EN4419 American Fiction: Self and Nation (1865 - 1939)

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

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

Friday 2-4pm

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

Module coordinator

Dr S M McDermott

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

Module Staff

Dr Kristen Treen

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

Module description

The module provides an introduction to American fiction through the chronological study of ten texts published between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the Second World War. The module encourages students to reflect on what is distinctive about 'the American novel', to develop knowledge of the way in which this term had changed, and to encounter some examples of the rich variety of American fiction. The module also encourages students to develop an understanding of the socio-political contexts of these texts: students will be encouraged to evaluate the relationship between historical events such as Reconstruction, the 'Jazz Age', and the Depression and the development of the American novel. (Group E)

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS EN2003 AND PASS EN2004

Assessment pattern

Exam = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

exam = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

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

Scheduled learning hours

20

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

280

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Discuss critically a range of novels and aesthetic debates of the period 1865-1939.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the representation of American identity in fiction of this period, along with an insight into the history and definition of 'the American novel.'
  • Use historicist methods, combining close reading with an understanding of historical and social contexts.
  • Demonstrate skills in independent research, writing and critical argument.