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2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
ENGL1090 Icelandic Language and Culture II
20 creditsClass Size: 24
School of English
Module manager: TBC
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2013/14
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
Iceland today is an amazing place. Icelanders just saw one of the world's biggest booms and biggest busts; they host some of Europe's best music festivals; they're remaking their democracy and taking a lead in promoting freedom of speech through movements like Wikileaks; and they write more books per capita than anyone else.Through some fantastic literature, music and film, you'll get to explore what it is that makes this volcanic rock with a population of just 280,000 people (and 500,000 sheep) tick. We'll read folktales about elves and Halldór Laxness's Nobel Prize-winning work; we'll examine the relationships between Icelandic national identity, the bloopy electronica of Björk, and the swirly post-rock of Sigur Rós; and analyse film from the relatively mainstream Baltasar Kormákur to movies about suicidal farmers and gay wrestlers.We'll also learn some modern Icelandic. You don't need any prior experience of (or success in) language learning: we start completely from scratch, and if Damon Albarn can do it, you certainly can. This free-standing module may be taken with Icelandic Language and Culture I (ENGL1080). For more information, see http://www.alarichall.org.uk/teaching/icelandic.php.Objectives
To provide an introduction to Modern Icelandic language and literary culture, with emphasis on the continuity of both from medieval to modern times.Learning outcomes
Students will have developed:
- the ability to use written and oral communication effectively;
- the capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse;
- the ability to manage quantities of complex information in a structured and systematic way;
- the capacity for independent thought and judgement;
- critical reasoning;
- research skills, including the retrieval of information, the organisation of material and the evaluation of its importance;
- IT skills;
- efficient time management and organisation skills;
- the ability to learn independently.
Skills outcomes
- Skills for effective communication, oral and written.
- Capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse.
- Ability to acquire quantities of complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way.
- Capacity for independent thought and judgement.
- Critical reasoning.
- Research skills, including information retrieval skills, the organisation of material, and the evaluation of its importance.
- IT skills.
- Time management and organisational skills.
- Independent learning.
Syllabus
An introduction to Modern Icelandic in the context of the cultural history of Iceland from the Reformation to the present day. Some texts will be read in the original; others in translation.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Workshop | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Private study hours | 180.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
Seminar preparation, reading, essay writing.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Contribution to seminars.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1,500 words | 25.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 25.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr | 25.00 |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 75.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 07/02/2014
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