The twentieth century was a golden age of fantastic fiction in English. This course invites you to ask yourself why so many writers of the period chose to respond to the modern world by turning away from it, and to write the history of their time through representations of the bizarre and the impossible.

1 x 90min seminar per week over ten weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

5 x 1hr 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.

ENGLIT4006  Fantastic History

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (2000 words): 35% 

■ Essay (3000 words): 50% 

■ 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 (2000 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). 

■ 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:

■ study a range of fantasy fiction written in the twentieth century

■ consider these texts in the light of influential critical and theoretical approaches to fantasy

■ understand the relationship between fantasy and history

■ develop independent research skills through formulating and researching essay topics with appropriate guidance

■ develop skills in the art of critical writing at the appropriate level.

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

■ write an assessment of available theories of and critical approaches to fantasy, and identify the theories and approaches best suited to their research

■ write in a critical and informed way about genres and techniques in twentieth-century fantasy fiction

■ engage in independent study, identifying, researching and writing on fantasy-related topics

■ 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.