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20th Century Literature - YorkCourse - 40N0119

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  • Department: English and Related Literature
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Jonathan Brockbank
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This module is for Norwegian Study Centre postgraduates only.

This module is based around reactions to the two world wars that led to British writers questioning the Imperial ideas of race and Empire they inherited from the Victorians. At the end of the period the ‘Windrush’ generation is glimpsed starting to establish a Britain composed of visible sub-cultures.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

  • Literary: to use a mixture of close reading and plot analysis to explore the different styles of writing deployed during the century.

  • Historical/political: to examine the fall of the British Empire and the reactions to two world wars .

  • Sociological: to explore the rise of women’s rights and the position of women in a century that begins by being dominated by men.

  • Cultural: to experience how the movements of the time are reflected by the ‘high’ and ‘low’ art of the day.

Module learning outcomes

  • To acquire knowledge of the major styles and trends of literature in Britain during the century.

  • To appreciate the cultural reaction to the increasing insecurities of the twentieth century.

  • To understand some of the major social shifts that occurred since 1910.

  • To realise how the literature reflects the fears and hopes of the twentieth century.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
5000 word essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

Students will receive feedback on their work during the semester in the form of tutorials. Summative feedback will be received twenty days after submission.

Indicative reading

  • Joyce ‘The Dead’

  • Rebecca West The Return of the Solider

  • Woolf Mrs Dalloway

  • Selvon The Lonely Londoners


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.