DI5453 Practical Criticism

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

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.

Availability restrictions

Not available as an optional module for any other programme, except with the Permission of the Head of School.

Planned timetable

2-5 Thursday

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

Module coordinator

Prof G R Hopps

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

Module Staff

Dr G Hopps

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

Module description

This module exposes students to a multiplicity of forms and themes, with an emphasis on the practice of close reading. After some preliminary instruction, the majority of class time is devoted to communal acts of close reading, which seek to foster habits of sustained aesthetic attention and to enhance analytical skills. The particular works studied in the module vary from semester to semester and are determined by the disciplinary specialism of the course tutor.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 60%, 3-hour Written Examination = 40%

Re-assessment

Where a student fails the assessment for a taught module, one or more such components of coursework originally graded at less than 7 may be revised and resubmitted. The weighted-mean grade for reassessed components will be added to the weighted-mean grade for original (i.e first) submission-components. This new overall grade will be capped at 7.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3-hour seminar (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

33

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

Guided independent study hours

270

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • Intended Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to§demonstrate proven and developing competencies in critically engaging with, and articulating, the practices of close reading and how such practices can extend to notions of intersections between the arts, reading, and broader theological, philosophical, and socio-historical concerns. § trace links between concepts and interpretative frameworks belonging to different fields of intellectual concern. § refine and develop skills of systematic analysis, interpretation, and inquiry of texts and other resources.§demonstrate skills of independent research, reflection, and communication throughin-class participation and the completion of oral and written assignments. § exhibit personal responsibility and accountability in meeting agreed deadlines and all module assignments.