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EL50B7: NEW WORLD NARRATIVES: LITERATURE, DISCOVERY AND THE AMERICAS (2016-2017)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

The ‘discovery’ of the Americas is an on-going process involving narratives, as well as exploration, colonisation and scientific discovery. This course will look at this process through fiction, visual media and scientific and travel narratives, in order to explore the invention and re-invention of North and South America as a cultural idea. Processes to be considered will include the pioneer experience, the impact of new technologies, collecting and categorising the natural world and human cultures, amongst others. Amongst the authors to be discussed may be Charles Darwin, Willa Cather, Alexander von Humboldt, Christopher Columbus, William and Henry James.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Old Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Patience Schell

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The ‘discovery’ of the Americas is an on-going process involving narratives, as well as exploration, colonisation and scientific discovery. This course will look at this process through fiction, visual media and scientific and travel narratives, in order to explore the invention and re-invention of North and South America as a cultural idea. Processes to be considered will include the pioneer experience, the impact of new technologies, collecting and categorising the natural world and human cultures, amongst others. Amongst the authors to be discussed may be Charles Darwin, Willa Cather, Alexander von Humboldt, Christopher Columbus, William and Henry James.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt:

Two 3,000 word essays (45% each); in-class presentation (10%)

Resit:

5,000-word essay (100%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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