Module Details

Module Code: CULT H8033
Full Title: American Literature: Poetry, Prose and American Culture
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner:: Aoileann Ni Eigeartaigh
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: This module explores the evolution of American literature from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. It examines the main themes and issues that recur in American literary texts and relates these to prevailing cultural and social changes. It introduces students to the key theoretical frameworks, concepts and arguments that have been employed in relation to American literature and culture. This module includes a weekly Research and Writing Skills seminar designed to foster students' critical, analytical and presentation skills.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Appraise the central role played by literary and other cultural texts as transmitters of social messages and ideologies
MLO2 Interpret a number of recurring themes in American literary texts
MLO3 Discuss a wide variety of American writers and assess the roles they have played in debates about American identity
MLO4 Analyze the ways in which contemporary American literary texts reflect social and cultural change
MLO5 Produce well-considered critiques of key works of American literature
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
The Founding of America: Mythology and the Hero in American Literature
n/a
The Birth of a Nation: Manifest Destiny and American Ideology
n/a
1920s: Social and Economic Boom: The Roaring Twenties
n/a
1930s: The Great Depression, Prohibition and the Gangster Era
n/a
1940s: World War II and the Home Front
n/a
1950s: Post-War Boom, Cold War Politics, McCarthyism and HUAC
n/a
1960s: Civil Rights and Reforms
n/a
1970s: Social Decay and Alienation
n/a
1980s: The Reagan Years: Masculinity and Consumerism
n/a
1990s: Generation X and the Digital Age
n/a
2000s: September 11th and the Role of Literature
n/a
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will produce an indepth analysis of one key work of American literature. Their research will be structured around one of the core themes of the module.; approx. 2000 words
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will submit a Research Proposal for their essay, clearly outlining their aims and research questions.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Class participation is a key component in this module. Students will be given weekly readings to prepare for class and will be expected to contribute to structured class discussions.
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will prepare a group presentation on one of the core texts, focusing on the ways in which the selected text reflects its social and historical context.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

Part-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will produce an indepth analysis of one key work of American literature. Their research will be structured around one of the core themes of the module; approx. 2000 words
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will submit a Research Proposal for their essay, clearly outlining their aims and research questions.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Class participation is a key component in this module. Students will be given weekly readings to prepare for class and will be expected to contribute to structured class discussions.
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will prepare a group presentation on one of the core texts, focusing on the ways in which the selected text reflects its social and historical context.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
No repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will be offered solely on the basis of coursework and a repeat examination will not be offered.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Seminar Every Week 1.00 1
Tutorial Contact Research and Writing Skills Seminar Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Tutorial Contact Research and Writing Skills Seminar Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Parrish, Timothy. (2013), The Cambridge Companion to American Novelists, Cambridge University Press.
  • Levine, Robert S., ed.. (2016), The Norton Anthology of American Literature, 1865-present, W.W. Norton and Company.
  • Gray, Richard. (2011), A History of American Literature, Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Bradbury, Malcolm.. (1983), The Modern American Novel., Oxford University Press.
  • Lauter, Paul.. (2005), The Heath Anthology of American Literature., Houghton Mifflin.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Baudrillard, Jean.. (1988), America., Verso.
  • Annesley, James.. (1999), Blank Fictions., Pluto Press.
  • Rangno, Eric V.R. and Jerry Phillips.. (2005), Contemporary American Literature., Facts on File.
  • Baker, Stephen.. (2000), The Fiction of Postmodernity., Edinburgh University Press.
  • Baldwin, Kenneth and David Kirby, eds.. (1975), Individual and Community: Variations on a Theme in American Fiction., Duke University Press.
  • Bradbury, Malcolm and Sigmund Ro, eds.. (1987), Contemporary American Fiction., Edward Arnold.
  • Featherstone, Mike.. (1991), Consumer Culture and Postmodernism., SAGE.
  • Hilfer, Tony.. (1992), American Fiction Since 1940., Longman.
  • Klein, Michael.. (1984), An American Half Century: Postwar Culture and Politics in the USA., Pluto Press.
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • DkIT subscribes to a wide variety of Ebooks and Ejournals. Relevant articles will be recommended to students..
Other Resources
  • Online, Students will be expected to stay up-to-date with contemporary critical and cultural developments. Relevant websites and data bases will be strongly recommended to them.