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Course Description
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Course Name
Reading and Interpretation
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Host University
Kingston University
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Location
London, England
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Area of Study
English, Literature, Poetry
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Language Level
Taught In English
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Prerequisites
Previous academic study of English literature; needs to be taken along with EL4003
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Course Level Recommendations
Lower
ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.
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Credits
4 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits4
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Recommended U.S. Quarter Units0
Hours & Credits
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Overview
Course Content:
This introductory module develops skills of close reading and textual analysis. Taking a
broad range of examples from prose, poetry, and drama, the module will explore aspects
of form, genre, and convention and provide a solid foundation for subsequent work on
the degree. Students will be asked questions such as what is literature and why is it
worthy of our study? What are the distinctive characteristics of narrative forms, for
example the realist novel, children?s literature, or science fiction? In poetry, what are the
formal requirements of a sonnet, pastoral, or epic; or of tragedy, comedy, and realism in
drama? To what extent are these categories useful ways of reading and thinking about
literature and who decides anyway?There are four main strands:
Strand 1: Genre. What characterises the main genres of literature? Why is a novel
different from a romance, a poem different from a play, or a biography different from
short story?Strand 2: Form. What are the detailed formal characteristics of literary genres? How are
poems divided into subgenres such as epic, ballad, and lyric? What are cantos, stanzas,
and verses? How do poets use rhythm and meter? How are plays structured into acts and
scenes? What are the formal requirements of the novel?Strand 3: Language. What is the difference between literal and figurative language? What
do we understand by metaphor, metonymy, and symbolism? How can we analyse tone,
context, and register? How do we interpret writing that is nuanced, ambiguous, or ironic?Strand 4: Criticism. How do we communicate our advanced reading of texts to others?
How is a close reading of a text structured and presented? What is an appropriate critical
vocabulary? How do we give an oral presentation? How do we present close readings in
electronic media?Teaching:
Lectures/workshops and seminarsAssessment:
STUDY OPTION 1: Portfolio (100%):
? Close reading of 1000 words (40%)
? Essay plan (10%)
? 1500 word essay (50%)
STUDY OPTION 2: portfolio (some elements as those for Study Option 1).
STUDY OPTION 3: portfolio (some elements as those for Study Option 1).Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer
Course Disclaimer
Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or pre-requisites.
Some courses may require additional fees.
Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.
Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.
Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.