Overview

The module will begin with an introduction to theoretical approaches to fantastic literatures, and will then move on to exploring different linguistic and literary traditions, such as Francophone (such as science fiction in Franco-Belgian bande dessinée), Hispanophone (such as Latin American magic realism), and Germanophone (such as Franz Kafka and Alfred Kubin). The module guides students to an awareness of the development of the fantastic as a literary area, from its historical beginnings to contemporary texts. The material will be taught in a two hour weekly session which combines a lecture with workshop style seminars, during which students will both have opportunity to discuss set texts, and to develop their own writing of the fantastic.

The module will be taught through combined lecture and workshop style seminars, allowing students to explore texts from a variety of geographical locations and historical times through the lens of their own critical thought and creative approaches. Beginning with an introduction to theoretical approaches to fantastic literatures, the module will use these theoretical approaches as lenses through which to explore a variety of literary traditions, including the Francophone, Hispanophone and Germanophone literary fantastic. Students will be encouraged to contextualise and expand their creative work in the area of fantastic literature with reference to primary and critical reading.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D (40%>) A candidate’s work will show many of the following features:Limited engagement with ideas.Link between themes and form not always clear.Limited sense of formal conventions. Inconsistent with regard to linguistic technicalities.Limited awareness of redrafting and editing process.

-good -B (60%>) A candidate’s work will show many of the following qualities: Demonstration of a degree of vitality and originality. Very good understanding of generic conventions; sound use of structures and forms. Resourceful use of language. Sound understanding of the creative process and thoughtful control of decisions made in writing. Very good work, which at times comes close to publishable standard.

-excellent -A (70%>) Typically, the work of a first class candidate will show many of the following qualities: Excellent levels of originality, vision and depth; striking and thorough engagement with ideas. Excellent understanding and control of form. Impressive linguistic control and/or innovation. Sophisticated understanding of the creative process and assured control of decisions made in writing. Dynamic work approaching publishable standard.

-another level -B (60%>) A candidate’s work will show many of the following qualities: Some attempt at serious exploration of ideas. Some link between themes and form. Good attempt to engage with form, but this may not be entirely sustained. Use of language technically proficient, but not always focused. Some awareness of the creative process and of decisions made in writing. Good work, but its strengths need to be more fully sustained to reach publishable standard.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse the different expressions of the fantastic in a variety of linguistic and literary traditions

• Create new and original fantastic texts in a widely informed literary context.

• Critically evaluate fantastic literary texts

• Develop a critical grounding in a variety of theoretical approaches to the literary fantastic.