University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: Wednesday 11.00-13.00

The module aims to analyse social, cultural and literary formations through the medium of popular fiction. Offering a contrast to canonical readings of the twentieth century, the course will introduce students to the diversity and complexity of criminal fictions across the century, and will encourage an understanding of the importance of gender in contemporary literary studies. Students should emerge from this module proficient in the anaylsis of popular culture. They should acquire a knowledge of the history of twentieth-century crime fiction, and an understanding of genre form that can be confidently applied to formula fictions both on and beyond the module. They should also acquire a greater knowledge of feminist and gender theory and feel confident in its application in literary study. Students will also continue to develop skills in textual analysis, and will be encouraged to develop strategies for dealing with texts about which there is little available critical material. They will gain experience in communicating their ideas through oral presentations and group work.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass EN2003 and pass EN2004

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 lecture and 1 seminar/tutorial, and 2 optional consultative hours.

Scheduled learning hours: 20

Guided independent study hours: 280

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 50%, 2-hour Written Examination = 50%


Re-assessment: exam = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor G Plain
Module teaching staff: Professor G Plain
Module coordinator email gp3@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• analyse social, cultural and literary formations through the medium of popular fiction.
• understand the diversity and complexity of criminal fictions across the century, and the importance of gender in contemporary literary studies.
• Demonstrate a greater knowledge of feminist and gender theory and feel confident in its application in literary study
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the history of twentieth-century crime fiction
• Demonstrate skills in textual analysis
• Demonstrate skills in communicating their ideas through oral presentations and group work.