This book examines the connections and conversations between women writers from the twentieth century and the twenty-first century. The essays consider the ways in which twenty-first-century women writers look back and respond to their predecessors within the field of contemporary women’s writing. The book looks back to the foundations of contemporary women’s writing and also considers how this category may be defined in future decades. We ask how writers and readers have interpreted ‘the contemporary’, a moving target and an often-contentious term, especially in light of feminist theory and criticism of the late twentieth century. Writing about the relationships between women’s writings is an always-vital, ongoing political project with a rich history. These essays argue that establishing and defining the contemporary is, for women writers, another ongoing political project to which this collection of essays aims, in part, to contribute.

This book offers new insights on socially and culturally engaged Gothic ghost stories by twentieth century and contemporary female writers; including Shirley Jackson, Angela Carter, Toni Morrison, Ali Smith, Susan Hill, Catherine Lim, Kate Mosse, Daphne du Maurier, Helen Dunmore, Michele Roberts, and Zheng Cho. Through the ghostly body, possessions and visitations, women's ghost stories expose links between the political and personal, genocides and domestic tyrannies, providing unceasing reminders of violence and violations. Women, like ghosts, have historically lurked in the background, incarcerated in domestic spaces and roles by familial and hereditary norms. They have been disenfranchised legally and politically, sold on dreams of romance and domesticity. Like unquiet spirits that cannot be silenced, women's ghost stories speak the unspeakable, revealing these contradictions and oppressions. Wisker's book demonstrates that in terms of women's ghost stories, there is much to point the spectral finger at and much to speak out about.

This is an up-to-date readers guide to Atwood's contemporary classic covering contexts, themes and criticism. Margaret Atwood's popular dystopian novel "A Handmaid's Tale", engages the reader with a broad range of issues relating to power, gender and religious politics. This guide provides an overview of the key critical debates and interpretations of the novel and encourages you to engage with key questions and readings in your reading of the text. It includes discussion of key themes and concepts including: representation of women's roles, gender, sexuality and power; language, style and form; dystopias and genre fictions; and, power, control and religious fundamentalism. Combining helpful guidance on reading Atwood's text with overviews of significant stylistic and thematic issues and an introduction to criticism, this is an ideal companion to reading and studying "A Handmaid's Tale". "Continuum Reader's Guides" are clear, concise and accessible introductions to key texts in literature and philosophy. Each book explores the themes, context, criticism and influence of key works, providing a practical introduction to close reading, guiding students towards a thorough understanding of the text. They provide an essential, up-to-date resource, ideal for undergraduate students.

This book contains a lively and wide ranging collection of critical essays on Black women's writing from Afro-American, African, South African, British and Caribbean novelists, poets, short story writers and a dramatist. The contributors are black and white, female and male, academics and readers who chart their engagement with and enjoyment of the texts of some of the key figures in black women's writing across several continents.

Margaret Atwood is an internationally renowned, highly versatile author whose work creatively explores what it means to be human through genres ranging from feminist fable to science fiction and Gothic romance. In this timely new study, Gina Wisker reassesses Atwood's entire fictional output to date, providing both original analysis and a lively overview of the criticism surrounding her work. Margaret Atwood: An Introduction to Critical Views of Her Fiction: - Covers all of Atwood's novels as well as her short stories. - Surveys the critical reception of her fiction and the fascinating debates developed by key Atwood critics. - Explores the main approaches to reading Atwood's work and examines issues such as her interventions in genre writing and ecology, as well as her feminism, post-feminism and narrative usage, both conventional and experimental. Concise and approachable, this is an ideal volume for anyone studying the fiction of this major contemporary writer.

This text explores a range of strategies, both institutional and individual, which have been developed by academic and support staff, to foster the kind of atmosphere, facilities and attitudes in relation to learning which support systems.

Essays illustrating the range and diversity of post-1970 British women writers. Despite the enduring popularity of contemporary women's writing, British women writers have received scant critical attention. They tend to be overshadowed by their American counterparts in the media and have come to be represented within the academy almost exclusively by Angela Carter and Jeanette Winterson. This collection celebrates the range and diversity of contemporary (post-1970) British women writers. It challenges misconceptions about the natureand scope of fiction by women writers working in Britain - commonly dismissed as parochial, insular, dreary and domestic - and seeks to expand conventional definitions of "British" by exploring how issues of nationality intersectwith gender, class, race and sexuality. Writers covered include Pat Barker, A.L. Kennedy, Maggie Gee, Rukhsana Ahmad, Joan Riley, Jennifer Johnston, Ellen Galford, Susan Hill, Fay Weldon, Emma Tennant, and Helen Fielding. Contributors: DAVID ELLIS, CLARE HANSON, MAROULA JOANNOU, PAULINA PALMER, EMMA PARKER, FELICITY ROSSLYN, CHRISTIANE SCHLOTE, JOHN SEARS, ELUNED SUMMERS-BREMNER, IMELDA WHELEHAN, GINA WISKER.

