Course Catalogue

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The course introduces students to the study and representation of the everyday, the mix of sweeping trends and little things that make up the day-in, day-out of life. Via key themes (such as private and public space, rhythms and routines, streets and houses, interaction and alienation, boredom and surprise) we will analyse a selection of filmic, photographic and literary texts in which the everyday is portrayed (such as city symphonies, photobooks, literary fiction and documentaries).

20 x 1 hour sessions over both semesters as scheduled in MyCampus

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into one of the SMLC Honours programmes, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

None

None

Essay (2000 words) - 50%

Individual Presentation - 25%

Report (1000 words) - 25%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ introduce students to the everyday as a theoretical category and field of representation;

■ expand students' understanding of the different strategies writers, filmmakers and photographers have used to address the challenges and potentialities of everyday life;

■ develop awareness of topics and key works of cross-cultural and intermedial interest to students of Modern Languages and Cultures.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ explain the main terms and concepts in theoretical reflections on the everyday;

■ produce sustained arguments on a variety of filmic, photographic and literary texts representing the everyday drawn from diverse cultural contexts

■ engage in further research on any of the theoretical issues and representational forms covered;

■ present ideas clearly and analytically both orally and in writing with appropriate citation of sources, uses of evidence and attribution of contribution.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.