EN4413 Reading the 1940s

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

Thursday 15.00-17.00

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof G Plain

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Professor Gill Plain

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module offers students the opportunity to study the literature, film and culture of an under- explored decade. The 1940s was a period of unprecedented social and political change, and the course will consider the diversity of writing and representation that emerged from this complex context. Issues of particular concern might include responses to the Second World War, the construction of national identity, class politics, gender roles, the impact of the welfare state, the ?golden age? of British cinema, the ?end of empire? and the onset of the cold war. Students will acquire familiarity with a range of writing and film produced in the 1940s. They should develop an understanding of the historical context of the decade, and of contemporary ideas and attitudes. They should be able to analyse cultural constructions such as class, gender and national identity, and should be confident in discussing both film and literary texts. They will gain experience in independent research and will continue to develop a range of practical and presentational skills, both written and oral.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS EN2003 AND PASS EN2004

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 60%, 2-Hour Written Examination = 40%

Re-assessment

exam = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 lecture and 1 seminar, and 2 optional consultative hours.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate familiarity with a range of writing and film produced in the 1940s.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the historical context of the decade, and of contemporary ideas and attitudes.
  • Analyse cultural constructions such as class, gender and national identity, in both film and literary texts.
  • Demonstrate a range of practical and presentational skills, both written and oral.