UNIVERSITY OF KENT
MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
SECTION 1: MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
1.
Title of the module: Animals, Humans, Writing
2.
School which will be responsible for management of the module: School of English
3.
Start date of the module: September 2014
4.
The number of students expected to take the module: 15-45
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation
with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal: None
6.
Level of the module H
7.
The number of credits which the module represents: 30 (ECTS credits – 15)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern): Autumn or Spring
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules: Standard for entry to English special modules
10. The programme(s) of study to which the module contributes: English and American
Literature; English, American and Postcolonial Literatures; English and American
Literature with Creative Writing.
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module the student will have demonstrated:
11.1 in-depth knowledge of representations of animals in literature across
different periods (from the 18th century to the present).
11.2 an ability to compare representations of animals in different genres,
including novels, short stories and poetry.
11.3 an ability to relate writing about animals to broader historical, cultural,
philosophical, and political contexts.
11.4 sophisticated analytic skills, including close textual analysis;
11.5 a thorough understanding of critical approaches to animals in literature.
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module the student will have:
12.1 applied sophisticated close reading techniques to a range of literary texts
and genres and made productive and complex comparisons between them;
12.2 displayed strong presentation skills and an ability to actively participate in
group discussions;
12.3 showed an increased capacity for self-directed research and the ability to
discuss, evaluate and creatively deploy secondary critical and theoretical
perspectives making use of appropriate scholarly sources;
12.4 framed and identified appropriate research questions and to construct
original, clear and well-substantiated arguments.
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
What is the relationship between ‘animal’ and ‘human’, and how is this explored through
writing? This module seeks to examine creaturely relations by focusing on literature from
the 18th century up to the present, alongside key theoretical and contextual material that
engages with questions concerning animality and humanity. We will focus on how writers
imagine distinct animal worlds as well as how they understand the role of animals in
human cultures. A range of novels, short stories and poems will raise questions about
how we look at, think with, and try to give voice to animals, and topics covered will include
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
‘Becoming Animal’, ‘Listening to Animals’, ‘Touching Animals’ and ‘Tasting Animals’.
Students taking this module will gain a firm grounding in the diverse critical field known as
‘animal studies’, whilst also considering the broader cultural, philosophical and ethical
implications of how we think about the relationship between humans and animals.
14. Indicative Reading List
Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels (1726)
William Cowper, Robert Burns, selected animal poems (1783-5)
John Clare, poems on birds and other animals (1835-56)
Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book (1894)
H. G. Wells, The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896)
Jack London, The Call of the Wild (1903)
D. H. Lawrence, Birds, Beasts and Flowers; Poems (1923)
Djuna Barnes, Nightwood (1936)
Katherine Mansfield, Virginia Woolf, Elizabeth Bowen, selected stories (1919-39)
J. M. Coetzee, Disgrace (1999) and The Lives of Animals (1999)
Jonathan Safran Foer, Eating Animals (2009)
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and
the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to
achievement of the intended learning outcomes
30 contact hours over the term, consisting of ten 2-hour weekly seminars plus a further
directed hour. Students will be expected to study for a total of 25 hours per week including
contact time (total 300 hours).
Seminars will consist of general group discussion about literary animals and the wider
theoretical context of animal studies (11.1; 11.2; 11.3), guided critical reading (11.4; 12.1),
and small group and presentation work (11.5; 12.2; 12.3; 12.4). The module's third hour will
supplement the two-hour seminar with a mix of workshops, reading group meetings, lectures
and screenings, variously designed to further understanding of the seminar material. This
mixed programme of teaching events will foster independent learning and will encourage
creative intellectual engagement with the module materials (11.5; 12.3)
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended
learning outcomes
The module will be assessed on the basis of two essays of 2500 words each (45% for each
essay, forming a total of 90%), with the remaining 10% coming from a seminar performance
mark (assessed in accordance with criteria published in the School of English Undergraduate
Handbook). There will be suggested topics/questions provided, with the option for students to
construct a question in consultation with their seminar leader.
In accordance with the intended module learning outcomes, the two essays will test close
reading and a sensitivity to generic conventions (11.1; 11.2; 11.4; 12.1), and an ability to
construct nuanced arguments centred on the close relationship between aesthetics and
historical/cultural/philosophical/political contexts (11.3). Additionally, the essays will display
evidence that students have undertaken independent research and engaged with key critical
debates (11.5; 12.3). Students will also develop their ability to explain their ideas and
construct original, clear and well-substantiated arguments in informal presentations and group
work (12.2; 12.4).
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
Standard seminar rooms with audio-visual equipment. Much of the critical material is held in
the library but some additional texts may need to be purchased.
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality
legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need
in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever
necessary, including additional or substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment
methods for students who have declared and discussed their learning support needs.
Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis,
in consultation with the University’s disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist
support will be provided where needed.
19. Campus(es) where module will be delivered 1: Canterbury
20. Partner College/Validated Institution: n/a
21. University School (for cognate programmes) or Faculty (for non-cognate programmes)
responsible for the programme
SECTION 2: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME OF STUDY IN A UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
Statement by the School Director of Learning and Teaching/School Director of Graduate Studies
(as appropriate): "I confirm I have been consulted on the above module proposal and have given
advice on the correct procedures and required content of module proposals"
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Director of Learning and Teaching/Director of
Graduate Studies (delete as applicable)
Date
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Print Name
Statement by the Head of School: "I confirm that the School has approved the introduction of the
module and, where the module is proposed by School staff, will be responsible for its resourcing"
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Head of School
Date
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Print Name
SECTION 3: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME IN A PARTNER COLLEGE OR
VALIDATED INSTITUTION
(Where the module is proposed by a Partner College/Validated Institution)
Statement by the Nominated Officer of the College/Validated Institution (delete as applicable): "I
confirm that the College/Validated Institution (delete as applicable) has approved the introduction
of the module and will be responsible for its resourcing"
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Required for information purposes only. Changes of campus will not require re-approval of the
module specification.
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Nominated Responsible Officer of Partner
College/Validated Institution
Date
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Print Name
…………………………………………………..
Post
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Partner College/Validated Institution
Module Specification Template
Last updated February 2013
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