Unit information: Tradition and Experimentation in Twentieth-Century European Fiction in 2021/22

Unit name	Tradition and Experimentation in Twentieth-Century European Fiction
Unit code	MODLM2034
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Debbie Pinfold
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Modern Languages
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This core unit in the MA programme in European Literature explores the challenge to the norms and conventions of the realist novel that underlies the evolution of much 20th-century European narrative. It will concentrate on experimental subversion and expansion of the contours of the classical novel, but will also consider more overtly traditionalist approaches to the revitalisation of the genre. The unit will be team-taught by specialists in several major literatures. Precise choice of texts will vary from year to year, but landmark works from the European tradition will be selected so as to enable maximally fruitful comparison of formal features and thematic preoccupations. The unit will evaluate a variety of critical approaches to prose fiction and literary dynamics. Emphasis will be placed on comparison and contrast of specific social, ideological and aesthetic contexts within different European cultures, with particular attention to the narrative strategies which shaped the development of 20th-century fictional forms.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge and understanding of major strands of European thought, literature, history and culture
2. Knowledge and understanding of the commonalities and diversity of European culture, broadly defined
3. Students will be able to interpret and evaluate literary and other works and cultural/historical/intellectual trends
4. Students will be able to synthesise information from a variety of sources, evaluate competing interpretations and make reasoned academic judgements
5. Students will be able to compare the textual and other cultural products of different cultures, making fresh and imaginative connections between disparate material Students will be able to critically survey, analyse and interpret complex texts
6. Students will be able to communicate effectively and present a cogent and comprehensive argument, both orally and in writing
7. Students will be able to make appropriate use of information technology for research and presentation of work
8. Students will be able to undertake research using appropriate source materials
9. Students will be able to work independently and to deadlines, to an exacting scholarly level.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered online through a combination of synchronous sessions and asynchronous activities, including seminars, lectures, and collaborative as well as self-directed learning opportunities supported by tutor consultation.

Assessment Information

1 x formative presentation (pass/fail); required to pass. 1 x 5000 word essay (summative)

Resources

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. MODLM2034).

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.