2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL3406 Home Bodies: Companion Animals in Contemporary Literature

20 creditsClass Size: 28

School of English

Module manager: Prof Amelia DeFalco
Email: a.i.defalco@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module analyses representations of companion animals in contemporary literature within the larger context of animal studies. We will read a selection of contemporary literary and theoretical texts treating the experience and implications (personal, political, structural, ethical) of human/nonhuman cohabitation to better understand the relationship between the cultural construction of animals and animality and our everyday interpretations of humanity, gender, race, and ethics.

Objectives

To explore the meanings of the categories “animal” and “human,” as well as their broader ethical and political implications.

To explore the role of the animal (especially domestic companion animals), and animality in contemporary literary representation.

To consider the ways literary representations of domestic animals and animality are in dialogue with critical and cultural discourses around difference (especially gender and race).

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a general understanding of animal studies and its related disciplines, including vulnerability studies, animal ethics, and critical posthumanism.
2. Show awareness of the ethical and political issues pertinent to representations that speak for and about nonhuman animals.
3. Evaluate relevant criticism and apply critical reading skills to “everyday” texts encountered outside the classroom.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Conduct independent research, gathering information from a range of sources, and engaging in good academic practice in referencing their sources.
2. Produce independent arguments demonstrating advanced proficiency in critical thinking and writing skills.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	4	1.00	4.00
Practical	1	1.00	1.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			185.00
Total Contact hours			15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Weekly seminars are interactive with particular emphasis place on student contributions. These dialogues will form a key source of on-going formative feedback as students develop their project ideas. Students will also get formative feedback on their final assessment planning and development during the assessment practical workshop and in one-on-one meetings with instructor.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	.	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The final assignment is 4000 words. Students have the choice of completing a) a research essay b) relevant fieldwork with a critical, reflective account c) a creative writing piece with a critical, reflective account.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/01/2024

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