Module A Syllabus

In this module, students explore the ways in which the comparative study of texts can reveal resonances and dissonances between and within texts. Students consider the ways that a reimagining or reframing of an aspect of a text might mirror, align or collide with the details of another text. In their textual studies, they also explore common or disparate issues, values, assumptions or perspectives and how these are depicted. By comparing two texts, students understand how composers (authors, poets, playwrights, directors, designers and so on) are influenced by other texts, contexts and values and how this shapes meaning. Students identify, analyse and evaluate the textual features, conventions, contexts, values and purposes of two prescribed texts. As students engage with the texts they consider how their understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of both texts has been enhanced through the comparative study and how the personal, social, cultural and historical contextual knowledge that they bring to the texts influences their perspectives and shapes their own compositions. By responding imaginatively, interpretively and critically students explore and evaluate individual and common textual features, concepts and values. They further develop skills in analysing the ways that various language concepts shape a new meaning.

Questions to ask yourself after reading both texts:

• “How does a textual conversation add value for the audience as opposed to just reading one of the texts independantly”
• “what are they specific qualities of an intertextual conversation and leads to an enhanced experience for the reader”
• “to what extent does the hypertext (the second text that is written after the first text - the Meusault investigation) actually enhance the hypotext (the earlier text - The stranger).”

Module A Vocabularly:

Occidental ⇒ Relating to countries of the west and the legacy of western culture

Eurocentric ⇒ Focusing on European culture or history to the exclusion of a wider view of the world; implicitly regarding European culture as pre-eminent.

Polyphonic ⇒ The ‘poly’ means ‘many’ and ‘phonic’ means voices, thus ‘polyphonic’ means ‘many-voices’. This is langauge used to describe the nature of textual conversations where there are mutliple voices within the textual landscape.

Autochthonous ⇒ Indigenous inhabitants of land rather than descended from migrants or colonists.

Ennui ⇒ a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.

Ressonance and Dissonance ⇒ Similarities and differences between the texts respectively.