School of Humanities  
 
 
AMS-20064 The Romance of Fiction: History and Society in Nineteenth Century American Literature  
Co-ordinator: Prof Ian Bell    Room: CBB1.043, Tel:33012  
Teaching Team: Mrs Jayne  Braddick, Mrs Amanda  Porritt, Dr James  Peacock, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts,  Jo  Gill  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 2 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
American Studies Dual Honours (Level 2)
American Studies Minor (Level 2)
American Studies Single Honours (Level 2)
English with Creative Writing Single Honours (Level 2)
English Single Honours (Level 2)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Barred Combinations
None
Prerequisites
None
Description

This module analyses the major form of the American novel in the Nineteenth Century, defined as 'Romance' to distinguish it from the European novel which expresses itself predominantly in realistic form. Congruent with political and social ambitions for democracy, the 'Romance' suggests liberations of various kinds, principally a freedom from the constraints of too close an allegiance with the visible world, and as an alternative, proposes an arena of imaginative free-play which questions the seeming givens of that visibility. Here, the form is strongly bound up with providing alternative views and understandings of history.
Aims
The module introduces students to the work of some of the major canonical writers of the Nineteenth Century. 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.
Intended Learning Outcomes
analyse and discuss the work of major canonical writers of American novels in the Nineteenth Century. will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
define the genre/tradition of the 'Romance' and analyse underlying ideas and literary strategies. will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
describe and evaluate basic features of mult-disciplinary scholarship (literary, historical and/or political) relating to study of the United States during the Nineteenth Century will be achieved by assessments: 01,03
describe and analyse basic features of the social, historical, and political identity of the United States in the Nineteenth Century will be achieved by assessments: 03
relate textual analysis to social, cultural and historical contexts will be achieved by assessments: 02,03
employ the basic bibliographical, referencing, and presentation requirements of the core disciplines will be achieved by assessments: 03
- will be achieved by assessments: -
Study hours
11 x 2-hour seminars; 11 x 4-hour seminar preparation; 34 hours assignment preparation; 50 hours exam preparation and private study
Description of Module Assessment
01: Short Paper weighted 30%
Exercise in close textual analysis of 1,000-1,500 words
Students will carry out a detailed close reading of an extract from one of the texts featured in the first few weeks of the module. The module will be taught by weekly two-hour seminars. Feedback will be given on the Short Paper (submitted in Week 7) inone-to-0ne sessions in Week 9.
02: 2 Hour Exam weighted 60%
End of Semester Exam
Unseen 2-hour examination, in which students will be required to answer two questions from a choice of ca. 10 concerning thematic issues on the module
03: Class Participation weighted 10%
Seminar participation
Assesses general quality of contributions, as well as teamwork and time management in seminars and workshops
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

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