School of Humanities  
 
 
AMS-10023 The Unreliable Truth: Studies in Twentieth-Century English and American Literatures  
Co-ordinator: Prof Oliver Harris    Room: CBB1.053, Tel:33016  
Teaching Team: Mrs Jayne  Braddick, Prof Oliver  Harris, Dr Tim  Lustig, Mrs Amanda  Porritt, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts, Mr Jonathan  Bell  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
American Studies Dual Honours (Level 1)
American Studies Minor (Level 1)
American Studies Single Honours (Level 1)
English and American Literatures Single Honours (Level 1)
English with Creative Writing Single Honours (Level 1)
English Dual Honours (Level 1)
English Major (Level 1)
English Minor (Level 1)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Prerequisites
None
Barred Combinations
None
Description

"The Unreliable Truth" looks at the ways twentieth-century British and American writers - including Virginia Woolf, George Orwell, Kurt Vonnegut and Maxine Hong Kingston - experiment with different types of narration to challenge the idea of reliablility in storytelling. Various techniques are studied, including first-person narration, stream of consciousness and metafictional strategies, and throughout the module students are encouraged to compare and contrast texts through open discussion and close textual reading, as well as looking at the historical and cultural contexts in which the texts were written in order to speculate on why different techniques were adopted.

This module is intended to build on level 1 literature modules taken in the first semester, and makes a natural pair with AMS-10027 Transatlantic Gothic: Studies in 19thC English and American Literatures.
Aims
To introduce students to key literary texts from two national cultures; to develop students' comparative close reading skills; to relate textual analysis to historical, social, and cultural contexts; to introduce students to basic degree-level research and writing skills and key transferable skills.
Intended Learning Outcomes
describe and evaluate basic features of 20th -century American literature and culture. will be achieved by assessments: 2, 3
demonstrate awareness of literature's role in national identity will be achieved by assessments: 2, 3
describe and evaluate basic features of disciplinary scholarship (literary) relating to study of the United States. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
analyse and interpret a range of primary and secondary written sources. will be achieved by assessments: 2
use appropriate referencing and presentation conventions will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
employ appropriate critical terms and methods will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
relate textual analysis to social, cultural and historical contexts will be achieved by assessments: 2, 3
carry out research using a range of textual and electronic resources. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Study hours
9 x 1-hour lectures
9 x 1-hour seminars
5 x 1-hour workshops
77 hours seminar and workshop preparation
50 hours short paper and essay preparation
Description of Module Assessment
01: Short Paper weighted 30%
1000-word, close-reading-based essay
An exercise to develop skills in integrating close-reading of texts with broader arguments, in preparation for the long essay
02: Essay weighted 60%
2000-word essay
Long essay chosen from a series of questions. Written feedback given on the essay cover-sheet pro forma, and oral feedback given, if requested, in consultation hours.
03: Class Participation weighted 10%
Attendance and participation
Participation is assessed according to effort as well as academic ability; ie., evidence of preparation in response to set seminar topics, readiness to apply the preparation positively in class discussion, and quality of contributions. Tutor will keep a weekly record to support marks awarded.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

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