Course Catalogue

The Short Story in Scotland: Tradition & Innovation SCOTLIT4040

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Critical Studies
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

A survey study of Scottish short stories from the 1820s to the 21st century, looking at historical-period aspects of form and how the genre of short fiction develops and changes with reference to Scottish and wider Western cultural history.

Timetable

1 x 2 hour seminar over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

Requirements of Entry

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Scottish Literature, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are: 

 

■ Group presentation (10 minutes) - 50% (of which 30% is an individual mark and 20% a group mark) 

■ Essay (1500 words) - 50% 

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ Individual recorded presentation with extended analysis as alternative to presentation. 

■ There are no alternatives to the Essay (1500 words), but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual extension process).

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

 

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ introduce students to the genesis and development of the short story in Scotland

■ introduce students to reading the formal elements of the short story

■ enable students to utilise formal and historic elements of the short story to mount an independent

investigation of the short story

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ Analyse the key formal features of the short story

■ Critically evaluate the key historic contexts of the short story as these change through time

■ Investigate the ways in which publishing and other contexts influence the production of the short story

■ Work collaboratively to explore a specific area of research interest and clearly communicate findings orally and in writing

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions