A special author

This research-led advanced interactive seminar is for undergraduates in Years 3 or 4, and warmly welcomes any SOAS, intercollegiate and exchange students who have an interdisciplinary interest in the South African-Australian Nobel prize-winner’s work.

The focus draws on very recent research: the exhibition, Scenes from the South, curated by Kai Easton and David Attwell in collaboration with Amazwi South African Museum of Literature and the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin (2020) to mark Coetzee’s 80th birthday, and the collection, J. M. Coetzee & the Archive: Fiction, Theory and Autobiography , edited by Marc Farrant, Kai Easton and Hermann Wittenberg (Bloomsbury, 2021).

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

On successful completion of this module students will be able to

• Demonstrate in-depth critical knowledge of the author selected, and of the history of the reception of their work.
• Demonstrate reading of most of their work across genres.
• Challenge one’s own preconceptions about their work and its historical and conceptual contexts.
• Demonstrate the ability to devise, structure, pursue and realise an independent research project, following detailed advice from your module tutor.

Workload

This module will be taught over 10 weeks with a 2-hour seminar/tutorial classroom contact per week.

Method of assessment

• Notebook (worth 30% of marks)
• Essay of 4,000 words (worth 50%)
• Regular attendance and seminar participation (worth 20%)

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules