91ÖÆƬ³§

English literature pathway core modules:

Renaissance to Revolution: Early Modern Literature

This module will introduce you to literary study at degree level by focusing on the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, a period of enormous innovation in English literature. You will study writers such as Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, Philip Sidney, Mary Wroth, John Donne, and Aemelia Lanyer, and you will develop close reading skills by analysing the ways in which these writers used formal and stylistic techniques. You will examine how the literature of the period related to the surrounding culture, society, and politics, and consider the different ways in which texts could be produced, read, and performed.

20 credits

Writing Revolutions: Restoration to Romanticism

'Writing Revolutions: Restoration to Romanticism' starts with the literature of the second half of the seventeenth century (including Marvell and Milton) and moves through to the late eighteenth century (including writers such as Behn, Pope, Heywood, Gray, Equiano, and Burney). Building on the work you completed on 'Renaissance to Revolution: Early Modern Literature', you will continue to think about the relationships between literary texts and the social, cultural and political contexts in which they were produced. You will also explore the evolution of forms and genres through the period.

20 credits

English literature pathway optional modules:

Contemporary Literature

This module introduces you to a diverse range of texts in English (prose, poetry, and film) with a focus on texts published since 2000. Texts will be chosen to provoke thinking and debate on urgent and controversial topics that might include: globalisation and neoliberalism; ecology and animal lives; artificial intelligence and the posthuman; political activism and social justice; migration and displacement; state violence and armed conflict. We will discuss formally and conceptually challenging works, raise ethical and philosophical questions and begin to discover how current critical and theoretical approaches can help us to engage with contemporary texts.

20 credits

Hybrid Forms? Comedy and Tragedy

This module gives you the opportunity to study developments in comedy and tragedy from classical antiquity to the present day. This focus on genre enables you to take a broadly comparative approach, setting, for instance, works of classical antiquity alongside those of the early modern, modern, and contemporary worlds. As such, the module equips you to draw connections between periods studied separately at different points of your degree and between disparate forms, e.g. drama and the novel. Over the course of this module we will consider questions such as: what is genre, and why is it important? How does genre reflect or respond to historical change? Is there any such thing as a 'pure' genre or is hybridization a defining feature of genre itself? We will answer these questions by reading texts by authors such as Angela Carter, Noel Coward, Plautus, Shakespeare, Sophocles, and Michaela Coel.

20 credits

Wonders, Warriors, and Werewolves: Intro to Medieval Literature and Language

This module is of particular interest to anyone who wants to know more about the first c.900 years of English literature and language. We will analyse a wide range of the earliest English literary texts (c. 600-1500), including the oldest known English poem and the first autobiographical work by a woman, covering texts that are well known (e.g. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales) and texts that you will probably never encounter elsewhere. You will look at Old English texts (in translation) and Middle English texts (in translation or in the original with notes and glosses as appropriate).

We will open up discussions around issues that preoccupied the English of the time, from glorious monster-slaying to the first expressions of love and desire, from religious devotion to comedy, from the power of insults to the status of English in a multilingual society. You will investigate medieval English literature in an international context, explore medieval worldviews and how they might differ from modern ones, query what it means when we say something is medieval, and explore some medieval afterlives.

You will be introduced to a variety of techniques and methodologies - literary, linguistic, cultural-historical - to analyse medieval texts and topics in the lectures and seminars; you can engage with these different scholarly approaches in assessments as you prefer. No prior knowledge of Old or Middle English is required; students will be given the opportunity to examine texts in the original language but where necessary translations will be provided. Two additional sessions will be held to help you develop your skills and confidence to read Middle English.

In short, this module aims to give you an overview of early English literature, language, and cultural history (c. 600-1500); to develop your skills and confidence in reading and analysing medieval English texts; to give you the opportunity to engage critically and creatively with both primary and secondary works from perspectives of your choice; and to encourage you to reflect on why and how the medieval is used in modern culture.

20 credits

Reading Theatre and Film

This core module explores the development of theatre and film from 1900 to the present, tracking that journey through a series of canonical and counter-canonical examples from each medium. These two art forms have much that connects them as representational, performance-based and commercial cultural practices, but also much that separates them as human, technical and technological spectacles. The module offers a practical introduction to theatre and film criticism, theory and interpretation that will help to interrogate such medial distinctions as well as their common ground. By means of weekly lectures and seminar-workshops, you will encounter a wide range of plays and films, located in their original historical, ideological and aesthetic contexts but equally considered for their afterlife, relevance and currency today.

20 credits

Foundations in Literary Study: Biblical and Classical Sources in English Literature

The Bible, Greek and Roman mythology, represent some of the central sources for European literary imaginations. In this module you will explore the range of literature indebted to biblical and classical literature, themes, and characters. Featuring a range of lecturers from across the School of English, the module will help you learn to think critically about biblical and classical themes such as divine destruction, love, gender, homecoming, colonialism, nostalgia, and empire, and read a variety of authors, from Amelia Lanyer and Shakespeare to Derek Walcott and Margaret Atwood. When we understand the ways in which biblical and classical writers shaped their narratives, and how creative authors revised, resisted or radicalised their themes, we have several important keys to unlock crucial facets of English literary tradition.

