ENG-30053 - 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

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

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 emphasises an interrogative, reflexive and eclectic challenge to many philosophical and aesthetic values and practices. On this module, students will explore the relevance and meaning of some of the ideas associated with postmodernism with respect to selected novels and films. Students will assess the influence of key ideas on writers and directors and they 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 10¿ Chapters; Jeanette Winterson, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit; Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go; Zadie Smith, NW; 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).

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: 1,2
discuss and write at an advanced level on the complexity of literary and filmic language: 1,2
apply, critically, challenging concepts in the analysis of literary and filmic texts: 1,2
use advanced interpretative and analytical skills in the analysis of literary and filmic texts: 1,2
assess the value of different critical approaches: 1,2
consider the place of literature and film within transformations of culture, aesthetic value and representation: 1,2

Study hours

20 hours seminars
20 hours seminar/workshop preparation
70 hours reading primary and secondary texts
10 hours working on short paper assessment
30 hours working on essay

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment