British Modernism

DESCRIPTION:
Critical study of major British authors of the period 1910-1939 focusing on the interrelation between the texts and the cultural context of the literary movement of Modernism.

RATIONALE: 
This course offers a systematic study of modernist texts within the context of major historical, intellectual, and socio-economic events that produced one of the most significant literary movements in England in the twentieth century. One Modernism course, British or American, is a requirement for English literature students.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Analyse the traits, textual and contextual, of literary Modernism in Britain;
2. Explore the modernist reaction to traditional literary and cultural structures through close textual analysis;
3. Discuss the impact of major socio-political, intellectual and cultural trends on Modernist literature;
4. Define and discuss formal experimentation in fiction and in poetry of the period;
5. Demonstrate ability to collect and select appropriate secondary material on an aspect of modernism, and use the research material in support of textual analysis of representative works of Modernism.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
• Lectures, class discussions, workshop-style pair work and group work during class meetings;
• Formative exercises and online learning tasks through the Blackboard online tools designed to help students acquire confidence and benefit from independent study;
• Additional print and audiovisual educational material posted on the Blackboard course template;
• Timely instructor feedback on assignments;
• Other relevant educational material placed on reserve in the library;
• Individualized assistance during office hours for further discussion of lecture material, additional reading, assignments and examinations;
• Close collaboration with the Library and SASS to encourage students’ effective use of academic support services;
• Discussion of disciplinary research methods and tools to facilitate the completion of assigned research projects.