Focuses on research conducted into the experiences of rural students in South Africa; foregrounding decolonial perspectives on their negotiation of the transition and access to higher education - a significantly under researched field Complex issues of international collaborative research are foregrounded and reflected upon critically, highlighting the potential for re-colonisation when research is funded by the Global North. This will make it useful for students and researchers studying this area. Particularly those in education, international development and social justice. Is methodologically innovative - the use of participatory research with students as co-researchers and co-researchers documenting their own learning experiences and transitions to university using a variety of media and made digital documentaries

This lively and rigorous book provides guidance on planning and conducting postgraduate research. Divided into four parts, each of which looks at a different stage of the process, it covers everything from choosing a research area and selecting appropriate methodologies to analysing data and learning from feedback. Chapters contain both active and reflective tasks to help readers develop the skills needed to produce a high-quality dissertation or thesis and offer supportive advice on establishing successful working relationships with supervisors and peers. Clear and accessible in its approach, this book is an indispensable introduction to successful research for postgraduates of all disciplines.

Working One-to-One with Students is written for Higher Education academics, adjuncts, teaching assistants and research students who are looking for guidance inside and outside the classroom. This book is a jargon-free, practical guide to improving one-to-one teaching, covering a wide range of teaching contexts, including mentoring students and staff, supervising dissertations and how to approach informal meetings outside of lectures. Written in an engaging, accessible style and grounded in experience, this book offers a combination of practical advice backed by relevant learning theory. Featuring a wealth of case studies and useful resources, the book covers areas including: Au Supporting students Au Encouraging independent learning Mentoring coaching and personal tutoring Au Developing peer groups and buddying programmes Au Dealing with diversity, difficult students and ethical dilemmas Au supervising the undergraduate dissertation Supervising postgraduates in the arts, social sciences and sciences. Thisbook is a short, snappy, practical guide that covers this key element of a lecturerƒ?Ts work. In the spirit of the series (KEY GUIDES FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING in HIGHER EDUCATION) this book covers relevant theory that effectively informs practice.

This text explores a range of strategies, both institutional and individual, which have been developed by academic and support staff, to foster the kind of atmosphere, facilities and attitudes in relation to learning which support systems.

This book contains a lively and wide ranging collection of critical essays on Black women's writing from Afro-American, African, South African, British and Caribbean novelists, poets, short story writers and a dramatist. The contributors are black and white, female and male, academics and readers who chart their engagement with and enjoyment of the texts of some of the key figures in black women's writing across several continents.

This unique and timely book focuses on research conducted into the experiences of students from rural backgrounds in South Africa: foregrounding decolonial perspectives on their negotiation of access and transitions to higher education.

This book highlights not only the challenges of coming from a rural background against the historical backdrop of apartheid and ongoing colonialism, but also shows the immense assets that students from rural areas bring into higher education. Through detailed narratives created by student co-researchers, the book charts early experiences in rural communities, negotiations of transitions to university and, in many cases, to urban life and students’ subsequent journeys through higher education spaces and curricula.

The book will be of significant interest and value to those engaged in rurality research across diverse settings, those interested in the South African higher education context and higher education more widely. Its innovative, participatory methodology will be invaluable to researchers seeking to conduct collaborative research that draws on decolonising approaches.

Table of Contents

1. The Historical Context of Higher Education in South Africa 2. Coloniality, Decoloniality, Epistemicide and Curricular Justice 3. Transitioning into and through Higher Education in South Africa: Contexts and Concepts 4. Towards a Participatory and Decolonising Methodology 5. Negotiations of Transitions to University: Figured Worlds and Identity Transformations 6. Cultural Values and Practices: From Rural Communities to Higher Education 7. Place, Funds of Knowledge and Investment in Language 8. Experiencing Higher Education Learning, Teaching and Curricula 9. The Dimensions and Complexities of Ruralities 10. International Collaborations: Opportunities and Tensions 11. ‘Sankofa’: Looking back, moving forward

