Program Overview

Literature in Context Module

The Literature in Context module, coded as EN21004, is a comprehensive exploration of literature from the Victorian era to Postmodernism. This module delves into the realms of poetry, drama, and fiction, providing students with a nuanced understanding of the development of English literature across different periods.

Module Details

• Credits: 20
• Module Code: EN21004
• Level: 2
• Semester: Semester 2
• School: School of Humanities Social Sciences and Law
• Discipline: Humanities

Module Description

This module offers an in-depth examination of key texts that exemplify how writers respond to the accelerating social, political, and cultural changes of their time. By exploring how different kinds of fiction, poetry, and drama develop from earlier traditions and movements, students will gain insight into the literary modes of the Victorian period to the contemporary era. The module focuses on the themes of industrialisation, urbanisation, technology and media, war, empire, decolonisation, and movements for racial, social, and gender equality.

What You Will Learn

In this module, students will:

• Learn about the development of English literature from the Victorian era to the present
• Explore the historical, cultural, and social factors that have shaped the writing of this period
• Read poetry, short stories, novels, and plays from a diverse group of authors

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Explain how historical, cultural, and social factors have shaped the writing of this period
• Analyse a range of texts from different genres
• Assess authorial responses to a changing world

Assignments / Assessment

The assessment for this module consists of:

• Essay - 1,500 words (40%)
• Essay - 2,500 words (60%)

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching Methods / Timetable

The teaching methods include:

• Two weekly lectures
• 1-hour workshop, every two weeks

Courses

This module is available on the following undergraduate courses:

• English and Psychology MA (Hons)
• English and Creative Writing MA (Hons)
• English and Philosophy MA (Hons)
• English and Politics MA (Hons)
• English and Film Studies MA (Hons)
• English and History MA (Hons)
• English with Spanish MA (Hons)
• English and Mathematics MA (Hons)
• English MA (Hons)
• English and European Languages MA (Hons)
• English with French MA (Hons)