recorded.

Examinations
One two-hour examination paper accounting for 50% of the total mark of the module.

Requirements for a pass
An average mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in September. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be resubmitted by 1 September.