Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Contemporary representations of the body: literature, theory and art
School	Lan, Cult, Art Hist & Music
Department	Modern Languages
Module Code	09 30770
Module Lead	Elliot Evans
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-10 hours Seminar-20 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module forms an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural exploration of what it means to live as a body, and how that body has been expressed through visual art, performance art and literature in recent years. It will include an introduction to various theoretical approaches to corporeality from phenomenology to constructivist (feminist or queer) thought. In particular, work by artists and writers considering the body from marginalised (e.g. gendered or racialised) positions, and from within specific cultural contexts to consider how this affects the very experience of our bodies. Students will develop sophisticated analytical skills and gain confidence in responding to visual, literary and theoretical works.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: engage in a sophisticated, intellectual and critically-minded way with contemporary literature and visual works, thinking through relevant critical theory to inform their response. demonstrate understanding of and argue for the importance of situating a work in its specific cultural, linguistic, political and national context. use digital and web-based technology to communicate their ideas effectively and in a way that enhances both their thinking and the expression of their thought. Show appreciation, through an exposure to ‘otherness’ and the artistic/creative expression of othered bodies, the complex ways in which bodies are particularised across different cultural and linguistic contexts.
Assessment	30770-01 : 3,000 word essay : Coursework (75%) 30770-02 : 1,000 word short video : Practical (25%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	A 3000 word essay in English (75%). A 1000 word or equivalent short video/audio recording forming a blog post responding to a contemporary visual work or literary/theoretical text in English (25%).
Other
Reading List