Module Details

Module Code: CULT H8037
Full Title: Writing Race: Literature and Identity
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner:: Aoileann Ni Eigeartaigh
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: This module explores the issue of race and its influence on the forms, themes, authorship and reception of a number of key American and British literary texts. Students will perform close textual readings of a number of key novels, poems and short stories by black writers, considering the ways in which they challenge and engage with prevailing ideologies about race and racism. The undermining of dominant forms of discourse in order to open up a space for the promotion and celebration of black themes and styles will be a central theme. A key focus will be on the political dimensions of these texts and their ability to resist and subvert literary and social conventions.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Discuss the political and cultural contexts out of which the theories and literature of race have emerged.
MLO2 Critically examine the constructs of race in a number of key texts, including novels, short stories and poetry.
MLO3 Assess the ways in which these texts have engaged with and challenged prevailing ideologies.
MLO4 Perform an indepth analysis of a number of key texts, with particular focus on the aesthetics of resistance.
MLO5 Evaluate the politicization of black literature in contemporary society, both in America and in Britain.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
The African American Oral Tradition: From Spirituals to Hip Hop
n/a
The Literature of Slavery and Freedom, 1746-1865
n/a
Reconstruction to the New Negro Renaissance, 1865-1919
n/a
The Harlem Renaissance., 1919-1940
n/a
Civil Rights and the Literature of Protest, 1940s-1960s
n/a
The Black Arts Era, 1960-1975
n/a
Black Feminism, 1970-present
n/a
British Writers: The First Wave – Engaging with Postcolonialism
n/a
Civil Rights and Protest Writing in Britain.
n/a
The New British.
n/a
Whiteness Studies: Race and Identity
n/a
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Class participation is a key component in this module. Students will be given weekly readings to prepare for class and will be expected to contribute to structured class discussions.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 70
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will produce an indepth analysis of one key work of black literature. Their research will be structured around one of the core themes of the module; approx 2500 words
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will disseminate their research findings in a poster presentation.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

Part-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Class participation is a key component in this module. Students will be given weekly readings to prepare for class and will be expected to contribute to structured class discussions.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 70
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will produce an indepth analysis of one key work of black literature. Their research will be structured around one of the core themes of the module; approx 2500 words
Assessment Type Class Test % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will disseminate their research findings in a poster presentation.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
No repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will be offered solely on the basis of coursework and a repeat examination will not be offered.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Gates, Henry Louis, ed.. (2014), The Norton Anthology of African American Literature, W.W. Norton and Company.
  • Miller, D. Quentin. (2016), The Routledge Introduction to African American Literature, Routledge.
  • Gilroy, Paul. (1993), The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness, Verso Books.
  • Gilroy, Paul. (1993), The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness, Verso Books.
  • Ashcroft, Bill et al.. (2002), The Empire Writes Back, Routledge.
  • Ashcroft, Bill et al.. (2002), The Empire Writes Back, Routledge.
  • Harris, Trudier. (2001), The Concise Oxford Companion to African American Literature, Oxford University Press.
  • Proctor, James. (2000), Writing Black Britain, Manchester University Press.
  • Proctor, James. (2000), Writing Black Britain, Manchester University Press.
  • Taylor, Gary. (2005), Buying Whiteness: Race, Culture and Identity from Columbus to Hip Hop, Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Taylor, Gary. (2005), Buying Whiteness: Race, Culture and Identity from Columbus to Hip Hop, Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Wilson, Charles. (2005), Race and Racism in Literature, Greenwood Press.
  • Wilson, Charles. (2005), Race and Racism in Literature, Greenwood Press.
  • Sundquist, Eric. (1994), To Wake the Nations: Race in the Making of American Literature, Harvard University Press.
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • DkIT subscribes to a wide variety of Ebooks and Ejournals. Relevant articles will be recommended to students.
Other Resources
  • Online, Students will be expected to stay up-to-date with contemporary critical and cultural developments. Relevant websites and data bases will be strongly recommended to them.