Malaysian Literature in English
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ENGL3080 | English | 3 | 20 | Autumn Malaysia |
- Code
- ENGL3080
- School
- English
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn Malaysia
Summary
This module explores the Malaysian variety of English sometimes colloquially referred to as Manglish. However, it recognizes that the variety under study is extremely heterogeneous, comprising in fact several potential varieties with a number of different substrates. The data are taken from a number of sources in Malaysia, including advertisements, literature, radio broadcasts, television shows and plays. The module encourages students to directly engage in data collection and analysis. In so doing, the participants directly add to the existing literature on Malaysian English, while also situating their study in the general field of World Englishes. This can be done particularly via the rather more extensive work on Singapore English, which while not identical, nevertheless shares a number of features. In so doing, the students will also directly engage with the debates surrounding good English and the accompanying movement of that name, as well as exploring questions of language convergence and divergence.
Target Students
Level 3 BA English Language and Literature and BA English with Creative Writing students.
Classes
- One 2-hour seminar each week for 12 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 12 weeks
Assessment
- 70% Assignment: 3000 Words Essay
- 30% Presentation 1: 15-minute oral presentation & submission of presentation slides
Educational Aims
This module aims to provide students with a good working knowledge of Malaysian literature in English from the 1950s till present time.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of:
- the work of key practitioners in Malaysian Literature
- the main themes of Malaysian literature in English
- the formal concerns of writing in English in a second language context
- themes and preoccupations in Malaysian writings in English
Intellectual skills
- the ability to think independently while giving due weight to the arguments of others
Professional skills
- the ability to write accurately, and to present written material using conventions appropriate to literary study
- the ability to construct and communicate a sustained analysis
Transferable skills
- the ability to communicate effectively in writing
- the ability to reflect upon and assess progress
Conveners
- Dr Shivani Sivagurunathan