American Literature in the Long Twentieth Century (T7062)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

This module introduces texts by American writers produced between 1890 and 2001.

We'll analyse the workings of class, gender, race, sexual identity, technology, capital and economy in these texts. Through this, we’ll explore issues associated with American modernity and its cultural logic as expressed in modernist, realist, post-modern, poetic and other literary texts.

You’ll observe the different ways that writers tackle or avoid important economic and social questions of the period.

We'll examine how important socio-economic developments shape the stylistic and thematic fabric of these works, such as:

• the rise of industrialisation and urbanisation
• war
• consumer culture
• the internet
• the Cold War
• neoliberalism
• feminism
• ideas of national and personal identity.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.