Programme And Module Handbook
 
Course Details in 2026/27 Session


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Module Title LH Muslim Women's Popular Fiction
SchoolEng, Drama, & Creative Studies
Department English Literature
Module Code 09 31944
Module Lead Amy Burge
Level Honours Level
Credits 20
Semester Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions None
Contact Hours Lecture-8 hours
Seminar-20 hours
Project supervision-2 hours
Guided independent study-170 hours
Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description This module examines the global turn in popular fiction through a focus on popular and genre writing by Muslim women. Focusing on writing by women deemed ‘popular’ rather than ‘literary’, the module engages with critical readings in gender, religion, race, and genre alongside a range of genre fiction, film, TV and digital culture by Muslim women authors (including romance, chick lit, detective fiction, Young Adult, fantasy, autobiography and memoir).

The module has four key themes:
  • The global – How is popular fiction marketed, produced, and consumed as a global product?
  • Genre – How culturally-specific are literary genres? How do we think about these works in the context of existing genre theory? We will address issues of taste, reception, and readership.
  • Women’s writing and its development – How does popular writing fit into the tradition of women’s writing? How might we rethink the ‘tradition’?
  • Gender and sexuality – We will conduct guided intersectional readings of texts, drawing on theoretical and critical works.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the Module, students should be able to:
  • Read, closely and critically, a range of literary texts (including visual culture) and approaches to Muslim women’s popular fiction.
  • Synthesise theoretical and critical work on genre, race, gender, and religion with literary analysis of texts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how culture affects the way texts are produced and received, in different contexts, by different readers.
  • Articulate your own and other people’s ideas concisely, accurately, and persuasively
Assessment 31944-04 : 1,000 Word Blog : Coursework (30%)
31944-06 : 1,500 word Review : Coursework (30%)
31944-07 : Group Presentation and a 500 Inv reflection : Presentation (40%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Assessment
1. Choose one of the following (30%):
a) 1 x 1000-word critical study (blog post)
b) 1 x 1000-word source study (close reading)
c) A 500-word reflection on a Wikipedia entry
d) A 500-word commentary on a creative piece

2. Group research assignment (70%) comprised of two parts:
a) A collaboratively-developed 20-minute presentation on a group research project.
b) A 500-word individual reflective piece in which you assess your contribution and learning.

Method of Reassessment
Failed component only

1. Choose one of the following (30%):
a) 1 x 1000-word critical study (blog post)
b) 1 x 1000-word source study (close reading)
c) A 500-word reflection on a Wikipedia entry
d) A 500-word commentary on a creative piece

2. Group research assignment (70%) reassessed by 2,000-word essay
Other
Reading List