Undergraduate Course: Contemporary Scottish Fiction (ENLI10280)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course will look at the relationship between Scottish fiction, politics and culture in the context of devolution. We will examine a range of novels published over the last thirty years which showcase the strength and diversity of contemporary Scottish fiction, and consider the ways in which Scottish writing might be seen to reflect larger debates about political and cultural autonomy in the period, issues around cultural identity, and anxieties amongst Scottish intellectuals about the possibilities and dangers of nationalism. However we will also need to consider the ways in which those issues are mediated through the form of the contemporary novel, in particular the nature, variety and extent of contemporary departures from the conventions of realism; even the constitution of the literary field itself. The most striking feature of much of the writing of the period may be its apparent distance from overt political commitment, its distrust of the public realm, suspicion of historical narrative, and its focus on interiority and subjectivity. What does this mean for our understanding of the relationship between literature and society in contemporary Scotland? |
| Course description |
This course will look at the relationship between Scottish fiction, politics and culture in the context of devolution. We will examine a range of novels published over the last thirty years which showcase the strength and diversity of contemporary Scottish fiction, and consider the ways in which Scottish writing might be seen to reflect larger debates about political and cultural autonomy in the period, issues around cultural identity, and anxieties amongst Scottish intellectuals about the possibilities and dangers of nationalism. However we will also need to consider the ways in which those issues are mediated through the form of the contemporary novel, in particular the nature, variety and extent of contemporary departures from the conventions of realism; even the constitution of the literary field itself. The most striking feature of much of the writing of the period may be its apparent distance from overt political commitment, its distrust of the public realm, suspicion of historical narrative, and its focus on interiority and subjectivity. What does this mean for our understanding of the relationship between literature and society in contemporary Scotland?
Students should expect to devote considerable individual preparation time to close reading of the novels on the course, as the complex techniques of contemporary fiction demand careful attention and if possible re-reading. Students will also be expected to consult a range of secondary material covering critical debates in the field. Working together in Autonomous Learning Groups, students will consider specific points of interpretation relating to the primary texts, as well as discussing the critical debates. Individually, and in their Autonomous Learning Groups, students will be encouraged to develop their own responses to the primary materials, and on that basis to formulate critical assessments of previous critical interpretations. Seminar discussion will be grounded in individual and Group responses to the primary texts, supplemented by consideration of the wider critical debates. Knowledge of primary and secondary material, as well as critical analytical skills, and skills in developing an argument in relation to close analysis of the text, will be assessed through coursework.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | A MINIMUM of three college/university level literature courses at grade B or above (should include no more than one introductory level literature course). Related courses such as civilisation or creative writing are not considered for admissions to this course.
Applicants should also note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission. In making admissions decisions preference will be given to students who achieve above the minimum requirement with the typical visiting student admitted to this course having three to four literature classes at grade A.
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| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 15 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
30 %,
Practical Exam
10 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
One coursework essay of 2,500 words (30%)
One practical assessment (10%)
One sit down exam essay of c. 3,000 words (60%) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- By the end of the course students should be able to demonstrate their familiarity with a range of contemporary Scottish writers and texts.
- They should also be able to demonstrate familiarity with critical approaches to contemporary Scottish writers and texts.
- They should be able to demonstrate understanding of key critical debates concerning the relation of contemporary Scottish fiction to its cultural, political and social contexts.
- They should themselves be able to undertake critical textual analysis of contemporary Scottish fiction, in the light of these debates.
- On that basis they should be able to comment more broadly on the relationship between the formal techniques of contemporary prose fiction and contemporary cultural, political and social debate.
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Reading List
Janice Galloway, The Trick Is To Keep Breathing
Candia McWilliam, Debatable Land
Allan Massie, A Question of Loyalties
Andrew O'Hagan, Our Fathers
Alasdair Gray, 1982 Janine
James Kelman, How Late It Was, How Late
Ali Smith, Like
A.L. Kennedy, So I Am Glad
Alan Warner, Morvern Callar
James Robertson, The Testament of Gideon Mack |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Alex Thomson
Tel: (0131 6)50 3058
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms June Haigh
Tel: (0131 6)50 3620
Email: |
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