Centre for Open Studies
Liberal Arts Electives 2014-15
BEd Year 2
Electives timetable at a glance:
Time
(Tuesday)
11am-1pm
11am-1pm
Elective
Tutor
The Art of the 20th Century
Creative Writing: The Novel
11am-1pm
Emergence of the West
11am-1pm
Nationalism and Unionism: Irish
History 1845-1998
Introduction to Spanish
Taking the Cross
Blair Cunningham
Pamela Ross and Alan
McMunnigall
Patrick Parsons and Lindsay
Thomson
Robert Lynch
11am-1pm
1pm-3pm
Enrolment
Limit*
25
20
25
25
Liam Kane
20
Patrick Parsons and Lindsay
25
Thomson
1pm-3pm
The Impact of Drugs and Alcohol
Joyce Nicholson
25
1pm-3pm
The Later Modern Novel
Paul Innes and Pamela Ross
25
1pm-3pm
War Reformation and Union
Kirsty McAlister
25
1pm-3pm
Creative Writing: The Short Story
Pamela Ross and Alan
25
McMunnigall
1pm-3pm
The Art of the 20th Century
Blair Cunningham
25
* Please note that classes cannot exceed their enrolment limits, you must register for your place on
the elective(s) you’d like to take as early as possible.
Important notes:

Please make sure that you have fully enrolled on the course of your choice (it will show green).

If you are registered with Disability Services please email the Open Studies Disability Coordinator
Irene Vezza (Irene.vezza@glasgow.ac.uk) to ensure that your support provisions for assessment and
lectures are taken into consideration. Open Studies will be in touch with you to confirm exam
provisions at least 2 weeks prior to exams being held.
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A note from the Centre for Open Studies
The Liberal Arts electives were developed in order to broaden your experience of University-level
courses and to offer you the chance to explore a subject that does not form part of your core curriculum.
However, we hope that they will offer you a little more than that. In this competitive world, adding a dash
of expertise in another subject area might just be enough to make you stand out from the crowd.
Some of the subjects that we’re offering you here are not available at undergraduate level anywhere else
in the University of Glasgow (e.g. Creative Writing), and many of them are being increasingly phased out
at school level (e.g. Latin, history). This is your chance to explore them.
Your electives are a necessary part of your curriculum: you must pass them in order to progress through
your degree. While each subject offers a fascinating learning experience in itself, there is also the
opportunity to develop secondary skills. You might find that studying Latin strengthens your command of
English; or that history helps you develop your critical thinking; or that your imagination and
communication skills are stimulated by creative writing.
Please read through the attached information before making your course choice so that you know what to
expect. Included where possible are comments from students who’ve taken these electives in their second
year. More information on the course and assessments can be found by reading the descriptions overleaf
and by following the hyperlinks.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Coordinator for the CertHe Programme,
Dr Paul Innes (Paul.Innes@glasgow.ac.uk).
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Electives
The Art of the 20th Century .................................................................................................................. 4
Creative Writing: the Novel .................................................................................................................. 4
Emergence of the West .......................................................................................................................... 5
Taking the Cross ................................................................................................................................... 5
The Impact of Drugs and Alcohol Misuse and Child Development ..................................................... 6
Introduction to Spanish ......................................................................................................................... 6
The Later Modern Novel....................................................................................................................... 6
War, Reformation and Union ................................................................................................................ 7
Nationalism and Unionism: Irish History 1845-1998 ........................................................................... 7
Creative Writing: The Short Story ........................................................................................................ 7
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The Art of the 20th Century
The art of the twentieth century can be both exhilarating and daunting. This course is all about
demystifying modern and contemporary art. It provides a general overview of some of the major
movements, artists and ideas of twentieth century art and also introduces you to some of the important
debates and controversies which surround the variety of art from the last century.
For more information, go to: http://www.gla.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/course/?code=ADED1098E
Students who have taken this course said:
‘Very enjoyable and interesting.’
‘(I gained) an insight into numerous movements and artists: a wide variety.’
‘I feel that this subject is very relevant to our teaching degree as it touches on many areas including
sociology, history, etc.’
‘(I) will definitely continue to follow my interest in the subject.’
Creative Writing: the Novel
The course will introduce students to university level study in creative writing in the novel. It aims to
build confidence in your ability to interpret and analyze set texts, both in creative writing and in study
skills, and to enable you to develop your own creative writing skills in relation to fiction writing in the
novel form.