Working One-to-One with Students is written for Higher Education academics, adjuncts, teaching assistants and research students who are looking for guidance inside and outside the classroom. This book is a jargon-free, practical guide to improving one-to-one teaching, covering a wide range of teaching contexts, including mentoring students and staff, supervising dissertations and how to approach informal meetings outside of lectures. Written in an engaging, accessible style and grounded in experience, this book offers a combination of practical advice backed by relevant learning theory. Featuring a wealth of case studies and useful resources, the book covers areas including: Au Supporting students Au Encouraging independent learning Mentoring coaching and personal tutoring Au Developing peer groups and buddying programmes Au Dealing with diversity, difficult students and ethical dilemmas Au supervising the undergraduate dissertation Supervising postgraduates in the arts, social sciences and sciences. Thisbook is a short, snappy, practical guide that covers this key element of a lecturerƒ?Ts work. In the spirit of the series (KEY GUIDES FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING in HIGHER EDUCATION) this book covers relevant theory that effectively informs practice.

This is a comprehensive guide to planning and producing high-quality dissertations, written assignments and project reports at undergraduate level. It supports students of all disciplines through each stage of the research process, from drafting questions and reviewing the literature through to collecting data and presenting their work. It provides practical guidance on common problems, including writer's block and managing deadlines, and contextualises this with examples of real students' experience of research. This text will be invaluable to undergraduate students undertaking academic research in all subject areas. New to this Edition: - Features new and updated content on the internet and critical thinking, and analytical skills in relation to developing and following through with a research agenda

This is an up-to-date readers guide to Atwood's contemporary classic covering contexts, themes and criticism. Margaret Atwood's popular dystopian novel "A Handmaid's Tale", engages the reader with a broad range of issues relating to power, gender and religious politics. This guide provides an overview of the key critical debates and interpretations of the novel and encourages you to engage with key questions and readings in your reading of the text. It includes discussion of key themes and concepts including: representation of women's roles, gender, sexuality and power; language, style and form; dystopias and genre fictions; and, power, control and religious fundamentalism. Combining helpful guidance on reading Atwood's text with overviews of significant stylistic and thematic issues and an introduction to criticism, this is an ideal companion to reading and studying "A Handmaid's Tale". "Continuum Reader's Guides" are clear, concise and accessible introductions to key texts in literature and philosophy. Each book explores the themes, context, criticism and influence of key works, providing a practical introduction to close reading, guiding students towards a thorough understanding of the text. They provide an essential, up-to-date resource, ideal for undergraduate students.

A student guide to this popular literary genre. Contains tips and further reading for successful study at undergraduate level. A series of introductory books, the Genre Series offers students, writers and academics a window into some of the most popular topics, styles and periods in literature. Designed to be user-friendly, each volume shares the same structure, including: A broad definition of the genre and its essential elements A timeline of historical developments Critical concerns to bear in mind while reading Detailed readings of several key texts In-depth analysis of major themes and issues Signposts for further study A summary of the most important criticism in the field A glossary of terms An annotated, critical reading list. Authors covered in this volume include William Peter Blatty, Ira Levine, Bram Stoker, Shirley Jackson, Angela Carter, Mary Shelley, Stephen King, Anne Rice and Washington Irving.

Key Concepts in Postcolonial Literature provides an overview of the main themes, issues and critical perspectives that have had the greatest effect on postcolonial literatures. Discussing historical, cultural and contextual background, it contains selected work of some of the major writers from this period.

This engaging book outlines effective strategies for supervising students on a wide variety of research projects, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level. It covers each stage of the research journey and provides guidance on working with students to define research topics, select appropriate methodologies, write up theses and prepare for the viva. It also supports supervisors in establishing and maintaining good supervisory practices, and shows how supervisors can help students to help themselves. This will be essential reading for supervisors of undergraduate or postgraduate research projects, dissertations and theses. It is also an ideal resource for student researchers looking to get the most out of their relationship with their supervisor. New to this Edition: - New content on cross-cultural supervision, online distance supervision and sustaining research communities and networks

This comprehensive handbook will guide readers through the process of publishing their research. It helps readers to establish successful writing practices and habits which will enable them to write well, complete their work to a high standard and have their work published. Drawing on her experience as a writer, editor and supervisor, Gina Wisker covers the practicalities of writing and provides tried-and-tested techniques for managing time, overcoming writer's block and developing a confident academic voice. This book is ideal for postgraduates, academics, researchers and professionals wishing to write effectively and share their work with others through academic publication.