AMS-20053: The Romance of Fiction: History and Society in 19th Century American Literature

School of Humanities

AMS-20053

The Romance of Fiction: History and Society in 19th Century American Literature

Co-ordinator:

Prof Ian Bell Room: CBB1.043, Tel:33012

Teaching Team:

Level:

Credits:

Study Hours:

150

School Office:

Tel: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description

The module introduces students to the work of some of the major canonical writers of the nineteenth century, notably Poe, Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Whitman, Cooper and James. These writers have often been said to work in the genre/tradition of the ‘Romance’, and the course seeks both to define that term and to analyse what ideas or literary strategies these writers held in common. In the work of post-war American literary critics, there has been an assumption that romance was primarily interested in questions of individual psychology; the course explores some of the ways in which romance may also be seen to be interested in questions of history.

Aims

The module introduces students to the work of some of the major canonical writers of the 19thC. These writers have often been said to work in the genre/tradition of the ‘Romance,’ and the module seeks both to define that term and to analyse what ideas or literary strategies they held in common. In the work of post-WW2 literary critics, there has been an assumption that ‘Romance’ was primarily interested in questions of individual psychology; the module explores some of the ways in which ‘Romance’ forms may also be seen to be interested in questions of history. The module will also consider issues of gender and race and the construction of national identity in 19thC literature.

Intended Learning Outcomes

To be able to identify and describe the principal thematic preoccupations of American Literary thought in the 19thC in both prose and poetry, including the role of literature in the construction of national identity.

To be able to conduct written and oral narrative and stylistic analyses of individual texts, and to relate these analyses to historical, social and cultural contexts.

Study hours

11 weeks @ 2 hours seminar = 22 hours
11 weeks @ 4 hours seminar preparation = 44 hours
Short Paper preparation = 34 hours
Exam preparation and private study = 50 hours
Total = 150 hours

Description of Module Assessment

001: Short Paper weighted 30%

1000-1500 words
Short Paper (1,000-1,500 words) Exercise in narrative and stylistic analysis

002: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 60%

2 hr unseen exam
Unseen 2-hour examination, in which students will be required to answer two questions from a choice of ca. 10 concerning key thematic, historical, and cultural issues on the module.

003: Seminar weighted 10%

Seminar participation
Participation is assessed according to effort as well as academic ability; i.e., evidence of preparation in response to set seminar topics, readiness to apply the preparation positively in class discussion and quality of contributions. Tutors will keep weekly records to support marks awarded. (See AMS Student Handbook for full details).

Version: (1.03) Created: 08/Mar/2010

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.