CLA2099 : Special Study on an Aspect of Classical Influence in English Literature
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Susanna Phillippo
- Lecturer: Professor Kate Chedgzoy, Dr Sally Waite
- Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To allow students to
• develop their insight into and ability to analyse the interrelationship between the literature and/or other cultural products of the classical world and texts in English literature, drama and/or film.
• develop skills and interpretative tools involved in assessing the influence of one culture upon another, and the ability to apply skills of literary analysis to the making and exploring of connections between classical and English literatures and cultures
• develop an interdisciplinary study that reflects their own particular interests and supports them in identifying and extending their intellectual strengths.
• demonstrate an ability to plan, conceptualise, research and execute independent work.
• synthesise their subject-specific skills in critical thinking, writing and presentation in a series of interdisciplinary tasks.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module is designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to analyse and discuss the relationships of influence, adaptation, and/or appropriation between classical sources and English texts.
Over the course of the module students will attend regular sessions focusing on skills and issues relevant to the module. These will involve a combination of group teaching and individual supervision, shared between the two Schools. In semester one, these sessions will focus on developing the knowledge and skills required to complete assignment one, a detailed critical analysis of the employment of classical sources in a text from the field of English literature, drama or film. The formative assignment will support the development of these skills.
In semester two these sessions will focus on the knowledge and skills required to complete assignment two, a research-based independent essay investigating the literary treatment of an element shared between classical source and modern work.
N.B. As the module title suggests, your essay must be an investigation of influence: any topic you choose must be based on clear, specific and demonstrable instances where a later writer has made demonstrable use of specific aspects of Classical literature and/or culture. Topics which are primarily comparative, involving modern works whose connection to classical material is tenuous, minimal or non-specific, are not suitable.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 44 | 1:00 | 44:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Jointly taught with Careers Service |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 42 | 1:00 | 42:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 7 | 1:00 | 7:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 45 | 1:00 | 45:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | all-class workshop |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Shared sessions with CAC2001 on devising a research topic and constructing a plan. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 2 | 0:30 | 1:00 | Individually scheduled with students |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 45 | 1:00 | 45:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| CAC2001 | Researching the Classics |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Private study is the primary mode for this module, through which the student learns to develop skills of independent study, and the ability to apply for themselves general skills of literary analysis to the specific field of the study of cross-cultural influence.
This is supported with small group sessions designed to outline appropriate approaches for the special study, and introduce, develop and reinforce key skills involved in undertaking independent study projects, The individual supervision sessions are designed to provide guidance and feedback in preparation for the assignments.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | A | 30 | 1 written assignment of 1600 words |
| Essay | 2 | A | 70 | One submitted essay of 2,400 words |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Students will be given the opportunity to submit 500 words of draft material for Written Exercise 1, on which feedback will be given. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessments develop key skills in synthesising the student’s knowledge of literary text and cultural context in both classical and English vernacular writing and applying it to an independent project.
The formative assessment exercise is intended to contribute to the drafting process for the Semester 1 assignment. Students will receive feedback on this formative work that will feed directly in to, and provide key guidance for, their summative Semester 1 assignment submission.
Private study is the primary mode for this module, through which the student learns to develop skills of independent research-type study, and the ability to apply for themselves general skills of literary analysis to the specific field of the study of cross-cultural influence.
Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.
This module cannot be made available to exchange students under any circumstances. This applies to Erasmus, study-abroad, exchange proper and Loyola students equally.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CLA2099's Timetable