Major Writers of Literature in English
Code: 106327 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| English Studies | OT | 3 |
| English Studies | OT | 4 |
Contact
- Name:
- David Owen
- Email:
- david.owen@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
Major Writers of Literature in English is a subject that offers a monographic view on an author of central
importance in the literature written in this language. The course for the 2023-24 academic year provides a
detailed and intensive study of the life and work of Jane Austen (1775-1817).
A C2 (Proficiency) level of English as established by the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment is required.
With C2, the student can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; summarize information from
different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation;
express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in
the most complex situations.
The knowledge acquired in the subjects Cultural History of the British Isles and Literature of British
Romanticism will be particularly relevant, in addition to other compulsory literature subjects taken throughout
the degree.
Objectives and Contextualisation
This subject provides an approach to the life and work of Jane Austen, to the British literary culture of her time,
and to the most relevant corpus of literary criticism about this author.
The basic aim of the course is to attain a more complete understanding of aspects of Austen's life and work,
from her juvenilia to her last unfinished novel, Sanditon. The course will carry out a critical reading of her major
novels (their influence on English literature; their literary roots; their technical and artistic contribution to the
English novel), of her correspondence, of the critical trends surrounding the figure of the author, of the
socio-cultural and historical environment prevalent during her life, and Austen's "after life" in literature, cinema,
and television.
Competences
- English Studies
- Apply scientific ethical principles to information processing.
- Apply the methodology of analysis and critical concepts to analysing the literature, culture and history of English-speaking countries.
- Critically evaluate linguistic, literary and cultural production in English.
- Demonstrate skills to develop professionally in the fields of linguistic applications, teaching and literary and cultural management in English.
- Demonstrate skills to work autonomously and in teams to fulfil the planned objectives.
- Develop arguments applicable to the fields of literature, culture and linguistics and evaluate their academic relevance.
- Students must develop the necessary learning skills in order to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
- Understand and produce written and spoken academic texts in English at advanced higher-proficient-user level (C2).
- Use current philological methodologies to interpret literary texts in English and their cultural and historical context.
- Use digital tools and specific documentary sources for the collection and organisation of information.
- Use written and spoken English for academic and professional purposes, related to the study of linguistics, the philosophy of language, history, English culture and literature.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse the contexts of application of literary and interpretative criticism in the different areas of literary and cultural production in English.
- Demonstrate comprehension of specialist and non-specialist texts in English of high difficulty and interpret these critically.
- Describe critically and in detail the set of stylistic and cultural elements that affect a literary text in English.
- Express oneself in English orally and in writing in an academic register, using terminology appropriate to the study of the texts and contexts of English literature.
- Identify the stylistic and cultural elements that make up the interpretation of different literary genres in English.
- In an effective manner, organise the autonomous component to learning.
- Incorporate ideas and concepts from published sources into work, citing and referencing appropriately.
- Locate specialised and academic information and select this according to its relevance.
- Plan work effectively, individually or in groups, in order to fulfil the planned objectives.
- Produce written and spoken academic texts at a higher-proficient-user level (C2) on the concepts and skills relevant to the study of English literary texts and contexts.
- Understand and differentiate adequately between the concepts of literature and culture in English, as well as their mutual relations and interactions.
- Understand and reflect on literature and culture in English, situating these in their contexts and historical circumstances.
- Understand specialised academic texts on research into the texts and contexts of English literature.
- Understanding and reflecting on relatively specialised authentic texts in English in various academic and professional fields.
Content
Unit 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Social and Cultural Background; Historical Context
Unit 3: Critical Approaches to Jane Austen
Unit 4: The Juvenilia
Unit 5: Lady Susan
Unit 6: "The Big Six". Austen's Major Novels
- Sense and Sensibility (1811). Episodes & Fragments
- Pride and Prejudice (1813). Episodes & Fragments
- Mansfield Park (1814). Episodes & Fragments
- Emma (1815). Episodes & Fragments
- Persuasion (1817). Episodes & Fragments
- Northanger Abbey (1817). Episodes & Fragments
Unit 7: The Unfinished Works (Catharine; The Watsons; Sanditon)
Unit 8: Austen's Legacy and Influence
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Class Discussions | 20 | 0.8 | 13, 2, 12, 4, 8, 10 |
| Lectures | 30 | 1.2 | 13, 2, 12, 4, 8 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Bibliographical Search | 10 | 0.4 | 13, 2, 12, 8, 6 |
| Essay writing | 20 | 0.8 | 13, 2, 12, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Personal study | 20 | 0.8 | 13, 2, 12, 7, 8, 6, 9, 10 |
| Reading | 25 | 1 | 13, 2, 12, 8, 6 |
1 ECTS credit = 25 teaching/assessment hours > 6 credits = 150 hours.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance and participation in class | 10% | 5 | 0.2 | 1, 11, 13, 2, 3, 12, 4, 7, 8, 6, 9, 10 |
| Written Assignment 1 | 45% | 10 | 0.4 | 1, 11, 13, 2, 3, 12, 14, 4, 5, 7, 8, 6, 9, 10 |
| Written assignment 2 | 45% | 10 | 0.4 | 1, 11, 13, 2, 3, 12, 14, 4, 5, 7, 8, 6, 9, 10 |
Assessment is based on the following items:
- Two essays (2 x 45%) = 90%
- Attendance and participation in class debates = 10%
Definitive dates for each of the above exercises will be published at the start of the course.
