University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students.

Planned timetable: Thursday 2-4pm

This module considers early modern literature in the context of changing conceptions of the natural world and the emergence of the modern scientific method. The module may take up such issues as: the development of Copernicanism and materialism and their representation in literary texts; differences between imaginative, rhetorical, and scientific ways of knowing and representing nature; literary writing in relation to the rise of technology and the exploitation of the natural world; questions of gender and race in relation to the scientific world-view.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): null

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 Two-hour seminar (x 11 weeks)

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%


Re-assessment: Written Exam = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr G J Pertile
Module teaching staff: Dr Giulio Pertile
Module coordinator email gjp4@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Students will be able to analyse a range of works of early modern literature in their historical context as well as in relation to contemporary issues
• Students will be able to draw connections between different disciplines and different modes of thinking
• Students will be better able to develop and articulate a complex argument about a literary text in written form
• Students will be better able to articulate their insights orally and in a group setting