Fresher's Subject Guide 2013

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    IN THIS DAY AND AGE , EDUCATION HAS BECOMEMORE EXPENSIVE. READ OUR FRESHERS READINGLIST TO FIND OUT WHICH BOOKS ARE WORTH YOURTIME , MONEY, AND ENERGYAND WHICH ARE BESTLEFT ALONE .

    Brought to you by

    THE UNDERGRADUATE UNIVERSITY OF EXETERS ONLY INTERDISCIPLINARY ACADEMIC JOURNAL

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    CONTENTS

    ANCIENT HISTORY & CLASSICS 4

    BUSINESS & ECONOMICS6

    ENGLISH & FILM7

    MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES10

    MODERN LANGUAGES1 2

    LAW9

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    T IPS FOR THOSE BEGINNING LATIN L E A R N Y O U R P R I N C I P A L P A R T S :

    Latin verbs have four partsfrom which you are able to determine how a verb is conjugated, and

    how to easily distinguish between the different tenses.

    K N O W H O W T O D E C L I N E A N O U N : many modern languagescentre upon a case system such as German, Finnish and Czech

    and Latin is no different. There are six cases, plus one irregular case,and five declensions, which means that unfortunately nouns can havemany different forms. Its imperative to learn the declension tables

    since this is how the language essentially functions.

    L E A R N S E N T E N C E C O N S T R U C T I O N S : knowing how certainconstructions e.g. ut/ne clauses are formed and translated is

    similarly important, since many sentences appear similar but aretranslated very differently.

    P A R T I C I P L E S A N D I N F I N I T I V E S : unlike English, which just hastwo infinitives (i.e. sit and to sit), Latin has many; similarly, Latin hasnumerous participles which can be awkward to translate. However, thetwo are sometimes formed in a similar manner, which simplifies

    matters.

    P R A C T I S E O F T E N B U T N O T I N T E N S E L Y : one of the keys tolearning languages is to practise them regularly but not for hours at atime, and since Latin is a dead language it is especially important torevise some grammar or translate a few sentences on a regular basis.By a cruel twist of fate, dead languages are often the hardest to learn

    and easiest to forget.

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    BUSINESS & ECONOMICS JESSICA BURGESS

    I found that most the reading that benefited my studies washidden within the reading lists themselves. These books shouldsee you beyond your first year of study as well as help prove a

    fundamental basis for economic debate.

    BEE1030 & 1031 -MACROECONOMICS I & I IM A C R O E C O N O M I C S : A E U R O P E A N P R O S P E C T I V E OLIVER BLANCHARDMy economics bible has to be this book. The lectures followthe structure of this text, which makes it ideal to supportwhat you are learning, and provides you with a thoroughbreakdown of everything you learn in your first year - whichis quite valuable when it comes to revision time!

    S T A T I S T I C S F O R B U S I N E S S A N DE C O N O M I C S (by our very own BusinessSchool lecturer)CARLOS CORTINHAS Although I wouldnt recommend reading thisbook cover to cover as it is rather hefty, itcertainly helped after un-nerving lectures.As a mathematical comfort to hardermodules, I would recommend this as aninvestment to those wary of themathematical side of their course for allyears.FOR THE ANALYTICALTHINKERS: T H E W E A L T H O F N A T I O N S ADAMSMITH If you are more analytical and enjoy

    investigating the roots of economic theory,you may also wish to attempt one (or all) ofthe books by Adam Smith. The languagestyle is old English - which can bechallenging - but you do get a lot of creditfor having a contextual understanding ofhis thinking for comparison or discussion.The first book of the series is one of themost useful as it covers commonly used

    labour theories that you may already befamiliar with - invaluable for quoting inexams or otherwise.

    FOR THE CONTROVERSIALTHINKERS: C O M M U N I S T M A N I F E S T O KARL MARX & FRIEDRICHENGELS Alternatively, if you are quite a controversial thinker and wantto critically read historical scriptures, look no further than theCommunist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Itexplains Marx thinking towards communism and capitalism,including its critiques and his solutions that are regularlyreferred to. Some elements of the book highlighted failures ofcapitalism - rather than communism working - something that

    drives you to question the basis of society today. Aninteresting read for those with critical analysis in mind.

