CO5002 The Contemporary Canon: Why Books Sell

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof M A Hutton

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The module analyses the meaning of the word 'contemporary' as applied to literary texts, exploring questions such as: does 'contemporary' signify '10 years ago' or '10 months ago'? Who decides (e.g. which institutions and market forces)? Does this differ from one European country to another? From one genre to another? Different theories of canon-formation are assessed in terms of their viability vis-Ë-vis contemporary literature: can there be a truly contemporary canon? Is world literature linked to canon formation? What is the role of publishing houses, retailers, literary prizes, the internet, social media and media scandals in constructing 'today's canon'? The module is based on at least three disciplines, including but not limited to Arabic, French, German, Italian, Persian, Russian, Spanish, and combines theoretical sessions with a number of case studies.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 hours (lectures and seminars)

Scheduled learning hours

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

178

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.