School of Humanities  
 
 
ENG-30053 Postmodernism: Fiction, Film and Theory  
Co-ordinator: Dr Nicholas Bentley    Room: CBB2.057, Tel:33304  
Teaching Team: Mrs Tracey  Lea, Mrs Amanda  Porritt, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
American Studies Dual Honours (Level 3)
American Studies Minor (Level 3)
American Studies Single Honours (Level 3)
English and American Literatures Single Honours (Level 3)
English Dual Honours (Level 3)
English Major (Level 3)
English Minor (Level 3)
Film Studies Dual Honours (Level 3)
Film Studies Minor (Level 3)
Media, Communications and Culture Dual Honours (Level 3)
Media, Communications and Culture Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Barred Combinations
ENG-3XXXX: Postmodern Fiction and Literary Theory

Prerequisites
None
Description

Postmodernism represents an important body of critical theory that developed in the second half of the twentieth century, and continues to have relevance in the twenty-first. It crosses a range of disciplines, but emphasizes an interrogative, reflexive and eclectic challenge to many philosophical and aesthetic values and practices. On this module, you will explore the relevance and meaning of some of the ideas associated with postmodernism with respect to selected novels and films. You will assess the influence of key ideas on writers and directors and you will study the main themes and techniques used in postmodern fiction and film. The module also encourages a critically-informed assessment of the implications of postmodern thinking for contemporary notions of history, identity, sexuality, politics and consumer society. Fiction and film likely to be studied on the module include Julian Barnes, A History of the World in 10½ Chapters; Jeanette Winterson, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit; Martin Amis, Money; J. G. Ballard, Kingdom Come; The Hours (dir. Stephen Daldry); The Company of Wolves (dir. Neil Jordan); The Matrix (dir. Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski); and Mulholland Drive (dir. David Lynch).
Aims
To examine the relationship between selected fiction, film and postmodern theory.
To develop an understanding of influential theoretical ideas in postmodernism.
To study the generic and stylistic features of recent writing and film.
To encourage critical analysis of literary, filmic and theoretical material and reflection on the practice of criticism.
Intended Learning Outcomes
discuss and write confidently on the ideas, techniques and developments associated with postmodernism as well as the major concepts advanced by relevant literary and cultural theories; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
consider the place of literature and film within transformations of culture, aesthetic value and representation; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
discuss and write at an advanced level on the complexity of literary and filmic language; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
apply, critically, challenging concepts in the analysis of literary and filmic texts; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
use advanced interpretative and analytical skills in the analysis of literary and filmic texts; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
assess the value of different critical approaches. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Study hours
20 hours seminars
20 hours seminar/workshop preparation
70 hours reading primary and secondary texts
10 hours working on formative assessment
30 hours working on essay
Description of Module Assessment
01: Short Paper weighted 30%
A 1000-word analysis of a an extract form a critical theory
Students will choose to discuss one from a choice of three extracts from different theories related to postmodernism. They will be asked to apply this theory to an extract of prose fiction. Feedback will offered on this exercise that will feed into the other pieces of assessment.
02: Essay weighted 70%
A 3,000-3,500 word essay
Students choose one question from a list of 8-10. The essay will require students to reflect on aspects of postmodern theory and apply them to a selected novel or film.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

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