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    ENGLISH & FILM JEMIMA HUBBERSTEY & CHERRIE KWOK & EDWARD SCOTT

    EAS1037 THE NOVELA S P E C T S O F T H E N O V E L E.M. FORSTER This is a delightfully engaging and accessible read; it wasoriginally composed as a series of lectures for students atCambridge. Forster takes away the demon of chronology andlooks at the novel form itself, examining plot, fantasy, rhythmand people.

    A R O O M O F O N E S O W N VIRGINIA WOOLFIn this famous work, Woolf examines the place of women in

    society, and the restrictions imposed on those who wish to write.Particularly when studying The Waves, it is interesting tocompare her portrayals of authors and what it means to be agreat writer. Another influential essay worth reading by VirginiaWoolf is Mr Bennet and Mrs Brown.

    B R I T A N N I A R U L E S T H E W A V E S JANE MARCUS This is a very interesting study that examines The Wavesfrom a

    postcolonial perspective, which really sheds new light on the wayin which one can read this modernist text.

    A R E Y O U M Y M O T H E R ? ALISON BECHDELI ts a shame Bechdels graphic novel Fun Home is left until lastin the module. (Read it in your own time: you wont regret it). Ifyou love Bechdels kaleidoscopically symbolic Fun Home, thenyou will be a fan ofAre You My Mother? a sequel which

    focuses on Bechdels convoluted relationship with her mother.This deliciously self-critical autobiographical graphic novel payshomage to the bold theories of Freud and Lacan

    psychoanalysis, autobiography, and good writing - all in one!

    EAS1035 BEGINNINGS: ENGLISHLITERATURE BEFORE1800O N E F L E S H : P A R A D I S A L M A R R I A G E A N DS E X U A L R E L A T I O N S I N T H E A G E O FM I L T O N JAMES GRANTHAMTURNER This book studies the interplay of various

    hermeneutic, ideological, and artistic problemsinherent in the application of Genesis tosexuality, which provides an interesting outlookin considering the relationship between Adamand Eve within Paradise Lost.

    S I R G A W A I N A N D T H E G R E E N K N I G H TA N D F R E N C H A R T H U R I A N R O M A N C E AD PUTTER This book examines the connections betweenthe heroic ideal in Sir Gawain and in earlier

    Arthurian romances. Investigating the Arthurianinterest in polite manners and peacefulinterpersonal relations, it traces the literaryinfluences that lie behind Sir Gawain and theGreen Knight, and to understand the traditionto which it belongs historically. This is aparticularly useful study for understanding

    chivalry, hospitality and social convention in SirGawain.

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    EAS1031 CREATIVE WRITINGT H E O D E L E S S T R A V E L L E D B Y STEPHEN FRYWere all comfortable with the idea of being taught to play thepiano or paint, and yet poetry is often thought of bizarrely as very organic and self-forming. This is a very accessible

    book which helps those who wish to hone their poetic skills. Ifyoure an absolute beginner or seasoned bard, I guaranteeyoull find something in here you didnt know. (And if thatsnot the case, Stephen Fry is such a joy to read that youll beglad you did anyway.

    EAS1032 APPROACHES TOCRITIC ISMT H E S E C O N D S E X SIMONE DE BEAUVOIRAlthough you will already read an extract in NATC, it is useful toread Beauvoirs complete work to fully appreciate her beliefsand philosophy.

    T H E D E A T H O F T H E C R I T I C RONANMCDONALDThis book is fascinating in the way in which it examines the

    application of theory and criticism to our society. Although itseemingly parodies Barthes Death of the Author, McDonaldlaments the declining influence of the critic in an age wherepeople power is the dominant force.

    L E M A G A Z I N E L I T T R A I R E For any Francophones out there, this is an excellent magazinewith some insightful archives containing interviews with Derrida

    and Cixous, among others. It is helpful to see the thoughts andjeux de motsin their native language, since some of these canbe partially lost in translation.

    SECONDARYREADINGA C H I L D R E N S T R E A S U R Y O FM I L L I G A N C L A S S I C S T O R I E SA N D P O E M S SPIKEMILLIGANA childrens book? A childrens book? Ina university? A book with pictures? Yes,all of these things. Spike Milligan is thekind of writer everyone should readwhen they think academia is too heavy.He reminds me why I love literature. Idfail to describe him if I tried, so heresan extract:

    R A I NThere are holes in the skyWhere the rain gets inBut theyre ever so small

    Thats why rain is thin.

