Semesters

ENG142 Literature, culture and society after 1900

Course code: 
ENG142
Duration: 
1 semester
Credits (ECTS): 
15
Level of study: 
Foundation level (bachelor’s degree level)
Teaching semester: 
2024 Autumn
Assessment semester: 
2024 Autumn
Language of instruction: 
English
Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Course content

This course provides an introduction to the literature, culture and society of the English-speaking world since 1900. It covers a broad selection of events, texts and other social and cultural phenomena from the United States, Britain and other former British colonies, and it equips the student with the skills required to understand, analyse and assess this material.

Previous experience in reading longer literary texts in English, along with a good grade in English from Upper Secondary School, will be an advantage in taking this course.

Learning outcome

In accordance with the national qualification framework, the student will have acquired the following learning outcomes upon completing the course:

Learning outcome knowledge

Upon completing the course, the student will have knowledge of:

  • some important formal and thematic traits of literature written in English since 1900
  • central aspects of history, culture and society in Great Britain, the USA and other English-speaking countries after 1900
  • basic techniques of literary, cultural and historical analysis
  • the interplay between social history, literature, art and culture in this period
  • how to write a good academic essay in English
Learning outcome skills

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • analyse and evaluate modern works of literature in English, applying standard methods of literary analysis
  • assess and interpret political and historical events in English-speaking countries after 1900
  • use digital resources to analyse literature, culture and society
  • compare and assess the interplay between literature, culture and society in this period
  • write structurally and stylistically assured essays in English
Learning outcome qualification

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • analyse, evaluate and present information in a critical and coherent manner 
  • write persuasively and effectively in academic English
  • present the culture of the English-speaking world to a broad audience
  • use digital resources in a critical and productive manner
Working and learning activities

Teaching is scheduled on a weekly basis. It takes the form of lectures, discussions, group work and individual study. 

Assessment requirements

Attendance requirement

The student must attend, and partcipate actively in, at least 75% of the scheduled classes

Course assignments

In order to be eligible to sit the exam, the student must also complete and have approved within the deadlines specified at the start of the semester the following three written assignments:

  1. a short vocational assignment that involves presenting the culture of the modern English-speaking world to a broad audience (this may involve peer review)
  2. a culture and society assignment (1000 words)
  3. a literature essay (1500 words)

If an assignment is not approved on the first hand-in, the student will be given the opportunity to submit a second time, usually within a very short deadline.

Evaluation system

Exams will be assessed in accordance with the regulations for admissions, studies and exams at Volda University College, § 5-11

Evaluation

The course will be evaluated in accordance with Volda University College’s routines for quality assurance.

Maximum number of students: 
50
Person in charge: 
Timothy Saunders
Used in other programs
  • English - Year Course
  • English - year course (part time)
  • History - bachelor
  • Language and Literature - bachelor
Assessment FormGroupingDurationGrading scaleProportionCommentSupport MaterialsScope
Digital examination
Individual
6 Hours
A-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade
100
This is a home exam
This exam consists of three parts: a culture and society assignment (34%); short questions about literature (33%); and a 1500-word literature essay (33%). The topics for the literature essay will be published on Canvas one week ahead of the exam
Approval signature: 
Arne Myklebust