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ENG20780

Academic Year 2026/2027

Critical Theory (ENG20780)

Subject:
English
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
English, Drama & Film
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor Adam Kelly
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This 10-credit module introduces students to key theoretical debates and issues in the Humanities, particularly pertaining to the study of language and literature. It demands careful reading of theoretical texts and close attention to a series of difficult concepts, but in return this module repays students’ efforts by providing an indispensable grounding in the foundational vocabularies and conceptual tools of the most exciting and progressive areas of critical and cultural studies. The module will have a special emphasis on applying the insights of critical theory to the analysis of contemporary political and ethical issues, as well as to literary and cultural texts.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Identify the key theoretical debates and issues as addressed in readings, lectures and workshops.
- Analyse the potential uses and applications of particular theoretical approaches to language, culture, and literature.
- Begin to formulate a sense of their own theoretical assumptions and predilections with regard to issues in the humanities, in culture and in society more broadly.
- Engage in informed class discussion about the theoretical concepts and issues introduced in the module.
- Analyse and compare theoretical texts and approaches, identify particular theoretical approaches and concepts in literary and cultural criticism and commentary, and use this theoretical toolbox to enlarge and enrich their understanding and analysis of literary and cultural texts.

Indicative Module Content:

Theoretical texts on the subjects of Marxism, Technology, Race, Postcolonialism, Environmental Humanities, Feminism, Queer Theory, Masculinities, and Disability Studies.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Competent

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Advanced Beginner

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Advanced Beginner

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Advanced Beginner

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Competent

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Advanced Beginner

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Competent

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Advanced Beginner

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

11
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

133
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is taught through two lectures and one workshop (3 contact hour per week).
- Lectures may include active/task-based learning
- Workshops may include guided discussion, peer and group work, case-based learning, debates, presentations
The module is assessed through two critical worksheets, a creative reflection task, and an in-person exam.

AI is addressed directly as a topic on this module, and students are expected and encouraged to consider it from a critical perspective, including its social, economic, and environmental impacts. In terms of learning and assessment, if students choose to use AI then it should be strictly limited to planning and research. All submissions for credit should be authored entirely by the student.

A proportion of written assignments in each module in the School of English, Drama and Film are subject to moderation, meaning they undergo a second layer of review by another grader. In the case of Critical Theory, this is usually the module coordinator. This is to promote consistency within and between modules in the same level and discipline.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ENG20400 - Critical Theory


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Worksheet 1 - short writing exercises Week 4 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Worksheet 2 - short writing exercises Week 8 Graded No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): 2-hour exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
50
 No
Reflective Assignment: A creative reflection on your learning on the module. Week 10 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
 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
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Small group tutors mark the two worksheets, moderated by the module coordinator, and offer individual written feedback to students. Small group tutors offer individual written feedback to students on creative reflection task. Small group tutors offer group advisory session to students prior to the final exam. Small group tutors mark the final exam, moderated by the module coordinator.

Name Role
Dr Treasa De Loughry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Sharae Deckard Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Diretnan Dikwal-Bot Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Katherine Fama Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Clare Hayes-Brady Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Pedzisai Maedza Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Anne Mulhall Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Maria Mulvany Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Cormac O'Brien Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Maria Stuart Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mathieu Bokestael Tutor
Alessandro Combina Tutor
Dara Downey Tutor
Ms Louise Walsh Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 2 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 4 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 5 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 6 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 7 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 8 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 9 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 10 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 11 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 12 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 13 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 11:00 - 11:50
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