This module surveys English literature and culture from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century. Its aim is to acquaint students with the issues and debates which have informed literary and cultural production in Britain in the last two centuries by examining closely selected literary, theoretical and cultural texts of Romanticism, Victorianism, Modernism and Postmodernism. The study of these texts will be organized around specific sets of concerns (for example, revolution, nation, gender, race, nature, etc.). Through contextual and interactive readings students will be able to follow through transformations in literary representation as these take place in the context of changing historical, cultural, social and political circumstances. Students need to do the required amount of reading within the limits set by the course outline and always before its discussion in class. This will facilitate their contribution to class discussions which will be an essential requirement of this module. Objectives:
Assessment A. an essay-type exam at the end (two essays), OR B. (if numbers permit) 1) oral presentation on a selected topic, 2) a small written assignment, and 3) an essay-type exam at the end (one essay). The essay is assessed on the basis of organization, argumentation, quality of expression in English, and skills of analysis and synthesis. The final examination is assessed on the basis of factual knowledge and familiarity with the required readings, in addition to the above criteria. The criteria are made known to the students in the introductory modules of the first year and apply in all literature modules. Τhese are also announced on Blackboard and stated in the Course Outline.
Course Outline