    D O N T M I N D Y O U R L A N G U A G E STEPHEN FRY Fry makes our list twice and after all,why shouldnt this lord of language doso? The next time youre docked marksfor putting a semi-colon where itshouldnt be, or the next time aforgotten capital letter costs you a first,

    whip out this bad boy to rejuvenate yourcreative juices. You can read the text or even better, watch the typographyvideo on YouTube. You wont regret it!

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    LAW SOPHIE CLARKE

    CONSTITUTIONAL ANDADMINISTRATIVE LAWT H E L A S T D E F E N C E O F W E D N E S B U R Y J .GOODWIN, FROM PUBLIC LAW 445An interesting journal to support your studyof judicial review and Wednesburyunreasonableness. Goodwin offers a differentperspective on the argument surroundingWednesbury review, defending theWednesbury test amidst the call for itsreplacement with a proportionality test. It is

    a useful article to consolidate knowledge ofthe two judicial review tests and provokeconsideration of issues surrounding both.Great preparation for the exam!

    W H O I S T H E F A I R - M I N D E D A N D I N F O R M E DO B S E R V E R? B I A S A F T E R M A G I L L S.ATRILL , FROM CAMBRIDGE LAW JOURNAL279.Atrill presents a discussion on the observertest for bias as laid out in the case Porter vMagill. This is a great companion to yourstudy of bias as an element of proceduralimpropriety in Administrative Law in term 2.Atrill challenges what is meant by this test,using coherent examples to present his ownview on the present test, that the structure

    of the test should be retained, but that itshould be extended to a balancing exerciseincorporating the perception of thereasonable observer.

    CONTRACT LAWT H E M E A N I N G O F O B J E C T I V I T Y I N C O N T R A C T W.HOWARTH FROM LAW QUARTERLY REVIEW 265. William Howarth offers a well-known interpretation of themeaning of the widely used term objectivity in Contract Law.

    It is a term which will stay with you throughout your study ofContract Law and Howarth is a great starting point tounderstand the crux of what it really means. Thus, it is auseful read near to the start of the course. Howarth clearlybreaks objectivity down into three different types: promisorobjectivity, promisee objectivity and detached objectivity.

    R E M O T E N E S S R E - V I S I T E D E. PEEL FROM LAWQUARTERLY REVIEW 6 When it comes to studying the rule of remoteness, Peel offersa good consolidation for your understanding of the rule asestablished by the House of Lords in the Transfield Shippingcase.

    CRIMINAL LAWJ O I N E N T E R P R I S E : M U R D E R - K I L L I N G O F B Y S T A N D D E R B YO T H E R P A R T Y I N G U N F I G H T D. ORMEROD FROMCRIMINAL LAW REVIEW 151. Ormerod presents an interesting comment on R v Gnango,a key case when you come to study joint enterprise aprinciple generally seen as arising where two or morepeople together embark on the commission of a criminaloffence. He provides commentary on the Court of Appealsdecision in Gnango, which explores whether a party in a

    gunfight could be liable for the murder of an innocentbystander by joint enterprise, or whether the jointenterprise principle didnt apply where each participantintended to kill the other.

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    MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES HARRY LESSER

    HISTORY / CULTURED A Y S O F G O D JAMES BUCHANA thought-provoking account and scrutiny of theIranian experience in modern history useful as a

    background reading for any study of modern Iranand its political mindsets.N O T E S O N A C E N T U R Y : R E F L E C T I O N S O F AM I D D L E E A S T H I S T O R I A N BERNARDLEWIS & BUNTZIE E. CHURCHILL The acknowledged authority of this particular

    academic field sheds new light on Middle Easternpolitics, and his effective refutation of Edward

    Saids Orientalistthesis is notably refreshing.

    A M O D E R N H I S T O R Y O F T H E K U R D S DAVID MCDOWALLA vital introduction to the history of one of the

    worlds least known yet most importantphenomena, the Kurdish question. Exeters

    department is especially well-informed on thissubject, so take advantage of it and read this

    book.J E R U S A L E M : T H E B I O G R A P H Y SIMONMONTEFL IOREWritten in the best prose on this list, Jerusalem isthe indispensable introduction to the City of

    Peace. It offers a more human perspective thanmany other such books, and perhaps also an

    insight into why humans kill other humans for landand for their imaginary friends.

