Overview

Modern & Contemporary Writing introduces students to a range of British and Irish texts from the modern and contemporary period. It begins with modernist texts from the 1920s, before considering politically-engaged writing from the 1930s, and the emergence of postmodern literature in the years after the Second World War. The final part of the course considers more contemporary literature, including writing from a postcolonial perspective. The course asks students to investigate how literature across a range of genres responds to the broad historical trends and specific events of the age. These might include modernism, the political situation in the 1930s, post-War postmodernity, and postcolonialism. New and contemporary movements and traditions in British/Irish literature will be explored in the final part of the course. The module will also include visits from contemporary writers. These contemporary works will be used as springboards and inspiration for the students own creative work, and students will be encouraged to develop a critical sense of their creative work in its contemporary context.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -A 3rd class candidate’s work will show many of the following features:Limited engagement with ideas.Link between themes and form not always clear.Limited sense of formal conventions. Inconsistent with regard to linguistic technicalities.Limited awareness of redrafting and editing process. -good -A 2(i) candidate’s work will show many of the following qualities:Demonstration of a degree of vitality and originality.Very good understanding of generic conventions; sound use of structures and forms.Resourceful use of language.Sound understanding of the creative process and thoughtful control of decisions made in writing.Very good work, which at times comes close to publishable standard. -excellent -Typically, the work of a first class candidate will show many of the following qualities:Excellent levels of originality, vision and depth; striking and thorough engagement with ideas.Excellent understanding and control of form.Impressive linguistic control and/or innovation.Sophisticated understanding of the creative process and assured control of decisions made in writing.Dynamic work approaching publishable standard. -another level-A 2(ii) candidate’s work will show many of the following qualities:Some attempt at serious exploration of ideas.Some link between themes and form. Good attempt to engage with form, but this may not be entirely sustained.Use of language technically proficient, but not always focused.Some awareness of the creative process and of decisions made in writing.Good work, but its strengths need to be more fully sustained to reach publishable standard.

Learning Outcomes

• * Critically appreciate, analyse and interpret a range of literary texts in relation to postmodernity, contemporary and emerging movements and traditions • Examine patterns and variations in the literary response to the historical trends and events of the period

• • Construct a meaningful cultural and historical understanding of the period

• • Develop creative work that is aware of its contemporary context

• • Examine contemporary texts from the perspective of a particular critical concern or emerging trend

• • Reflect critically on the contemporary context of their creative work.

• • Select, digest and organise material and produce a consistent and coherent argument, presented in essay form, to a deadline.