Reading List

Single Honours students take all these modules. Joint Honours students can view their module choices by selecting the relevant course from the Prospectus.

Q31103 Language and Context

Although the modules in English Language and Applied Linguistics are not themselves modules in Linguistics, they draw on some of the insights of Linguistics in their description of English. In preparation for these please read:

For students with A-Level English Language:

• Yule, G. The Study of Language, 3rd edn, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN 0521543207.

For students without A-level English Language:

• Mullany, L. and Stockwell P. Introducing English Language: A Resource Book for Students,  London: Routledge, 2010. 
• Yule, G. The Study of Language, 3rd edn, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN 0521543207.  

Q31314 Studying Literature

Students who will take Studying Modern Literature should read the following before the start of the course. However, it is not essential to buy these books.

• Robert Eaglestone, Doing English: A Guide for Literature Students (London: Routledge, 2002)
• David Amigoni and Julie Sanders, Get Set for English Literature (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2003)
• Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle, An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory (Harlow: Pearson, 2004)
• Tory Young, Studying English Literature: A Practical Guide (Cambridge University Press, 2008).

Q31207 Beginnings of English

In this module you will be introduced to some of the earliest texts in the English language, as well as to comparative medieval literature. The stress of this module is on understanding the literary and linguistic concepts of the Middle Ages and the ways in which this formed identities (as for example the idea of English vs Scots), the ways in which we read and the reasons as to why we write and speak English as we do today.

You will be given a handbook with readings on arrival, but you should buy the following books, which are the basic set of books for the first two years of your study of medieval language and literature:

• Richard North and Joe Allard eds., Beowulf and Other Stories. Pearson 2007.
• Thorlac Turville-Petre, Reading Middle English Literature. Blackwell 2006.
• John Burrow and Thorlac Turville-Petre, A Book of Middle English. Blackwell 2005.
• Richard Marsden, The Cambridge Old English Reader. Cambridge University Press 2004.
• Egils Saga: This Old Norse Saga has an 'English' slant. It has been variously translated, but we prefer Christine Fell's translation. The Penguin edition, however, is also good and is more accessible.

You should also consult either:

• Charles Barber, The English Language: A Historical Introduction, Canto 2000.

or

• David Crystal, The Stories of English, Penguin 2005.

Q31501 Introduction to Drama

Most of the required reading for this module is reproduced in a reader provided by the School at the beginning of the Autumn Semester.

However, you will be required to buy a copy of

• The Norton Anthology of English Literature, volume one, eighth edition (Norton, 2006)

and

• Macbeth, ed. by Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen (Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009)

During the Introduction to Drama module you will be studying texts including the Second Shepherds Play, Doctor Faustus, The Rover, and The Beggar's Opera. Before you arrive you may want to familiarize yourself with these texts and note how they fit into the history of English literature.

Some useful introductory reading might include the following:

• Beckerman, B, Theatrical Presentation, Routledge, 1990
• Bennett, S, Theatrical Audiences, Routledge, 1990
• Shepherd, S & Wallis, M, Drama/Theatre/Performance, Routledge, 2004
• Wallis, M & Shepherd, S, Studying Plays, Arnold 1998

Q31701 Beginning Creative Writing

• John Gardner, The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers, New York: Vintage, 1991.
• The Enthusiast Field Guide to Poetry, Quercus 2007. The author is given as 'The Enthusiast'.

Q31401 Academic Community

This is a core module for Single Honours students. There is no specific reading in preparation for this module, but it would be helpful to look at the University Pathways Resource which will introduce you to a range of key skills (starting with how to get to lectures....!)

Interviews with staff discussing English Studies, as well as a roundtable discussion, are also available as podcasts. 

Q3107S The Viking World

Students on the Single-Honours English Studies and Language and Literature programmes will have the opportunity to study this module, which offers an introduction to the period 700-1200 in which Viking raiders and settlers had a large and lasting impact on Europe and especially the British Isles. The module is team-taught between the School of English, School of History and Archaeology. No previous knowledge of history or archaeology is necessary.

In preparation for this module, please read one of these two books:

• Roesdahl, Else, The Vikings (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1998)
• Jones, Gwyn, A History of the Vikings (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2001)

Q3108S Regional Writers

There is no Pre-reading for this module 

Q3109S Shakespeare’s Histories: Critical Approaches

There is no Pre-reading for this module

 

General Reading for English Studies

For useful advice on reading, note-taking and writing essays:

• Chambers, E. and Northledge A., The Arts Good Study Guide. Open University Worldwide: 2nd ed. (18 Feb 2008).

You should read at least one general history of English literature. For example, you might consider reading one of the following:

• Alexander, M, A History of English Literature, Macmillan, 2000
• Carter, R & McRae, J, The Routledge History of Literature in English: Britain and Ireland, London: Routledge, 2nd edn, 2001 (this text also focuses on language issues)
• Sanders, A, The Short Oxford History of English Literature, Oxford, 2nd edn, 2000

You might find it helpful to read an introduction to literary theory. For example:

• Culler, Jonathan, Literary Theory: a Very Short Introduction, OUP, Oxford, 2000

or

• Eagleton, Terry, Literary Theory: An Introduction, Oxford: Blackwells, 2003

Although the following are not studied on any particular module, reading them and making yourself familiar with their contents will make your study of English literature and language much more rewarding. Academic staff will assume that you are familiar with this material, and it will be your responsibility to chase up references that you don't understand.

• The Bible, eds. R. Carroll and S. Prickett, Oxford World's Classics, 2008. (Begin with the Gospel of Mark, Genesis, Exodus, and Revelation)
• Roger Lancelyn Green (ed), Tales of Greek Heroes, Harmondsworth, Puffin, 2010
• Roger Lancelyn Green (ed), The Tale of Troy, Harmondsworth, Puffin, 1994
• David Crystal, Rediscovering Grammar, London: Pearson Longman 2004
• Norman Davies, The Isles: A History, Oxford, OUP, 2000
• You might also find it useful to own a map of Great Britain and Ireland: Michelin have one available on Amazon for £1.99.

You would also find it useful to have a copy of:

• Gary Taylor, John Jowett et al (eds), William Shakespeare: The Complete Works Second Edition ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
  
  

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