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20th Century Literature - YorkCourse - 40N0131

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  • Department: English and Related Literature
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Jonathan Brockbank
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

The twentieth century was the century in which urbanisation and mechanisation reached a new peak. It was the century in which the power of science and industry were applied to two world wars and to genocides that eradicated the difference between soldier and civilian, innocent and guilty. The literature of the time is deeply engaged in such struggles. Strikingly polarised in style between the realistic and the experimental, the works of writers such as Joyce, Eliot, Yeats, Woolf and Orwell take their sides in the conflict between elitism and democracy, humanity and inhumanity, commitment and alienation.

We are the heirs of their struggles.

This module is for Norwegian Study Centre BA students only.

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 writing styles of the twentieth century and their purpose.
  • Historical/political: to examine the human cost of the World Wars and the reactions to the downfall of Britain as an imperial power.
  • Sociological: to explore the changes in morality over the period, particularly the struggle for women’s social and political rights.
  • Cultural: to experience how the movements of the time are reflected in the art and music of the day.

Module learning outcomes

  • To acquire knowledge of the major styles and trends of twentieth century literature.
  • To appreciate the cultural reaction to some of the most traumatic events of the twentieth century.
  • To understand some of the major social shifts that occurred since 1910.
  • To realise how multi-faceted and interlocking the cultural and historical movements of the twentieth century are.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Research Essay		 N/A 50
Essay/coursework
Research essay		 N/A 50

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Research Essay		 N/A 50
Essay/coursework
Research essay 2		 N/A 50

Module feedback

Students recieve feedback during the course in the form of one-to-one tutorials.

Indicative reading

Core texts

  • Joyce: ‘The Dead’
  • Woolf: Mrs Dalloway
  • Beckett: End Game
  • Ishiguro: The Remains of the Day


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.