University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 2

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

Though it may seem like a rather narrow view, crime and passion are, arguably, the driving forces behind every branch of the arts. During this course, we'll be unpacking these deceptively simple terms, 'crime' and 'passion', with the intention of determining the motivating factors behind, persistent themes in, and popular responses to, a number of major works that have appeared since 1900. Many questions will be raised and addressed along the way. What, for example, constitutes a 'crime'? Is it a simple problem of legislature, or is there an ongoing tension between legislation and ethical common sense? What is 'passion', and in what forms can it become manifest? Looking back over the long twentieth century, we will be thinking about these terms, how the arts have addressed them, and how, both individually and collectively, we can be inspired, influenced, enlightened and (potentially) corrupted by artistic output.

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

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%


Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%

Personnel

Module teaching staff: To be confirmed

Intended learning outcomes

• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of trends in high-, popular-, and counter-culture since 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 role of the self in contemporary society.
• Construct arguments, and articulate these in written essays and group discussion.