20 credits

Introduction to Creative Writing

The aim of this unit is to help you to develop your expressive and technical skills in writing poetry and prose and to improve your abilities as an editor and critic of your own and other people's writing. You will be guided in the production of new work and encouraged to develop an analytical awareness of both the craft elements and the wider cultural and theoretical contexts of writing. This module explores poetic and prose techniques for creating new poems and narrative techniques for generating some prose work through the critical study of published examples, imaginative exercises, discussion and feedback on your own writing. This exploration will help you develop your own creative work while sharpening critical appreciation of published poetry and modern and contemporary fiction. The course is designed to give you the experience of being workshopped as well as to establish basic creative writing techniques at Level 1 in preparation for the challenges of Creative Writing Level 2 and/or 3.

20 credits

Darwin, Marx, Freud

This course is structured around the writings of Darwin, Marx, Freud. We will consider selections from all three philosophers' writings, such as, for example, Darwin's The Origin of Species; cover key concepts from Marx's work—commodity fetishism; alienation—and investigate Freud's philosophy of the subject through selected readings from his writings. We will dismantle cultural prejudice and engage with, and in, revolutionary thinking. This course will prepare you for modules like Critical and Literary Thought but, most importantly, it will help you become critical, potentially revolutionary, thinkers.

20 credits

English language pathway core modules:

Sounds and Structures of English

This module is an introduction to the subdisciplines of linguistics known as phonetics and phonology (sounds), and morphology, syntax, and semantics (structures). The module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the key concepts and terminology necessary to describe and explain sounds and structures of English, and of other languages. Lectures will cover major topics in the formal descriptions of speech sounds and morpho-syntax. Seminar activities will help equip you with the practical skills necessary to accurately describe and transcribe speech sounds, and to analyse word and sentence structure and meaning. The module serves as an essential basis for more advanced study across linguistic subdisciplines.

20 credits

Linguistic Theory

This module explores how language is structured by examining central issues in linguistic theory, building upon the concepts introduced in EGH105 Sounds of English and EGH106 Structures of English. Students will be instructed in (1) foundational theories and concepts in areas such as phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, (2) the linguistic evidence that informs these approaches, (3) the analytical techniques required to apply these theories to language data, and (4) the relevance of such theoretical models for the wider study of language. This inclusive module will develop analytical tools and problem-solving skills in using linguistic theory, training students to think critically to interpret data from any language within theoretical frameworks.

20 credits

English language pathway optional modules:

History of English

What is English? Taking this question as a point of departure, this module introduces students to the exceptionally dynamic linguistic history of English(es). Changing linguistic forms and functions are contextualized within their historical moment, and language external factors such as language contact, imperialism and racism are also discussed as they pertain to periods of English. To be clear: this is not just a module about old forms of language (although there is plenty of that!) - it's about gaining historical linguistic perspective on current Englishes (including related Creoles) and their place within a much bigger story.

20 credits

Early Englishes

This module is of particular interest to anyone who wants to know more about the first 1000 years of English language and literature. Early Englishes works backward over a whole millennium of English, 1600 to 600. Each week's lectures and seminar focus on one century and one text representative of that century (for example, Margery Kempe's Book, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and Beowulf). We will use a variety of techniques - literary, linguistic, anthropological, cultural-historical - to analyse each text, thereby opening up discussion of issues that preoccupied the English of the time, from glorious monster-slaying to the first expressions of love and desire, from religious devotion to comedy, from the power of insults to the status of English. We will investigate international influences on English language and literature, explore medieval worldviews and how they might differ from modern ones, and query what it means when we say something is medieval. No prior knowledge of Old or Middle English is necessary; students will be given the opportunity to examine texts in the original language but where necessary translations will be provided.

20 credits

Language and Creativity

Creativity is a core property of human language use. Speakers of English and all other languages can use their knowledge of the language to produce endless utterances that have never been heard before. What's more, listeners can understand these utterances, despite the fact that they are completely new. In this module you will learn about the creative dimensions of human language through a series of practical experiments, writing and rewriting texts and reflecting on what that process teaches us. You don't have to be 'good at creative writing' to do this. The focus isn't on producing wonderful poems and stories but rather on learning about language through creative experimentation - through a process of doing and then thinking about what you've done. We'll look at creative language use in a range of everyday contexts and we'll think about popular forms of writing like comics, journalism, interactive digital narratives, and spoken-word forms like podcasts.

Learning by doing is an important aspect of many jobs, especially the ones that English graduates often go into, and so the experience this module offers will stand you in good stead for later life. The creative properties of language use are also important for the communication of identity and there will be plenty of opportunity to think about this in relation to aspects of identity that are important to you.

By taking this module you will learn more about language by actually using it, a process that is both rewarding and fun.