    POLITICS / ECONOMICSR E F L E C T I O N S O N I S R A E L ' S W A R A G A I N S T T H EP A L E S T I N I A N S NOAM CHOMSKYExpect cutting, acerbic commentary from two of the mostnoted and outspoken authorities on the Israel/Palestinian

    question. A short publication, but will not fail to provoke aresponse.T H E G R E A T W A R F O R C I V I L I S A T I O N : T H E C O N Q U E S T O FT H E M I D D L E E A S T ROBERT FISKA detailed account of various regions and events in theMiddle East of the latter 20th Century. Sound historical

    analysis combined with a journalists slant.T H E W E A L T H A N D P O V E R T Y O F N A T I O N S : W H Y S O M E A R ES O R I C H A N D S O M E S O P O O R DAVID S . LANDESThis magnum opus is essentially an economic history ofthe world, explaining why the world is the way it is. It is

    great for understanding politics and economics in a widercontext. It also makes empirical sense and is not written in

    that stuffy, overly theoretical, look-at-me-Im-an-academic-who-knows-better-than-all-the-other-academics way.

    T H E A R A B S P R I N G : R E B E L L I O N , R E V O L U T I O N , A N D A N E WW O R L D O R D E R TOBY MANHIRE.At the time of writing, no one (especially the academics

    and the experts) likes to admit that they cannot actuallyagree much about the Arab Spring of 2011-2012, let

    alone wonder with enough hindsight if it was, to quote1066 And All That, a completely Good Thing for humanity.

    What is vital, however, is this books collection of reportsfrom the Guardian, offering succinct, minute by minute

    accounts of events unfolding in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.

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    LANGUAGESP E R S I A NP E R S I A N - E N G L I S H E N G L I S H - P E R S I A N L E A R N E R ' S D I C T I O N A R Y : AD I C T I O N A R Y F O R E N G L I S H S P E A K E R S S T U D Y I N G P E R S I A N YAVARDEHGHANI.Learning Persian? If you are, this two-way English/Farsi lexicon will stand you in good

    stead. It offers both script and phonetic spellings. For a dictionary it is remarkably

    easy on the eye, and is fun to just leaf through when you have a spare moment.

    Amaze your friends with the Persian word for broccoli. You know you want to.

    H E B R E WM O D E R N H E B R E W : A N E S S E N T I A L G R A M M A R LEWIS GILNERT Learning Arabic is slightly less of a nightmare if you already have a familiarity withother languages. To get a more holistic sense of Semitic grammatical/syntactical

    structure, knowledge of Hebrew is useful. Learning the alphabets is not as scary as it

    seems.

    A R A B I CA R A B I C B I L I N G U A L V I S U A L D I C T I O N A R Y SIMON TUITE (ED) & SMISALIH (TRANSLATOR)Studying Arabic? Get yourself one of these visual dictionaries. The brain is supposed

    to work well associating words with pictures, so you might find this easier than staring

    at lists of words. Hopefully youll be able to tell hummus from Hamas. Very, very

    different things

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    MODERN LANGUAGES JESSICA BALLAM & FIONA POTIGNY

    MLS 1062INTRODUCTIONTO THE HISTORYOF THE SPANISHLANGUAGET H E U N F O L D I N G O F L A N G U A G E G. DEUTSCHERAn incredible book written by one of

    my favourite linguists: Deustcheralways writes about complex topicsin an accessible way, making this

    book perfect for an introductorymodule. Though the text does notfocus specifically on any onelanguage, it gives the reader a greatunderstanding of the overall topicand the nature of language change.

    A B R I E F H I S T O R Y O F T H E S P A N I S HL A N G U A G E D. A. PHARIESPharies provides no end of the

    brilliant examples to illustrate thechanges the Spanish language hasundergone. Not only does the bookprovide a chronology of thedevelopment of Spanish, but also

    explains key terms essential tobuilding a foundation for linguisticlearning complete with anextensive glossary at the end.

