EN2MOD-Modernism in Poetry and Fiction

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: English Part 1 or A-Level (A*, A or B)
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Mark Nixon
Email: m.nixon@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module examines the concepts of modernity and modernism, and relates them to the history of early twentieth-century poetry and fiction. Experimentation and innovation in poetic and narrative form are explored as responses to wider social upheaval and cultural movements.

Aims:
The module aims to develop students£ knowledge and critical understanding of early twentieth-century writing and its cultural contexts, focusing on the study of selected works of modern English, American, and Irish poetry and fiction.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

£ Analyse distinctive features of the set texts
£ Identify and discuss some of the features of literary modernism against its contexts £ cultural, social, and political
£ Organize and articulate a coherent written argument, both in coursework essays and under timed examination conditions

Additional outcomes:
Oral and written communication skills will be developed, together with critical, interpretative and analytical abilities. Students will also enhance their IT competence through the use of relevant web resources in a critically informed manner.

Outline content:
The lecture strand of the module will provide cultural, and historical, contextual material relating to the period of £High Modernism£, c.1900-1939. The set texts for the poetry strand may include work by Yeats, Eliot, Pound and Mina Loy; and for the fiction strand novels by Lawrence, Woolf, Joyce and Rhys.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
A combination of lectures and structured seminar discussion, for which students are required to do preparatory reading. Students are also entitled to a half-hour tutorial on their formative essay. With the consent of the module convenor, students may also undertake a placement, through which they will learn how to apply the knowledge and skills gained in studying for this module in a professional context outside the University.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20	1
Seminars		10
Tutorials		0.5
Practicals classes and workshops			2
Guided independent study:		129.5	37
Total hours by term	0	160	40
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Examination (50%), to be sat during the Summer Term.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessed essay (50%), to be submitted at the end of week 11, Spring Term.

Formative assessment methods:

Students write one formative essay, of approximately 2000 words. Feedback will also be provided on the assessed essay of 2000 words, or the equivalent placement report. Feedback on written exams will be available on request from the Director of Teaching and Learning.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of at least 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in August. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be resubmitted in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022