On carrying out each assessment activity, lecturers will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures
to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.
All exercises are COMPULSORY
Students will obtain a Not assessed/Not submitted course grade unless they have submitted more than two
thirds of the assessment items.
Reassessment conditions
Students whose final average mark of the two exams is between 3,5 and 4,9 are eligible for
re-assessment.
The specific re-assessment activity will be confirmed by the lecturer.
The only pass mark awarded in re-assessment is a 5.
In case students cannot take the exam on the date set up by the teacher for justified medical reasons, a
different date can be agreed on with the lecturer.
Reassessment is available ONLY to students who have failed the initial assessment; it is NOT available
to students who have passed but wish to improve their final grade.
Assessment is based on the following items:
Two essays (2 x 45%) = 90%
Attendance and participation in class debates = 10%
Plagiarism
In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade
awarded to an assessment activity, the student will begiven a zero for this activity, regardless of any
disciplinary process that maytake place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the
same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.
Irregularities refer, for instance, to copying in an exam, copying from sources without indcating authorship, or a
misuse of AI such as presenting work as original that has been generated by an AI tool or programme. These
evaluation activities will not be re-assessed.
Single Assessment
Students who opt for this will be required to take the following assessment, which will be scheduled on a single
day:
- Exam 1 (Austen's Major Novels) (45%)
- Exam 2 (Austen's Unfinished Novels and/or the Juvenilia) (45%)
- Class attendance and participation (10%)
The same re-assessment method as continuous assessment will be used.
Procedure for Reviewing Grades
On carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be
followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.
Important note for exchange students (Erasmus, etc.) on exams and other tests
Erasmus students who request to bring forward an exam or any other type of assessment activity must present the teacher with an official document from their home university justifying their request.
Use of AI
This subject allows the use of AI technologies as an integral part of the submitted work,
provided thatthe final result reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of
analysis and personal reflection.
The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii)
specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the
process and final outcome of the activity.
Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic
dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, orthe work may even be awarded a zero.
In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.
Bibliography
Jane Austen: Literary Works
[The Major Novels]
Austen, Jane. Emma. Edited by John Mullan. Oxford: Oxford World's Classics, 2022
---. Lady Susan, The Watsons, and Sanditon. Edited by Kathryn Sutherland. Oxford: Oxford World's Classics,
2021
---. Mansfield Park. Edited by James Kingley. Oxford: Oxford World's Classics, 2008.
---. Northanger Abbey, Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sanditon. Edited by John Davie and James Kingley. Oxford:
Oxford World's Classics, 2008.
---. Persuasion. Edited by James Kingley. Oxford: Oxford World's Classics, 2008.
---. Pride and Prejudice. Edited by James Kingley. Oxford: Oxford World's Classics, 2019.
---. Sense and Sensibility. Edited by John Mullan. Oxford: Oxford World's Classics, 2019.
[Juvenilia and Later Unpublished Works]
Austen, Jane. Juvenilia. Edited by Peter Sabor. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006.
---. Later Manuscripts. Edited by Janet Todd and Linda Bree. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008.
---. Teenage Writings. Edited by Kathryn Sutherland and Freya Johnston. Oxford: Oxford World's Classics,
2017.
[Personal Letters]
Austen, Jane. Selected Letters. Edited by Vivien Jones. Oxford: Oxford World's Classics, 2019.
Digitaleditions of Austen's major novels (and other works, including the letters) are freely available at
https://www.gutenberg.org
Digital versions of Austen's novels, juvenilia, letters andother related publications are freely available at
https://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/janeinfo.html#janetoc
Jane Austen: Select Biographies and Critical Studies
Austen-Leigh, James Edward. A Memoir of Jane Austen. Edited by Kathryn Sutherland. Oxford: Oxford World's
Classics, 2008.
Harman, Claire: How Jane Austen Conquered the World. Edinburgh: Canongate Books, 2009.
Kirkham, Margaret: Jane Austen, Feminism and Fiction (Second ed.). London: Athlone/Continuum, 2000.
Shields, Carol. Jane Austen. London: Phoenix, 2001.
Spence, Jon. Becoming Jane Austen: A Life. London and New York: Hambledon and London, 2003.
Tomalin, Claire. Jane Austen: A Life. (Revised & Updated Edition). London: Penguin, 2000.
Software
Moodle/UAB Virtual Campus
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |