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 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 Essay 1
N/A
50
Essay/coursework Essay 2
N/A
50
Special assessment rules
None
Reassessment
None
Module feedback
Students recieve feedback during the course in the form of one-to-one tutorials. They will receive feedback on their essays within 20 days of submission.