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This course provides students with an introduction to, and an analytical survey of, specific kinds of literary theory in relation to Scottish literature. A variety of theoretical approaches are studied and a number of Scottish texts of different genres are considered. The value of literary theory in relation to students' own work is promoted.

10 x 1 hour lectures and 10 x 1 hour seminars, as scheduled in mycampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Scottish Literature, and by arrangement to visiting students.

None

critical exercise (1500 words) - 30% 

essay (3000 words) - 70%

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. 

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ develop an advanced awareness of literary theory in relation to Scottish Literature

■ analyse in-depth a variety of theoretical approaches

■ apply selected theoretical approaches to Scottish literary texts of different genres

■ discuss, with the writer in question, the work of a living writer with reference to the value of theory.

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

■ distinguish between literary criticism and critical theory

■ analyse problems relating to the application of historicist approaches to Scottish texts

■ explain the basic implications for a Scottish text of a number of theoretical approaches

■ describe the major movements in Scottish literary criticism from the 1880s to the present

■ apply the basic concepts of the theories discussed to a range of Scottish texts

■ describe the literary critical environment 'after theory'.

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