Module Details
| Module Code: |
CULT H8033 |
|
Full Title:
|
American Literature: Poetry, Prose and American Culture
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| Valid From:: |
Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 ) |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
|---|
| Module Owner:: |
Aoileann Ni Eigeartaigh
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| 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.
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| 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).
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| No recommendations listed |
| Module Indicative Content |
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The Founding of America: Mythology and the Hero in American Literature
n/a
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The Birth of a Nation: Manifest Destiny and American Ideology
n/a
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1920s: Social and Economic Boom: The Roaring Twenties
n/a
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1930s: The Great Depression, Prohibition and the Gangster Era
n/a
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1940s: World War II and the Home Front
n/a
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1950s: Post-War Boom, Cold War Politics, McCarthyism and HUAC
n/a
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1960s: Civil Rights and Reforms
n/a
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1970s: Social Decay and Alienation
n/a
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1980s: The Reagan Years: Masculinity and Consumerism
n/a
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1990s: Generation X and the Digital Age
n/a
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2000s: September 11th and the Role of Literature
n/a
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Module Assessment
|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
|---|
| Course Work | 100.00% |
| Module Special Regulation |
| |
AssessmentsFull-time
Part-time
| 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 |
|---|
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Parrish, Timothy. (2013), The Cambridge Companion to American Novelists, Cambridge University Press.
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Levine, Robert S., ed.. (2016), The Norton Anthology of American Literature, 1865-present, W.W. Norton and Company.
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Gray, Richard. (2011), A History of American Literature, Wiley-Blackwell.
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Bradbury, Malcolm.. (1983), The Modern American Novel., Oxford University Press.
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Lauter, Paul.. (2005), The Heath Anthology of American Literature., Houghton Mifflin.
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
|---|
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Baudrillard, Jean.. (1988), America., Verso.
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Annesley, James.. (1999), Blank Fictions., Pluto Press.
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Rangno, Eric V.R. and Jerry Phillips.. (2005), Contemporary American Literature., Facts on File.
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Baker, Stephen.. (2000), The Fiction of Postmodernity., Edinburgh University Press.
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Baldwin, Kenneth and David Kirby, eds.. (1975), Individual and Community: Variations on a Theme in American Fiction., Duke University Press.
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Bradbury, Malcolm and Sigmund Ro, eds.. (1987), Contemporary American Fiction., Edward Arnold.
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Featherstone, Mike.. (1991), Consumer Culture and Postmodernism., SAGE.
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Hilfer, Tony.. (1992), American Fiction Since 1940., Longman.
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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 |
|---|
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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.
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