Contemporary Novel in English

Description
Contemporary novel in English contributes to the consolidation of the academic-professional profile of Modern Languages students by providing a comprehensive approach to 20th century narrative writing in English, both in the British Isles and English speaking countries.

It explores the development of the contemporary novel in English by focusing on two important periods for the development of the English narrative: the 1920's or the so called Modernist literature; and the post-war period that yields to the decolonization process and the beginning of postcolonial movements. One quarter of the world population live in one of the 54 countries once colonised by Great Britain. They share a fairly recent colonial history and the often violent consequences of the decolonization process. But above all this, they share a common language: English. This course intends to explore some expressions of colonial and post-colonial literatures in English, as well as the circumstances that helped shape these texts as expressions of a complex and multilayered reality.

Pre-requisites
Very good command of the English language (C1 MCER) and in-depth knowledge of the tools and techniques of social, narratological, and cultural analysis

Contents
1. INTRODUCTION: THE ENGLISH NOVEL AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY
2. MODERNISM AND EMPIRE
2.1. JOSEPH CONRAD AN OUTPOST OF PROGRESS
3. THE EMPIRE WRITES BACK. POSTCOLONIAL FICTION AND ENGLISHNESS
3.1. CHINUA ACHEBE THINGS FALL APART
3.2. JEAN RHYS WIDE SARGASSO SEA
3.3. BESSIE HEAD "THE COLLECTOR OF TREASURES"
3.4. BHARATI MUKHERJEE "THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HSO"
 

Methodology
The aforementioned competences will be acquired and perfected by means of the following activities to be carried out in the classroom and at home:
- Short introductory lectures on key aspects of novel writing in the 20th century.
-Close-reading of texts
- Short take home assignments and in-class discussions about significant aspects of the selected literary pieces.
-Academic paper writing on a selected topic
-Reading of primary and secondary sources and in-class discussion
- Short multiple-choice exercises to check whether the materials are being read and the discussions in class properly followed by the students.
- Group working and presentation delivery. Some team research work will be assigned.
-Film viewing of literary adaptations on screen.
- Final paper writing.

Assessment
The assessment of the students' work will be progressive and formative. It will include the following components:
1. Class discussion and participation: 20% (it includes regular attendance, active participation and completion of short day to-day assignments, including updated readings and discussion material).
2. Mid-term paper: 20% (it will be assessed according to the "Paper-writing Guide" that will be handed out at the beginning of the course).
3. Group presentation: 20% (credit will be given for contents and organization, originality, use of English, delivery, and documentation).
4. Final written examination: 40% (coherence, focused issue, organization and relevance of ideas, argumentation and development, use of written English, critical and insightful remarks, originality).