This course introduces students to the key genres, writers and movements of early twentieth-century literature, from the emergence of modern movements in the 1890s to the modernisms and anti-modernisms of the first half of the twentieth century. Core lectures throughout the semester suggest connections and distinctions between a varied range of writers by outlining relevant historical contexts, critical debates and conceptual frameworks; in seminars, students follow a set programme of texts devised by their seminar leader though they are also invited, in response to lectures and to their own specific interests, to develop individual paths of enquiry.

1 x 1hr lecture and 1 x 1hr seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

OR

1 x 1hr lecture per week over ten weeks and 7 x 90min seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

This is one of the Honours options in English Literature and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

ENGLIT4058  Literature 1890-1945

Either close reading exercise or essay (1500 words): 25%

Essay (3000 words): 50%

Seminar contribution: 10%

Seminar presentation of 7 minutes: 15%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ introduce students to a range of authors, issues and genres of the period 1890 to 1945

■ introduce students to the key critical terms and concepts that have informed critical and creative practice during the modern period

■ relate literary texts to the cultural and historical contexts that may have shaped them

■ develop individually selected areas of specialised enquiry.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ understand the literature and culture of the period in a critically and historically informed way

■ present and argue a case cogently and effectively using organisational and analytical skills

■ employ contemporary methods of information retrieval and apply them to good effect in their written submissions

■ communicate responses to the material studied on the course both orally and in written form through coherent and sustained argument.

■ demonstrate resilience and time management through effectively planning, undertaking and submitting coursework.

■ deal with change and new challenges by applying their disciplinary skills and knowledge to previously unfamiliar research areas and questions.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.