Semesters
ENG142N Literature, culture and society after 1900
Higher Education Entrance Qualification with grade 4 or equivalent from upper secondary school.
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 works of literature in English will be an advantage.
In accordance with the national qualification framework, the student will have acquired the following learning outcomes upon completing the course:
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
Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:
- analyse and evaluate modern literary texts in English, applying standard methods of literary analysis
- assess and interpret the significance of 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
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
Teaching takes place online through the Learning Management System Canvas. Lessons are published on a weekly basis and can be accessed by the student in their own time. Each lesson addresses a particular topic and consists of a combination of written material, sound and video files, and discussion forums. There are also some non-obligatory live seminars on Zoom. For these seminars, students should have access to a computer microphone and a web-camera.
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:
- a short vocational assignment that involves presenting the culture of the modern English-speaking world to a broad audience (this may involve peer review)
- a history and society assignment (1000 words)
- 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.
Exams will be assessed in accordance with the regulations for admissions, studies and exams at Volda University College, § 5-11
The course will be evaluated in accordance with Volda University College’s routines for quality assurance.
- English - year course (net-based, part time)
- English one-year course (net-based)
- History - bachelor (net-based)
- Religion and Culture - bachelor (net-based)
| Assessment Form | Grouping | Duration | Grading scale | Proportion | Comment | Support Materials | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Home exam | Individual | 6 Hours | A-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade | This is a home exam | This exam consists of three parts: a history 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 |