    MLS 1012 CONTEMPORARY LATINAMERICA: CULTURE, SOCIETY ANDINSTITUTIONST H E P E N G U I N H I S T O R Y O F L A T I N A M E R I C A E. WILLIAMSON An astonishingly comprehensive history of an entire continent, Williamsonmanages to cover a course of history dating right back to the time of theInca Empire all the way up to present day Latin America. Coveringpolitics, religion and culture, the book deals with everything from the

    causes and consequences of the Cuban revolution, to the role of theCEBs in a range of South American countries, with zero previousknowledge required for a deep and detailed understanding.

    T H E C U B A N R E V O L U T I O N : O R I G I N S , C O U R S E , A N D L E G A C Y MARIFELI PEREZ-STABLE This gem clearly explains the causes, course and consequences of therevolution with great focus on issues such as the countrys reliance on

    monoculture and dependence on the Soviet Union. A great read forlanguage students who have not studied history since high school. Each

    aspect is identified and then clearly explained, meaning even complexeconomic issues are manageable for us language students!

    MLF 1015WAR AND CONFLICT INFRENCH LITERATUREI M A G E A N D I D E N T I T Y JEFF BRIDGEFORDThis collection of essays examines the various threads that together create

    Frances rich cultural tapestry. Whether you need statistics from a Paris

    Match survey highlighting Frances attitude to Algerians for La Seine taitrouge or the perfect argument-backing quote on Frances relationship withreligion for Boule de Suif to look that little bit more contextually clued-up,this piece of background reading is indispensible.

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    MLS 1020MEMORY AND IDENTITY INTWENTIETH CENTURY SPAINS E C R E T S F R O M T H E B A C K R O O M : T H E F I C T I O N O F C A R M E NM A R T I N G A I T E JOAN L. BROWNIndispensable for studying Las Ataduras, Lipman Brown writesthoughtfully on gender and the difficult father-daughter

    relationship introducing complex issues such as how the

    theme of an Electra complex is used to criticize Spanish

    society.

    W O M E N W R I T E R S O F C O N T E M P O R A R Y S P A I N : E X I L E S I N T H EH O M E L A N D JOAN L. BROWNAnother work by Brown, this collection of essays is also helpfulwhen discussing Martn Gaites Las Ataduras, as it offers athorough and accessible examination of Gaite as a writer. In

    addition, it also serves as an illuminating contextual reference,

    particularly highlighting the plight of and alienation felt by

    other female intellectuals of Martn Gaites generation.

    E L S U R : D E L A P A L A B R A A L A I M A G E N CRISTINA MARTINEZ-CARAZO FROM B U L L E T I N O F H I S P A N I C S T U D I E S7 4 : 2 , 1 8 7 - 1 9 6 . This essay is primarily a comparison between the original

    literary work and the film. Although one does not need to have

    any knowledge of the novella for this module it is definitely

    useful to have that extra contextual understanding. Martnez-Carazos concise and manageable evaluation is also still

    valuable for interpreting the film in its own right.

    T H E L O N E H E R E T I C : A B I O G R A P H Y O F U N A M U N O Y J U G O MARGARET THOMAS RUDDRudds work provides an excellent framework for reference

    when writing on Unamuno. Delving deep into his personal life,

    this book serves as an enlightening account of Unamunos

    private life, which in turn sheds light on the veiled personal

    meaning behind of the symbolism in San Manuel Bueno, Mrtir.

    FLG1130 / FLG2130GERMAN BEGINNERS /BEGNNERS FAST-TRACKK L A R O ! A P R A C T I C A L G U I D E T OG E R M A N G R A M M A R SUSAN TEBUTTI simply cannot recommend this

    book highly enough to any German

    beginner. With an entirely different

    grammatical system to the most

    commonly studied Europeanlanguages, its easy to fall intopanic mode when youre first hit by

    the words Nominativ, Akkusativ,

    Dativ, Konjuntivthe list goes on.Not to worry, though. Armed with

    Tebbutts well-layed out and

    clearly-explained German grammar

    book, confidence will soon resurgeas you power through the helpful

    grammatical exercises.

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    THANK YOU FOR READING THIS GUIDE . KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR THE OFFIC IAL PRINT

    PUBLICAT ION OF THE UNDERGRADUATE IN JANUARY .WE LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

    TO UNIVERSITY OF EXETER S ACADEMIC JOURNALFOR UNDERGRADUATES BY UNDERGRADUATES .

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