The Literature of Edinburgh

This course explores the rich literary heritage of Edinburgh, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.  We’ll examine the work of some of the city's most celebrated local literary talents, as well as the work of writers who have found the city conducive and influential to their creativity.

We will read a wide variety of texts in prose, drama and poetry from the 19th Century to present day and consider the common themes which emerge. Our aim is to investigate, through discussion and close reading, where and how Edinburgh appears in our reading.

By the end of the course, you will have a wider understanding of the importance of place in literary study, the influence of cultural history on writing, and a deeper understanding of the issues that underpin our city.

To fully participate in this course, you will be required to borrow or buy the following books:

• Hogg, J. (2010). The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner. Oxford: OUP
• Byrne, J. (2020). Slab Boys. London: Hodder Gibson
• Doyle, A. C. (2008). Sherlock Holmes: Selected Stories. Oxford: OUP
• Stevenson, R. L. (2008). Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other Tales. Oxford: OUP
• Barker, P. (2008). Regeneration. Harmondsworth: Penguin

The poems we will discuss: Jackie Kay: ‘Threshold’, Edwin Morgan: ‘For the Opening of the Scottish Parliament’, Carol Ann Duffy: ‘Originally’, ‘Havisham’ and ‘Mrs Midas’ are widely available online.

Please do not purchase any books until the course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a computer or other device with internet connection.

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course you should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of a range of texts in the literary context of Edinburgh
• Analyse literary texts by applying close reading techniques
• Understand a sense of place in literature and how this can shape a literary text.

This course is designed to be suitable for all learners, and no previous experience studying literature is required.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support.

There are no pre-requisites to taking this course.

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented verbally and in writing. You must be comfortable learning in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course start date, unless the course is full or cancelled.