ENG 40330 and ENG 40760 Introduction to Literary Research Methods
(This course is taken by all postgraduate students in English)
Dr Porscha Fermanis (co-ordinator)
Thursdays 11am, Theatre Q
This module introduces students to the advanced methods and skills required in postgraduate studies of English. It is taught through a course of lectures and/or workshops which will address research resources, textual criticism, approaches to literature, methodology, critical writing and argumentation, methods of information retrieval and evaluation, evidence in literary scholarship, and practical issues of funding and career training.
On completing this module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a clear grasp of key issues in literary research methods including literary citation, bibliographical skills, proofreading, literary terminology, and the history of the book.
2. Understand the theory and practical implications of literary editing.
3. Retrieve information about resources, methods, and skills necessary to their chosen specialised field of postgraduate studies in English.
4. Understand the skills and techniques required for the writing of research proposals, dissertations, and other career oriented applications.
5. Identify their own needs in terms of the pursuit of advanced literary research.
Booklist:
All postgraduate scholars should attain a copy of the sixth edition of Joseph Gibaldi’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (New York: Modern Language Association, 2003), an essential guide to presenting a piece of scholarly writing. Alternatively, they may wish to purchase the second edition of the more advanced guide, Joseph Gibaldi’s MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (New York: Modern Language Association, 1998), specifically designed for graduate students and academics. In addition, the second edition of Joseph Gibaldi (ed.), Introduction to Scholarship in Modern Languages and Literatures (New York: Modern Language Association, 1992), presents a collection of essays addressing the development and directions of modern literary study.
