| Unit name | American Literature |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ENGL20124 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Savage |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of English |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit aims to introduce students to a selection of poetry and prose that gives a flavour of the development and variety of American literature. Examples will be chosen from across the nineteenth- and twentieth centuries, and may include authors such as: Gertrude Stein, Marylinne Robinson, Toni Morrison, Maggie Nelson, John Steinbeck, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac.
Aims:
This unit aims to introduce students to a variety of prose and poetry that reflects the range of writing in nineteenth- and twentieth-century American literature. Students will be encouraged to consider in depth the American voice (or American voices); use of form and forms; parallel developments in American society; and the relationship to, and commentary on, the European tradition
Successful students will be able to:
1) demonstrate knowledge of the chronology, range, and variety of American literature in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
2) critically analyse novels and poetry, as well as non-fictional prose
3) draw comparisons and consider differences within this tradition and beyond it
4) communicate their ideas about these issues effectively
5) present a persuasive written argument appropriate to level I/5
The unit will normally be taught in 1 x 3-hour seminar per week for 10 weeks; each of which will utilise a range of teaching methods including lectures by the tutor(s), formal and informal presentations by students, and small group discussion.
One 2000-word essay (40%). [ILO 2, 4, 5] One 3000-word essay (60%). [ILO 1-5]
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ENGL20124).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
