2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL1065 Reading Between the Lines

20 creditsClass Size: 270

School of English

Module manager: Dr Emily Bell
Email: E.J.L.Bell@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Module replaces

ENGL1350 Foundations of English Studies

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

How do we read, and how might we read at university? This course equips you with the tools for sophisticated literary study, introducing the creative, exciting discipline of English Studies. Through close analysis of texts across a range of periods and forms, you will encounter some of the theories that have shaped and continue to underpin the discipline. You will discover how reading critically can change the way we see the world and engage with others.

Objectives

- To examine fundamental questions, concepts and practices that underpin the interpretation of texts within the discipline, across period and genre boundaries;
- To enable students to make a confident transition to university study of English, by equipping them with the intellectual resources for learning at degree level;
- To equip students with core academic skills they will use throughout their degree, including their understanding of forms of assessment, of participatory study and learning, and of independent research.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you should be able to:
1. Understand different strategies and vocabularies of critical reading, and analyse the qualities that enable nuanced, illuminating critical and theoretical debate;
2. Discriminate between and evaluate theories and methods of textual interpretation, engaging with scholarship;
3. Demonstrate the skills needed for active participation in the various forms of teaching and learning practised within the School, including close and critical reading;
4. Articulate complex ideas in different forms, demonstrating independent and imaginative thinking.

Skills outcomes
- Give and receive feedback
- Initiate work and take responsibility for it
- Be organised and work to deadlines
- Carry out independent research
- Analyse and evaluate information, and form arguments
- Be culturally sensitive
- Make decisions
- Work in a team
- Communicate well in writing and orally
- Understand social and commercial impact of their own work
- Analyse texts and discourses
- Articulate complex ideas
- Demonstrate independent and imaginative thinking
- Recognise and use the power of language
- Do close and critical reading
- Write clearly, accurately and effectively
- Exhibit bibliographic skills
- Be open to alternative views
- Engage with Scholarship
- Reflect on Practice and Assumptions

Syllabus

‘Reading Between The Lines’ invites students to explore fundamental questions about the nature of reading, and to investigate the relationships between language, meaning, and interpretation. Through a series of critical readings paired with an exciting selection of primary texts, the module will introduce students to different forms of writing from different historical periods and empower them to engage with English at university level. Students will encounter a range of assessment formats which will be used throughout their degree, and which will allow them to interrogate the conceptual issues that the module presents: how does writing, performing, presenting or recording in different forms shape content? While developing students’ critical and theoretical vocabulary, this module will enable students to conduct detailed, informed close reading, tackle questions of style, engage in analysis of form, and get to grips with theoretical concepts.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	15	1.00	15.00
Practical	5	1.00	5.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Independent online learning hours			3.00
Private study hours			167.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Opportunities for formative feedback will provided in seminars. Students will have the opportunity to give and receive peer feedback on group presentations, and in their own groups. Practicals will similarly allow students to get feedback as they are introduced to new digital tools.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	Short presentation with accompanying reflection (200-300 words).	30.00
Portfolio	Portfolio of digital tasks equivalent to 2000 words.	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resit task: submit an individual, shorter presentation (2 minutes) with a 200-300-word reflection.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/05/2024

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