Focusing on novels of the last five years from both sides of the Atlantic (the United States and the United Kingdom & Ireland) this course will examine a representative selection of novels within an historical framework of other influential authors from these cultures. It will also relate the novels to relevant developments in the publishing industries such as book festivals, literary prizes, and new technologies.

6 x 2hr seminars and 4 x 2hr workshops 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.

None

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (1000 words): 20% 

■ Seminar contribution: 10% 

■ Seminar presentation of 12 minutes: 20% 

■ EITHER Time-limited essay (2500 words) to be completed over a 4-day period after the standard submission deadline: 50% OR  Essay (3000 words): 50% 

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 (1000 words), but flexible deadline 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 the presentation.

■ There are no alternatives to the Essay (3000 words) or Time-Limited Essay (2500), but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

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

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ study key American novels and British/Irish novels of the last 5 years within a comparative intellectual framework

■ understand the place of this fiction within an historical framework of other influential fictional texts and authors' literary practices from these cultures

■ relate these novels to relevant shifts and developments in the publishing industries of these cultures such as book festivals, literary prizes, independent presses, and new technologies 

■ make connections between the texts and issues covered in the course and the students' own reading in the field of the contemporary novel.

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

■ write knowledgeably about the contemporary novel in the U.S. and the U.K. & Ireland, constructing informed comparative arguments

■ make connections between the novels studied and earlier texts from these cultures, referring to issues of form, aesthetics and politics

■ discuss the shaping influence of the publishing industries of the recent past making informed reference to key literary institutions and industries on both sides of the Atlantic

■ use the material of the course to reflect critically on their own reading practices in the contemporary novel

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

■ develop resilience and time management skills 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.