University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 15

ECTS credits : 7

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: To be arranged.

One of humanity's fundamental assumptions is that we self-determined humans are superior to inanimate objects. Medieval literature, however, is full of things that have powers over humans and act like them: they can speak, feel, move, have names and biographies: swords, relics, books, stones, coats and others. This module investigates the supernatural and natural powers of things in a range of texts, such as romances. We will also gain an overview of the recent 'thing theories' trying to understand the continued agency of objects from a variety of postmodern perspectives, and compare them to the medieval conceptions.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass GM2002 or pass GM2004 or pass GM2008 or pass GM2010

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1.5 hours and 1 surgery hour.

Scheduled learning hours: 28

Guided independent study hours: 122

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 2-hour Written Examination = 60%, Coursework = 40%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 60%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 40%

Re-assessment: 2-hour Written Examination = 60%, Coursework = 40%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor B M E Bildhauer
Module teaching staff: Prof B Bildhauer
Module coordinator email bmeb@st-andrews.ac.uk