Explore UCD

UCD Home >

ENG10280

Academic Year 2026/2027

Introduction to the Novel (ENG10280)

Subject:
English
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
English, Drama & Film
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor John Brannigan
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces students to the key formal and historical approaches to the study of the novel in English. We will read and examine exemplary novels ranging from the beginnings of the novel tradition in the eighteenth century through to the reinvention of the novel in the twentieth century. The module aims to develop students’ understanding of key fictional devices and techniques as used by writers from different historical periods, and of how those writers represented the social life and customs of their times.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

- Identify and explain the main historical periods and styles in the novel in English from the eighteenth to the twentieth century
- Analyse a range of fictional devices and techniques in novels from a variety of historical periods
- Demonstrate awareness of how novels from different historical periods represent their times
- Use appropriate critical terminology to analyse formal features of the novel genre, such as narrative voice, characterisation, style, and plot
- Demonstrate key critical skills of textual analysis and contextualisation in written assessments

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will be taught through lectures and seminars. The lectures will provide an overview of the key developments in the novel form, an introduction to each of the novels studied, and will model the use of appropriate critical approaches and vocabulary. The seminars will focus on developing close reading and contextualisation skills through a combination of small group work and group discussion.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment One (c.1200) will assess students’ developing skills in critical analysis, use of appropriate critical approaches and terminology, and ability to identify and explain key fictional devices. Week 8 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment Two (2000w) will assess students’ developing understanding of historical periods and styles in the novel, including analysis and contextualisation skills. Week 14 Graded No
60
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Professor Adam Kelly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 33 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 26, 29 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.