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EN2901   Comedy in English Literature

Academic year(s): 2025-2026

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 8

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Only available to those enrolling on the MA Combined Studies or already enrolled on the MA/BSc General degree taken in the evening.

Planned timetable: Thu 6.30 - 9.00 pm

This module builds on the work of EN1901 (Reading English) to give extended and deeper understanding of major literary texts, in drama, verse and prose, from the sixteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. The focus of the module is on comedy and comic forms of writing. This will include an introduction to theories of comedy and study of techniques of humorous writing. Since comedy is often used to comment on and criticise society, the relationship between writers and texts and the historical and social conditions of their times will also be a theme of the module, with particular reference to gender issues. The authors to be studied will include plays, poems and novels from Shakespeare to the present day.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass EN1901

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2.5-hour session: lecture and seminar, and 1 optional consultative hour.

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%


Re-assessment: 2-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module teaching staff: Team taught

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of the module you will have studied a range of major texts in verse and prose, and will have learned about their context in English literary history.
  • You will study one specific type of writing, ‘comedy’, and will be introduced to relevant ideas, for example genre, formal conventions, and aspects of literary tradition.
  • You will build on skills introduced in EN1901 in relating primary texts to secondary material, both critical and historical, and, through discussion group work and written essays, will develop your ability to talk and write about literary texts with fluency and technical understanding.