World Making (Q9133)

30 credits, Level 4

Spring teaching

How does literature generate worlds? On this module, you’ll explore the foundational role literature plays in imagining and reimagining the world.

From the beginnings of literature in English to the rise of globalisation, this was a period of profound change that continues to shape our world. As writers, readers and audiences, women and men responded to such change in dazzlingly creative ways.

This involved reconsidering the idea of the world itself in a new form, alongisde:

  • faith
  • bodies
  • race
  • gender and desire
  • literature.

Writers engaged in world-making through a wide range of writing, including:

  • lyric poetry
  • fantasy
  • romance
  • travel and colonial writing
  • utopian fiction
  • the beginnings of the novel.

As we read, we’ll ask how, why and for whom they generated such worlds. We’ll consider how medieval stories shape modern ways of understanding the self. We’ll also address how early modern travel writing influences later understandings of race, and the ways in which adventure literature from the past still matters for the literature we read today.

Teaching

25%: Lecture
30%: Practical (Workshop)
45%: Seminar

Assessment

30%: Practical (Portfolio)
70%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 44 hours of contact time and about 256 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: