Module Catalogue 2024/25

SEL8674 : Research Methods (Literature)

SEL8674 : Research Methods (Literature)

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Jacob Jewusiak
  • Lecturer: Dr Aditi Nafde, Dr Stacy Gillis, Dr James Cummings, Professor Anne Whitehead, Dr Robbie McLaughlan, Professor Neelam Srivastava, Mr Joey Jenkins, Dr Kirsten MacLeod
  • Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module is designed to manage students' transition from undergraduate work to postgraduate study and research. It introduces them to new and current trends in the discipline and allows them to lay the preliminary conceptual and theoretical groundwork for the development of their Masters dissertation project.

To this end, it enables them to develop:

• Knowledge and understanding of the importance of disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research
frameworks
• Knowledge and understanding of a variety of disciplinary methodologies, sources and resources
• The capacity to situate individual research in relation to major critical fields

Outline Of Syllabus

After an introductory week, focusing on critical methods, the module will examine methods of research in literary studies through case studies of theories and approaches which may include:
• Canonicity
• Historicism and cultural materialism
• Formalism
• Feminism
• Queer theory
• Postcolonialism and world literature
• Psychoanalysis
• The archive
• Digital humanities

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module, students should:
• Have theoretical and practical knowledge of the value and problems of critical frameworks and
methodological approaches
• Have developed skills in analysis and reflection
• Understand the discipline of literary studies and be able to situate their own intellectual
development within that disciplinary framework

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module, students should be able to:
• Apply a series of critical and theoretical frameworks to their research
• Be able to situate different critical and theoretical arguments in their respective fields
• Reflect critically on their work and intellectual development

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion144:0044:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching112:0022:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyStudent-led group activity111:0011:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1123:00123:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Small group teaching/workshops are the most appropriate teaching strategies for the deep learning required at Masters level. This will be supplemented by learning activities and independent study.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1A1004000 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

At the end of the module, students will submit a 4000-word essay that will examine one or more of the critical theories and/or approaches they have studied on the module and in which they will position their own work in relation to those theories and/or approaches. This will require students to show understanding both of a key critical theory and/or method and encourage reflection on the conceptual and theoretical basis of the research they will undertake at Masters level.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

This is where you will be able to find all key information about modules on your programme of study. It will help you make an informed decision on the options available to you within your programme.

You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.

Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.