Studying at York
20th Century Literature - YorkCourse - ENG00113M
Module summary
The twentieth century was the century in which urbanisation and mechanisation reached a new peak. It was the century in which the power of science and industry were applied to two world wars and to genocides that eradicated the difference between soldier and civilian, innocent and guilty. The literature of the time is deeply engaged in such struggles. Strikingly polarised in style between the realistic and the experimental, the works of writers such as Joyce, Eliot, Yeats, Woolf and Orwell take their sides in the conflict between elitism and democracy, humanity and inhumanity, commitment and alienation.
We are the heirs of their struggles.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
Module aims
- Literary: to use a mixture of close reading and plot analysis to explore the different writing styles of the twentieth century and their purpose.
- Historical/political: to examine the human cost of the World Wars and the reactions to the downfall of Britain as an imperial power.
- Sociological: to explore the changes in morality over the period, particularly the struggle for women’s social and political rights.
- Cultural: to experience how the movements of the time are reflected in the art and music of the day.
Module learning outcomes
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
- Show a thorough and critical understanding of the engagement of 20th Century British and Irish literature with a range of political, social and aesthetic issues in the period.
- describe and evaluate a range of critical perspectives about 20th Century literature.
- Demonstrate familiarity with and the use of a range of research methods and tools (for example, library and archival catalogues and online databases) in order to successfully carry out a substantial piece of independent and original research.
- Demonstrate the ability to present extended and complex arguments in writing and orally to an academic audience.
- Show the academic, personal and professional skills required to equip you to undertake your MA dissertation in Norway and to afterwards carry on to PhD research or make immediate impact upon employment in a relevant field, such as teaching.
Indicative assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Essay 5000 Words |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Essay 5000 Words |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
Formative: During the teaching period, you will be required to submit an annotated bibliography, two part drafts and a full draft of your essay to the module convenor for feedback. You will receive written comments on each of these within 2 weeks of submission. Further feedback will be provided during five one-to-one tutorials which will be evenly spaced throughout the semester. These are designed to help you with the skills needed to successfully conduct individual and original MA-level work/research.
Summative: You will receive written feedback on your summative assessment within 20 working days of submission. This is normally sent via email. You are welcome to discuss this written feedback with the module convenor, your pastoral supervisor, the YorkCourse Co-ordinator and/or the NSC Director.
Indicative reading
- Joyce: ‘The Dead’
- Woolf: Mrs Dalloway
- Beckett: End Game
- Ishiguro: The Remains of the Day
You will be required to research the topic of your essay for yourself using a mix of up-to-date textbooks, specialised books and journals. You will receive training in finding and using academic resources in the weekly separate compulsory research training seminars.