I´m new to the OU and I´m starting EA300 in October. What´s the best way to prepare for this course? I have all the material and the set books.
Thanks in advance,
Vicky
mhansen - Fri, 27/08/2010 - 15:52
Hi Vicky and welcome to the OU,
I haven´t studied EA300 - the first presentation was immediately after I finished my BA(Hons) - but it is definitely on my list of courses to go back and pick up at some point.
In terms of getting started, the same rule applies for all the Literature courses, in my opinion - read the set books. Not necessarily all of them (I realise there are a lot for this course), especially if there are sections where you can choose to focus on one text or another. But certainly get the first 2 or 3 read - this will allow you to get started on the materials, then the other texts can become bedtime/relaxation reading while you study earlier parts of the course.
As you start out, I would also look at the TMAs. Make a note of which parts of the course are covered for TMA01 and what the question is asking. This lets you mark where your first batch of reading will stop and also lets you think about making notes on anything you think relevant to the question. I find working through a course in TMA-sized chunks works best for me, allowing me to think about one question at a time as well as relate what I am currently reading back to what I have previously covered.
HTH and good luck,
Moira.x
Anne Cleave - Fri, 10/06/2011 - 18:17
I'm just about to sit my exam for AA316 19th-C Lit. and would certainly recommend reading as many of the set texts as possible (I managed to read all 12 of the set books for AA316 during the summer before the module began and what a bonus it was!) It's good to read well in advance since when you come back to the books during the course of the module lots of things are very familiar and fall into place. I'd also suggest careful reading of the TMA booklet and taking note of the topics you will need to address. Finally, as this course has an ECA rather than an exam, it would be useful to keep a note of the subject of the ECA close to you while you are reading so that you can make notes about what you think will be significant. For example, during reading for AA316 I should have noted things like narrative technique, themes, characterisation etc., and had to work extra hard to cover this during the module. OK there were 12 quite large novels to take on board as well as three pretty hefty course books and I'm not sure that EA300 has quite so much reading but every opportunity to read through all the materials that come in the pack before actual start of module can only be a bonus - a big one.
Karen Spencer - Tue, 06/09/2011 - 16:46
Hi everyone!
I have studied at level 3 previously though not with the OU. I am particularly interested in the childhood and social aspects of the course (as well as the literature)
Although the course didn't have any prior study requirements, having now received the course materials I am concerned that my lack of previous study of literature courses will seriously hinder me. I am really doubting that an O'level in Eng. Lit. will be of any benefit. Any advise, I am aware that I can withdraw before the course starts but really wanted to do the course as I work with children and young people.
Karen
Mercedes Rosales - Wed, 21/09/2011 - 13:46
Hello there,
I´m new to the OU and I´m starting EA300 in October. It is my first course at OU. I went to the university in Spain and we did not write down an essay. What´s the best way to prepare an essay for this course? I have all the material and the set books.
Hi Vicky and welcome to the OU,
I haven´t studied EA300 - the first presentation was immediately after I finished my BA(Hons) - but it is definitely on my list of courses to go back and pick up at some point.
In terms of getting started, the same rule applies for all the Literature courses, in my opinion - read the set books. Not necessarily all of them (I realise there are a lot for this course), especially if there are sections where you can choose to focus on one text or another. But certainly get the first 2 or 3 read - this will allow you to get started on the materials, then the other texts can become bedtime/relaxation reading while you study earlier parts of the course.
As you start out, I would also look at the TMAs. Make a note of which parts of the course are covered for TMA01 and what the question is asking. This lets you mark where your first batch of reading will stop and also lets you think about making notes on anything you think relevant to the question. I find working through a course in TMA-sized chunks works best for me, allowing me to think about one question at a time as well as relate what I am currently reading back to what I have previously covered.
HTH and good luck,
Moira.x
I'm just about to sit my exam for AA316 19th-C Lit. and would certainly recommend reading as many of the set texts as possible (I managed to read all 12 of the set books for AA316 during the summer before the module began and what a bonus it was!) It's good to read well in advance since when you come back to the books during the course of the module lots of things are very familiar and fall into place. I'd also suggest careful reading of the TMA booklet and taking note of the topics you will need to address. Finally, as this course has an ECA rather than an exam, it would be useful to keep a note of the subject of the ECA close to you while you are reading so that you can make notes about what you think will be significant. For example, during reading for AA316 I should have noted things like narrative technique, themes, characterisation etc., and had to work extra hard to cover this during the module. OK there were 12 quite large novels to take on board as well as three pretty hefty course books and I'm not sure that EA300 has quite so much reading but every opportunity to read through all the materials that come in the pack before actual start of module can only be a bonus - a big one.
Hi everyone!
I have studied at level 3 previously though not with the OU. I am particularly interested in the childhood and social aspects of the course (as well as the literature)
Although the course didn't have any prior study requirements, having now received the course materials I am concerned that my lack of previous study of literature courses will seriously hinder me. I am really doubting that an O'level in Eng. Lit. will be of any benefit. Any advise, I am aware that I can withdraw before the course starts but really wanted to do the course as I work with children and young people.
Karen
Hello there,
I´m new to the OU and I´m starting EA300 in October. It is my first course at OU. I went to the university in Spain and we did not write down an essay. What´s the best way to prepare an essay for this course? I have all the material and the set books.
Thanks in advance,
Mercedes