20 credits

Varieties of English

This module looks at accent and dialect variation in the English language, in the UK and beyond. It will provide you with the tools to analyse and discuss variation in English words, sounds, and grammar. During the module you will collect your own data and learn how to analyse and visualise it. The module will develop your awareness of sociolinguistic aspects of the English language, and the relationship between language variation and change. You will be encouraged to consider your own experiences of language attitudes, language change, and language variation in order to reflect on the extraordinary diversity of the English language today.

20 credits

Style in Language

This module introduces students to stylistic variation in language, exploring the varied ways in which linguistic choices contribute to meaning and effect. We will examine a wide range of different text types, including literary narratives, journalism, advertising, political speeches, poetry and song lyrics, drama and screenplays. We will move beyond basic grammatical analysis to consider the functional, contextual, and generic dimensions of language use. We will apply relevant linguistic concepts and theories to the study of stylistic phenomena including register, sentence structure, deixis, lexical choice, parallelism, narrative structure, transitivity, and metaphor. Students will be equipped with the practical tools necessary to investigate the relationships between style and effect in a rigorous, retrievable, and replicable way, and gain hands-on experience using their analytical, critical, and interpretative skills.

20 credits

Core music modules

Digital Skills for Music

The module aims to develop your confidence and technical expertise with a range of technologies of value to academic and professional practice. Lectures will introduce fundamental principles and specific technologies for use in researching, creating and producing music. These technologies will then be applied in the production of a collaborative project, helping students to develop team work and interpersonal skills that will serve them in subsequent levels of study and professional practice.

Indicative areas of study include audio recording and production, sound design, computational literacy, data analysis, the ethics of artificial intelligence, effective group work, research management and productivity.

20 credits

History of Western Music

This module considers key moments in the history of Western music from the 1500s to the present day. Taking individual composers and works, it aims to introduce students to different approaches to the study of music history, the development of particular musical genres, and the impact of cultural, historical and geographical context on composers. In addition, the module will consider ways of writing about music, and the use of primary and secondary sources for informing critical discussions of the subject.

20 credits

Optional music modules:

Composition

In this module you will develop your composition skills, practice writing music in staff notation, and learn to write effectively for different instrumental and vocal forces. Drawing on the models of a diverse range of classical composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, we will focus on techniques for writing inventive melodies and rhythms, and employing wide-ranging approaches to harmony. The module aims to give you a foundation in composition and increase your confidence in preparation for further study.

20 credits

Popular Music Studies

This module provides an introduction to the academic study of popular music. You will explore key approaches to studying popular music in its socio-cultural contexts, investigating major issues and debates. Lecture materials and in-class tasks will engage with approaches to the analysis of popular music and media, issues of representation, authenticity, identity, technology and industry. The module is delivered via lectures and group tasks to encourage interaction and collaboration between students. Assessments are designed to allow you to apply key analytical and theoretical frameworks to music of your own choosing, testing both your individual skills and knowledge alongside group work and collaboration.

20 credits

Music in a Global Context

Whatever kind of music study you decide to specialise in, you'll do it better if you see it in the context of music as a phenomenon common to all humanity. You'll understand what's different about your own chosen field but also how the music you love derives from diverse cultural sources.In this module we examine how any music uses specific ways of organising sound to serve particular cultural purposes. You'll learn to recognise and describe diverse musical styles, research them through scholarly sources, present an analysis using appropriate audio-visual technology, and take control of the transferable skills you're developing.

20 credits

Performance

In this module you will develop the musical and intellectual abilities appropriate to solo performance. The theoretical background is considered, focusing on the aural and analytical skills essential to performance at an advanced level. An awareness of style and interpretation, as well as effective preparation and communication are built into teaching. You will receive one to one tuition in addition to attending whole class performance lectures.

20 credits

Music Analysis

This module aims to introduce, develop and refine ways of thinking, listening and writing about western music.  You will learn to listen to and analyze harmonic, tonal, motivic, thematic, melodic, rhythmic, textural and formal features of a range of western music genres, such as Common Practice harmonic principles, Medieval counterpoint, jazz standards and rock'n'roll.  By using analytical techniques to reveal distinctive structural characteristics across multiple styles of music, this module not only prepares you for western-music-based modules at FHEQ levels 5 and 6  but also provides new models of approaching music that can be applied in wider creative and empirical contexts.

20 credits

Psychological Foundations of Music

Music Psychology offers insights, ways of thinking, reflective tools and methods to understand the foundations of musical behaviour, learning and thought. This module offers the foundation to students to be able to engage with the literature, knowledge and underpinning techniques in this area. Learning about psychology of music will help you engage with some of the most provocative questions about musicality, such as what enables our capacity for music, why we respond emotionally to music, whether music makes us smarter, and what underlies therapeutic applications of music for health and wellbeing?

20 credits

Try a new subject:

The flexible structure of your first year at 91ÖÆƬ³§ means that you also have the chance to experience modules from outside of English and Music - you can choose up to 40 credits of modules from a list approved by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. A final guided module list is made available to new students when you select your modules as part of registration.