For more information, go to: http://www.gla.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/course/?code=ADED1023E
Students who have taken this course said:
‘Fun and interesting.’
‘The freedom to write what you want with staff support was good.’
‘(I liked) being able to improve my writing skills in an informal way.’
‘It allowed my creativity to come out.’
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Emergence of the West
NEW! How did Medieval Europe emerge from the collapse of the Roman World? Drawing on written,
artistic and archaeological evidence, and the latest research, this course provides an understanding of the
key events and processes which transformed Western Europe from 'Roman' provinces into 'Barbarian'
kingdoms. You will explore topics such as the 'decline' of Roman power, the origins of the kingdoms of
the Goths, Franks and Anglo-Saxons, 'barbarian' society and culture, and the Christianization of Western
Europe.
For more information, go to: http://www.gla.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/course/?code=ADED1032E
Taking the Cross
In the wake of 9/11 the Crusades (‘Taking the Cross’) have become highly relevant to current world
affairs, but also highly controversial, and their history is often obscured by popular myths and modern
prejudices and misconceptions. Drawing on written, artistic and archaeological evidence and the latest
research we reappraise and challenge such misconceptions. We investigate the origins of crusading, the
evolution of the crusading movement, who the crusaders were, the responses of Islamic world, and the
extension of crusading beyond the Holy Land.
For more information, go to: http://www.gla.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/course/?code=ADED1097E
Students who have taken this course said:
‘Well-organised, interesting subject.’
‘Links to theology, giving me a better understanding of that period.’
‘Lots of helpful feedback on essays ... to improve on future work; ... improved my writing.’
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The Impact of Drugs and Alcohol Misuse and Child Development
The overall aim of the course is to develop your knowledge regarding the impact of parental drug and
alcohol misuse on child development and to consider the skills required that will be relevant to provide
help and support in an educational setting.
For more information, go to: http://www.gla.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/course/?code=ADED1099E
Students who have taken this course said:
‘I have found it to be extremely inspirational and motivational!’
‘The course made me much more aware of the issues relating to drugs and alcohol and their impact on
children.’
‘Very useful, should become a necessary course for all teachers! It’s so important!’
Introduction to Spanish
This course offers you the opportunity to acquire useful skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening
to a foreign language. Special emphasis is placed on building up your confidence in speaking (which
means a strong emphasis on conversational skills in class rather than on grammar!).
For more information, go to: http://www.gla.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/course/?code=ADED11000E
The Later Modern Novel
We will examine the novel from the time of World War Two, looking at the major principles and
techniques of the different kinds of novelistic writing. Discussions will be placed within the overall
context of literary historical movements and you will read some (short!) examples for yourself.
For more information, go to: http://www.gla.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/course/?code=ADED1100E
Students who have taken this course said:
‘It was well organised. The tutor was fantastic!’
‘Coursework was presented in a clear, cohesive manner. The tutor took into account students preferred
learning styles and adapted materials to suit.’
‘What was expected from us was clearly identified from the start of the course.
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War, Reformation and Union
This course aims to introduce you to the major themes in the political, religious, military and international
development of Scotland from the reign of James IV to the Jacobite War of 1715. It covers many key
figures and topics, including Mary Queen of Scots, the religious and political upheaval of the
Reformation crisis, the Covenanting movement, the Highland Problem, the British Civil Wars and
relations with Ireland, the Jacobite threat, and the origins and impact of the Treaty of Union.
For more information, go to: http://www.gla.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/course/?code=ADED1108E
Students who have taken this course said:
‘Enjoyable and well-organised and structured.’
‘Gave me a greater understanding of my country. Really enjoyed Mary Queen of Scots and witchcraft.’
‘It has been the best course I’ve done... I would recommend it to anyone.’
Nationalism and Unionism: Irish History 1845-1998
The course aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the most important political, social
and economic developments in nineteenth and twentieth century Ireland. There will be particular focus on
the nature and development of the 'Irish Question' and the growth of Irish nationalism and unionism since
1845. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate conflicting historical interpretations and look at the
social and economic context within which nationalism and unionism developed.
For more information, go to: http://www.gla.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/course/?code=ADED1078E
Creative Writing: The Short Story
The course is designed to introduce students to university level study in creative writing in the short story.
It will build students' confidence in their ability to interpret and analyse set texts, both in creative writing
and in study skills, and students will be enabled to take their creative writing skills to the appropriate level
in relation to fiction writing in the short story form.
For more information, go to: http://www.gla.ac.uk/coursecatalogue/course/?code=ADED1024E
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