EN3CE: Colonial Explorations

Module Provider:

English

Number of credits:

20 [10 ECTS credits]

Level:

H (Honours)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn

Module Convenor:

Dr S Thomson

Pre-requisites:

English Part 1

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Module version for:

2007/8

Aims:
This module is designed to introduce students to a range of nineteenth and twentieth century novels dealing with colonialist adventure or exploration in the non-Western world. It aims to promote knowledge and understanding of a range of texts in relation to ideas of Colonialism and Postcolonial Theory. It also aims to provide a focus for thinking through the problems of relating the methodology of close textual analysis of literary texts to moral and political questions.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module the students will be expected to:

• exercise skills of close textual analysis, and demonstrate an understanding of the texts selected for study
• demonstrate an awareness of broader theoretical and methodological issues
• reflect on their own use of critical languages and practices
• engage critically with ideas discussed in seminars
• formulate critical analyses of ideas and texts in writing.

Additional outcomes:
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 look at novels dealing with colonial exploration and adventure, ranging from mid-nineteenth-century 'Imperial Romance' through to some mid-twentieth-century versions, responses, and revisions. Texts may include Rider Haggard's She, John Buchan's Prester John, Evelyn Waugh's A Handful of Dust, and Grahame Greene's The Quiet American. Relevant secondary literature will also be examined in such a way as to raise critical problems that particularly affect this area of study.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Students will receive preliminary information about the modules they will be taking in the preceding term. There will be 9 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 1,500 words. They will also submit a second essay of no more than 2,500 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.