A PG-level introduction to the theory of Comparative Literature, this course is one of two which will be available to students in any literature-culture PGT programme in the College of Arts. This course will provide the historical and theoretical background to the study of Comparative Literature and can be seen as preparation for further study on any optional Comparative Literature courses, including Comparative Literature in Practice in Semester 2.

Weekly 2-hour seminar for 11 weeks.

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Assessment

Assessment for the core consists of the following:

■ Individual reflective study diary (1,000 words) (10%)

■ 20-minute individual conference-type presentation (end of Semester 1) to be developed into the essay (20%)

■ 3,500 word essay plus 500 word reflective appendix to be submitted at the end of week 2 of Semester 2 (70%).

Reassessment

In accordance with the University's Code of Assessment reassessments are normally set for all courses which do not contribute to the honours classifications. For non honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students, and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions are listed below in this box.

The essay may be resubmitted (as a newly-written piece) at the end of Semester 2.

NEITHER the presentations NOR the reflective diary may be reassessed.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The aims of this course are to:

■ Introduce students to the discipline of Comparative Literature and to the appraisal and use of different comparative methodologies

■ Familiarise students with key terms and concepts in Comparative Literature

■ Prepare students to engage with secondary literature and theory in Comparative Literature and cognate disciplines

■ Equip students with the intellectual and methodological tools to identify productive research avenues and develop an argument using comparative criticism and methodologies

Intended learning outcomes:

By the end of the course students will be able to:

■ Situate Comparative Literature among the disciplines, assess its key critical methodologies and identify intellectual and methodological problems involved in working within a comparative framework

■ Demonstrate a deeper grasp of the key debates in the discipline of Comparative Literature, their implications, and applicability in a relevant context

■ Articulate in oral and written form their intellectual position in response of a critical or theoretical text encountered during the course, assessing its effectiveness, implications, and contribution to the field

■ Develop research questions and sustained arguments that make use of comparative methodologies

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.