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