Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

•To introduce students to modernist texts and the critical debates surrounding them.
•To introduce students to the changes in literary form and practice that occurred during the early to mid twentieth century.
•To encourage close analytical and critical reading of texts.
•To encourage consideration of the political and historical contexts within which texts are produced.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module begins by situating the emergence of modernism in its historical contexts. Across the module we will study some of the major literary works of the period, and examine the major contexts for the emergence of distinctively modernist form and content. The emphasis throughout will be on the significance of formal innovation and experimentation.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students successfully completing the module will be able to engage critically with the following:

1. Diverse histories of modernist literature and performance and critical debates surrounding them.
2. Issues of formal innovation and the connections and disjunctions between form, content, and contexts.
3. Issues surrounding the reading and interpretation of modernist texts.
4. Issues surrounding the diverse political, cultural and intellectual contexts in which texts are produced.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students successfully completing the module will be:
1. Able to develop their own research practice in response to research-led teaching
2. Able to critically compare and contrast different texts and contexts
3. Able to identify and explore issues relating to the social and political construction of texts
4. Able to respond critically to formally challenging texts
5. Able to exercise and develop a sensitivity to verbal and visual creativity

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures introduce students to knowledge outcomes. Student-led study groups develop this knowledge and enable the practise of skills. Seminars further develop knowledge and enable the practise of skills, namely close textual analysis and interpersonal communications.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written assignments assess knowledge of primary and contextual materials studied on the module, critical and analytical skills, close reading skills, writing skills, the ability to compare and contrast, and knowledge of the whole module. A mid-module essay assesses students' understanding of texts and topics covered in weeks 1-4. The end-of-module written exercise assesses students' understanding of texts and topics covered in the remainder of the module.

General Notes

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