A survey course that examines the important changes and developments in post-war British, Irish and postcolonial fiction through the work of a diverse range of post-war writers and genres of writing. A contemporary writer is invited to deliver one of the lectures each year.

1 x 1hr lecture and 1 x 1hr seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

OR

1 x 1hr lecture per week over ten weeks and 7 x 90min seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

This is one of the Honours options in English Literature and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

ENGLIT4057  Literature 1945-present

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (1500 words): 25%  

■ Essay (3000 words): 50%  

■ Seminar contribution: 10%  

■ Seminar presentation of 7 minutes: 15% 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the Essay (1500 words), but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ There are no alternatives to the Essay (3000 words), but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ Written self-evaluation reflecting on seminar contribution or written response to seminar material in advance or after seminar as alternative to seminar contribution.

■ Recorded presentation or one-to-one presentation / discussion/Q&A with staff (where presentation would normally be in class) as alternative to seminar presentation.

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ read widely across several genres within post-war and contemporary British, Irish and Postcolonial literature and select individual areas of specialised enquiry

■ study and discuss some of the key critical terms and concepts that have informed critical and creative practice during the period

■ relate literary texts to relevant cultural and historical contexts and debates of the period

■ discuss current and possible future trends in British, Irish and Postcolonial Literatures.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ identify and discuss a range of literary genres and movements from within the period studied

■ analyse the literature of the period making reference to current issues and relevant critical concepts

■ articulate an understanding of the complex relationship between literature and culture in the period studied

■ communicate responses to the material studied on the course both orally and in written form through coherent and sustained argument.

■ demonstrate resilience and time management through effectively planning, undertaking and submitting coursework.

■ deal with change and new challenges by applying their disciplinary skills and knowledge to previously unfamiliar research areas and questions.