From Landscapes to Mixtapes: Canadian Literature, Film and Culture
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| AMCS1008 | American and Canadian Studies | 1 | 20 | Full Year UK |
- Code
- AMCS1008
- School
- American and Canadian Studies
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Full Year UK
Summary
This module offers an introduction to Canadian literature, film and other cultural forms in relation to key historical and cultural developments. While some reference will be made to earlier periods, the focus will be predominantly on the second half of the twentieth century. Particular attention will be devoted to confronting problems of diverse and diverging identities within Canada. Topics for discussion will include constructions of the wilderness, Québec nationalism, Indigenous culture, multiculturalism, Canada-US border studies, and Canadian popular culture.
Students who fail the participation component will be required to submit a written assignment of 1000 words that engages with the primary texts discussed in the missed seminars.
Target Students
Available to Year 1 SH and JH American and Canadian Studies students and Liberal Arts students.
Classes
- One 1-hour lecture per week for 23 weeks
- One 2-hour screening per week for 4 weeks
- One 1-hour seminar per week for 23 weeks
The School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies operates an attendance policy. The details of this policy can be found in the student handbook on Workspace and in module handbooks.
Assessment
- 15% Coursework 1: Coursework 1 - Close textual analysis - 750 words
- 25% Coursework 2: Coursework 2 - Essay 1,100 - 1,250 words
- 15% Coursework 3: Coursework 3 - Critical analysis - 750 words
- 25% Coursework 4: Coursework 4 - Essay 1,250 - 1,500 words
- 20% Participation: Participation - (split equally - 10% in semester 1 and 10% in semester 2)
Assessed in both autumn & spring semest
Educational Aims
For students pursuing the Single Honours American and Canadian Literature, History and Culture degree, this module is a core designed to complement the Department’s other core modules, offering a foundation for more specialized work in Canadian topics later in the degree. This module aims to be inter- and multidisciplinary, although the emphasis remains on a range of cultural texts in relation to historical context.The module offers an introduction to Canadian cultural studies through an examination of selected literary, film and visual texts. These cultural texts will be situated in their appropriate historical, political, regional and national contexts.Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, students should have a deeper understanding of a range of Canadian cultural materials, and an increased ability to interpret these materials in their artistic, social and political contexts. Students should attain a greater ability to analyse and explain works and concepts from diverse disciplines and media in relation to each other.
- Knowledge & Understanding:
- Expansion of students’ understanding of ‘American’ Studies;
- Development of historical, political, and cultural knowledge of Canada
Intellectual Skills:
- Development of interdisciplinary learning through attention to Canadian history, cultural policy, literature, film, television, and visual art;
- Improvement of interpretative skills of literary, cinematic, televisual and artistic texts;
- Encouragement of independent critical thinking
Transferable Skills:
- Improvement of ability to communicate effectively and professionally in writing;
- Improvement of verbal expression and professional communication through seminar discussion;
- Encouragement of the ability to take responsibility for and manage one's time, resources and research