Module Leader

University of Surrey; Reading; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job description

This module introduces students to the variety of medieval and Early Modern romance from the twelfth to the early-seventeenth centuries. The texts will be read either in Middle English or in translation (languages covered will be Latin, French, Middle English, Arabic, Spanish, and Welsh). The module explores the genre with a particular interest in gender and sexuality, instances of transgression, multi-culturalism, and multilingualism.

The module is subdivided into three interconnected areas: stories of knightly chivalry, tales of the supernatural, and reactions to romance. As well as the primary texts, students will study examples of contemporary historical material to help them contextualise both the romances and these three thematic areas.

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the module learning outcomes in addition to the development of employability skills, digital capabilities, global and cultural capabilities, and resourcefulness and resilience. Seminar discussion with ongoing tutor feedback is designed mainly to assess transferable skills including independent learning, time management, and the ability to structure and communicate complex arguments in written and oral communication.

The summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Essay (4500 words)
• Formative assessment and feedback through seminar discussion and tutor feedback in seminars.

Upon completing this module, students will be able to:

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of medieval and Early Modern writing and related significant historical, social, and religious contexts
• critically compare and analyse translations of Middle English, French, Latin, Spanish, Arabic, and Welsh texts, and understand their relationship to the romance genre
• demonstrate advanced critical thinking by engaging with and responding to scholarship on medieval and Early Modern romance and cultural artefacts
• acquire advanced skills in the close reading and analysis of literary texts
• develop their ability to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments in written and oral formats
• demonstrate advanced independent research skills through in-class research tasks and the development of a robust argument for the final essay

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to ensure that students achieve the module learning outcomes and further develop their competencies in employability, digital capabilities, global and cultural intelligence, and resourcefulness and resilience.