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Introduction to English Studies B, is designed specifically for you as someone who loves reading literature in its various exciting forms, genres. The course not only introduces you to the art of reading and appreciating literary texts, but it also provides you with key foundational skills such as critical and analytical thinking, understanding different literary landscape, historical context, and WRITING and ARGUMENTATION. In other words, ENGL102 equips you with the pertinent and knowledge necessary to engage deeply with different literary genres while also preparing you for the world you live in. 

This English Studies module introduces you to ecopoetics: poetry and prose with a strong ecological message. We do not simply study literature that speaks of nature or presents nature as a backdrop to the human story, but literature that puts Nature at the forefront, and gives her agency and voice! It is literature that forces us to question and re-evaluate anthropocentric hierarchies between human and nonhuman.

You will become an ecocritic in this module – learn to read with Green-focals. The eco in ecocriticism refers to ecology, which is concerned with the interrelationship between multiple organisms in an environment. Ecology does not see the human as outside or above nature, but entangled in a system of mutual dependency.

In this era of "mass extinctions and onrushing natural disasters" (Donna Haraway), there is no better time to question the role of humans in the devastation of the earth. And, more importantly, our role in restoring the earth. How we treat nature has everything to do with the stories we are told about her – from religious texts to fairytales. How writers and poets describe Nature and our relationship with her matters. What stories shape our relationship with Nature?  Are they stories of dominion over nature, or other stories that speak of kinship with Nature, marveling at her powers?

The module utilises a collection of short texts (poetry and prose) with the aim to develop and exercise close reading skills – making sense of metaphors, symbols and intertextual allusions. At the same time, the module introduces pivotal literary and cultural movements: Romanticism, Ecopoetry and Afrofuturism.

NB: This is a contact lecture module.

Prerequisite Requirement:48 credits in English Studies.

Aim: To develop your skills of literary study in relation to the conventions of genre, and to develop your writing abilities.

Content: Substantial reading of literature is required. The module equips you with skills of literary period study and genre

analysis. Where appropriate these are linked to the development of your own creative and academic writing.

436 Syllabi

Assessment: Class assignments: 50%, which may include short exercises, tests and essays and controlled

assessment (50%).

DP Requirement: Submit all work on time, and attend at least 80% of classes.