Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Postmodernism represents an important body of critical theory that developed in the second half of the twentieth century, and continues to have relevance in the twenty-first. It crosses a range of disciplines, but emphasises an interrogative, reflexive and eclectic challenge to many philosophical and aesthetic values and practices. On this module, students will explore the relevance and meaning of some of the ideas associated with postmodernism with respect to selected novels and films. Students will assess the influence of key ideas on writers and directors and they will study the main themes and techniques used in postmodern fiction and film. The module also encourages a critically-informed assessment of the implications of postmodern thinking for contemporary notions of history, identity, sexuality, politics and consumer society. Fiction and film likely to be studied on the module include Julian Barnes, A History of the World in 10¿ Chapters; Jeanette Winterson, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit; Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go; Ali Smith, How To Be Both; The Hours (dir. Stephen Daldry); The Company of Wolves (dir. Neil Jordan); The Matrix (dir. Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski); and Mulholland Drive (dir. David Lynch).
Aims
To examine the relationship between selected fiction, film and postmodern theory.To develop an understanding of influential theoretical ideas in postmodernism.To study the generic and stylistic features of recent writing and film.To encourage critical analysis of literary, filmic and theoretical material and reflection on the practice of criticism.
Intended Learning Outcomes
discuss and write confidently on the ideas, techniques and developments associated with postmodernism as well as the major concepts advanced by relevant literary and cultural theories: 1,2discuss and write at an advanced level on the complexity of literary and filmic language: 1,2apply, critically, challenging concepts in the analysis of literary and filmic texts: 1,2use advanced interpretative and analytical skills in the analysis of literary and filmic texts: 1,2assess the value of different critical approaches: 1,2consider the place of literature and film within transformations of culture, aesthetic value and representation: 1,2
24 hours seminars12 hours lectures/workshops20 hours seminar/workshop preparation54 hours reading primary and secondary texts10 hours working on short paper assessment30 hours working on essay
Description of Module Assessment
1: Essay weighted 80%A 3,000 word essayStudents choose one question from a list of 8-10. The essay will require students to reflect on aspects of postmodern theory and apply them to a selected novel or film.
2: Short Paper weighted 20%A 1200-word analysis of a an extract form a critical theoryStudents will choose to discuss one from a choice of three extracts from different theories related to postmodernism. They will be asked to apply this theory to an extract of prose fiction. Feedback will offered on this exercise that will feed into the other pieces of assessment.