University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

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: Tue 6.30 - 9.00 pm

For any student of the contemporary arts, it should be apparent that crime and passion go hand in hand, and few cultural works can be said to evade these categories entirely. Indeed, the terms themselves, 'crime' and 'passion', are more complex than they may initially appear to be, and their application in studying the arts is rich with potential. This module, along with its companion (which covers the period since 1900), will give students some insight into what these terms might mean, and how they have impacted on popular culture through the ages.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must take EN2901

Anti-requisite(s): Students may not take any full-time module in English

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 lecture and 1 x 1.5-hour seminar

Scheduled learning hours: 25

Guided independent study hours: 275

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%

Personnel

Module teaching staff: TBC

Intended learning outcomes

• demonstrate an advanced knowledge of trends in high-, popular-, and counter-culture prior to 1900 that have challenged the hegemonic centre through the arts
• Analyse critically the use of superficially narrow terms such as 'crime' and 'passion', and transfer this interrogative skill to other disciplines
• Appreciate the political nature of 'popular' and 'literary' texts, and discuss the implications of both mainstream and counter-cultural artistic output
• Understand better the historical precedents that have produced the current climate in popular and high culture
• Critically re-evaluate the changing understanding of the 'self' and the 'other' in western society prior to 1900.