Unit name | Scottish Literature |
---|---|
Unit code | ENGL20039 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Kate McClune |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
NONE |
Co-requisites |
NONE |
School/department | Department of English |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
In this unit we will examine medieval, early modern and contemporary works of Scottish literature, considering the extent to which overarching themes can be identified through time. Recent scholarship focuses on the relationship in medieval texts between self-governance and hazardous emotional excess. We will examine whether such concerns remain predominant after the Union, interrogating the importance of contemporary political and historical contexts and their influences on literature. The shifting political climate in contemporary Scotland will provide us with an opportunity to examine the relationship between politics and literature.
On successful completion of this unit students will have (1) developed a detailed knowledge and critical understanding of Scots literature across a broad time period; (2) gained in-depth understanding of the theoretical and political contexts that inform literary production; (3) demonstrated the ability to analyse and evaluate differing critical accounts of the primary literature; (4) demonstrated the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent evidence in order to illustrate/demonstrate a cogent argument; (5) strengthened skills in argumentation and academic writing.
1 x 2-hour seminar per week.
Both summative elements will assess (1) knowledge and understanding of Scots literary texts; test (2) students’ understanding of the theoretical and political contexts informing literary production. In addition the essays will test (3, 4 and 5) students’ ability to analyse and assess competing accounts of the primary texts; their ability to adduce pertinent textual material in support of their argument and their ability to present that argument lucidly and in accordance with academic conventions.
Extracts from The Bruce/The Wallace (to be provided)
Poetry of King James VI and his contemporaries (to be provided)
James Hogg, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner (Oxford: 2010)
Ena Lamont Stewart, Men Should Weep in Scottish Peoples’ Theatre ASLS Annual Volume 37 (2007); order: http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/scotlit/asls/SPT.html
John Byrne, The Slab Boys Trilogy (Faber: 2003)
Liz Lochhead, Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off (Nick Hern Books: 2009)