AMS-40040 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Enrolment on MA in English Literatures

Barred Combinations

AMS-30038

Description for 2020/21

The module aims to study the social, cultural, psychological, medical, philosophical, and aesthetic dimensions of works dealing with three decades of American history that are concerned with a range of intoxicants - alcohol, heroin, LSD, and peyote.
Rather than taking a biographical approach (which might, for example, focus on the role of drink in the writing of the Lost Generation), the module focuses on representations of individuals or groups involved in sub- and counter-cultural use of mind-altering and/or addictive substances. The first half of the module focuses on addiction, the second half on the relationship between pharmacological and aesthetic experimentation.
The emphasis on studying formal features of texts also includes comparative analysis of Hollywood adaptations and films. The module is suitable for those who have already studied literature although experience of studying film would be an advantage.
Students will be expected to buy their own copies of all the set books and to read widely for the research-based long essay.

To study the social, cultural, psychological, medical, philosophical, and aesthetic dimensions of works dealing with three decades of American history that are concerned with a range of intoxicants - alcohol, heroin, LSD, and peyote.
To develop and demonstrate advanced level analysis of literary texts in relation to American wartime and postwar culture, including film.
To identify and analyse the relationship between drug states and experiments in aesthetic form.

Intended Learning Outcomes

situate sub- and counter-cultural groups to broader social, psychological, medical, philosophical, and cultural issues in wartime and postwar American culture; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
relate literary and filmic representations to wartime and postwar American culture to an advanced level; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
critically analyse the aesthetic dimensions of a range of textual representations to an advanced level. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2

Study hours

30 hours, comprising 11 x 2-hour seminars taught for AMS-30038 + 4 x 2-hour tutorials designed for MA students; 120 hour reading and seminar preparation; 120 hours essay research and writing; 30 hours preparation for presentation.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment