ENG-40044 - 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

Students who have completed ENG-30053, 'Postmodernism: Fiction, Film and Theory' at Level 3 may not enrol for the Level 4 iteration of this module.

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 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. In addition, the module will encourage students to consider the cultural and aesthetic contexts of postmodernism with the aim to question whether it should be understood as a historical phenomenon related to the latter decades of the twentieth century or continues to have validity for fiction and film produced in the twenty-first. 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). Extended directed reading and viewing might include: Martin Amis, Other People (1981), Toni Morrison, Beloved (1987); Ian McEwan, Atonement (2001), Ali Smith, How to Be Both (2014), Orlando (dir. Sally Potter, 1992); Inception (dir. Christopher Nolan, 2012); Dogville (dir. Lars von Trier, 2003).

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

identify and assess critically the formal techniques used in a wide range of postmodern fiction and film: 1,2
identify and comment critically on a comprehensive range of stylistic and thematic trends in postmodern fiction and film: 1,2
develop and apply new skills and an advanced knowledge in textual analysis and intellectual argument and engagement
: 1,2
recognise and critically evaluate how the interpretation of texts is enhanced by knowledge of the historical contexts: 1,2
recognise, employ and critically evaluate a wide range of concepts and terms used in modern critical study such as formalism, postmodernism, postcolonialism, and gender studies: 1,2
communicate a critically informed sense of the research process and research findings to an advanced academic audience using a variety of written, oral and visual means: 1,2
demonstrate the ability to develop innovative findings and connections in a wide range of contemporary narrative fiction and film: 1,2
demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing programmes of research
: 1,2
examine closely a passage of relevant critical theory with respect to primary literary and filmic texts: 2

Study hours

Seminars (26 hours)
Seminar preparation and research (154 hours)
Assessment preparation and completion (120 hours)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment