National Open University of Nigeria Plot 91, Cadastral Zone, University
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National Open University of Nigeria Plot 91, Cadastral Zone, University Village, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Jabi, Abuja. ENG 426: TWENTIETH CENTURY ENGLISH LITERATURE Course Team: Course Developer/Writer: Dr. Folasade Hunsu Department of English Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. [email protected] Course Editor: Professor Abdul R. Yesufu National Open University of Nigeria Lagos. Course Co-ordinator: Dr. Felix Gbenoba Department of Languages National Open University of Nigeria Abuja. 1 ENG 426: TWENTIETH CENTURY ENGLISH LITERATURE Introduction This 3 credits unit course opens up ways in which the realities of the twentieth century shaped the literary works of the time. It shows how writers represented the events of the century and how the desire for change informed the innovative and experimental techniques of their literature. In order to help students understand the literature of the time, the socio- political, historical realities, the relationship between the literature of the previous century or era and the twentieth century literature especially, writers‘ choice of style and themes will be discussed. The course is divided into five modules of four units each. Modules 1-4 focus on modernist writings: modernist prose, drama and poetry while Module 5 briefly introduces postmodernism which came about towards the end of twentieth century. Using the Course Guide Students are to read the course guide so as to be familiar with what the course entails and requires. The course guide comprises the course description, course aims and objectives, expectations and requirements, among others. Most especially, the course guide contains the course modules and units. At the end of each unit there is at least one self- assessment question which helps the student to assess their grasp of the course content of each unit. Students are advised to note down the areas that appear knotty or unclear and seek for clarification in class or tutorials. The notes in this study guide do not make enough readings for a student to pass this course as it is not exhaustive of what the Twentieth Century English Literature is about. Students are advised to read literary texts, recommended textbooks and relevant critical materials. At the end of each module, there is a list of textbooks that could aid student‘s understanding of the course. Course Aims The aim of the course is to enable the students have a good grasp of the background, influences, novelty and traditions of Twentieth Century English Literature. For students to be well acquainted with these, the course aims at: (a) studying the socio- political as well as historical background of the period; (b) examining the influence of the socio- political and historical realities of the period on its writings; (c) studying relevant literary movements and ideologies that informed or influenced the literary works of the twentieth century; (d) examining the style and the themes of Twentieth Century English Literature; and (e) discussing the major works and/or writers of the period. Course Objectives 2 The course objectives are to: (a) reveal the impact of the World wars, science, and psychology on the twentieth century literature; (b) enable the students critically appreciate the literary works of the twentieth century; and (c) encourage independent reading and sharpen critical engagement of literary texts. Course Expectations and Requirements Expectations At the end of the course students are expected to - Have read the selected texts and consulted recommended texts so as to have the knowledge of the socio- political and historical realities that informed literary modernism and postmodernism and be able to identify the presence or absence of modernist and postmodernist styles and themes in selected literary texts - Have submitted two essays, a general test or assessment and exam paper - Have had at least 70% attendance in class. Requirements To pass this course the student must have - Had at least a pass, - Had a record of 70% attendance which will be necessary before a student is allowed to write the exam, - Be on time and participate in class discussions as this will be graded, - Written and submitted original essays on time, - Avoided plagiarism and/or intellectual theft. Completing Assignments and Writing Test or Examinations Essays should be submitted on or before the deadline, and the general test or assessment must be attended. In case of any emergency i.e. life threatening issues, get across to the tutor before the deadline or the date of the test with the proof of whatever the situation involves and the student should be ready to finish the essays and sit for the make- up test on the date the tutor might fix. Moral and Ethical Policies - Avoid plagiarism - Put off all cell phones - Students are advised to avoid noise making, and distractions in the class - Individual comportment and respect for the tutor as well as fellow students is compulsory In defying any of the above policies, the tutor will punish the student(s) accordingly and/or report to the appropriate authority. 3 Grading - Attendance and participation- 10% - First essay- 10% - Second essay- 10% - General Test/ Assessment- 10% - Exams- 60% Course Schedule Students are advised to consult the school and/ or department‘s timetable for course schedule. The HOC or the Class Representative should contact the tutor and/or course coordinator in time for any clash, postponement or make- up classes. Course Materials -Course guide - Course modules and units - Literary texts (novel, poetry, drama) - Textbooks and critical materials Course Modules and Units This course is divided into four modules. There are four units under each module which breaks down each module into bits that will enable the student to understand various aspects of the twentieth century English literature. In all, there are twenty units in this course. Below is the break- down of the modules. Module 1- Introduction to Modernism Unit 1: Britain, the Age of Change and the Old and the New Literature Unit 2: Modernist Thematic Concerns, Styles and Techniques. Unit 3: Modernism, Post Modernism, and the Twentieth English Literature Unit 4: Post-Modernist Themes and Techniques Module 2: The Novel in the Twentieth Century English Literature Unit 1: Virginia Woolf: A Woman at the Fore Unit 2: D.H Lawrence and Vitality Unit 3: Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Unit 4: Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of The Day. Module 3: Twentieth Century English Poetry Unit 1: T.S Eliot‘s ―The Wasteland‖ Unit 2: W.H Auden‘s Pessimistic Poetry Unit 3: W.B Yeats and Modernist Poetry Unit 4: Wilfred Owen‘s ―Anthem for Doomed Youth‖ 4 Module 4: Twentieth Century English Drama Unit 1: Samuel Beckett‘s Theatre of the Absurd Unit 2: George Bernard Shaw‘s Mrs Warren’s Profession Unit 3: Harold Pinter‘s The Homecoming Unit 4: T.S Eliot‘s Murder in the Cathedral Recommended Reading Primary Materials Prose Virginia Woolf-Mrs. Dalloway James Joyce-The Portrait of an Artist as A Youngman D. H Lawrence-Lady Chatterley’s Lover Graham Greene-The Power and the Glory Drama Samuel Beckett- Waiting For Godot George Bernard Shaw- Mrs. Warren’s Profession T.S Elliot- Murder in the Cathedral Harold Pinter‘s The Homecoming. Poetry T.S Eliot- ―The Wasteland‖ W.B Yeats ―Second Coming‖ W.H Auden‘s ―Stop all the Clocks, Cut the Telephones‖ Wilfred Owen‘s ―Anthem for Doomed Youth‖ Secondary Materials Graham, H.(1975).The Dark Sun: A Study of D.H Lawrence. Britain: Duckworth. Lukacs, G. (1973).―The Ideology of Modernism.‖Issues in Contemporary Criticism. Ed. Gregory T. Polleta. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. Pp 712-733. Matz, J. (2004).The Modern Novel: A Short Introduction. USA: Blackwell Publishing. Woolf, V. (1988).―Character in Fiction.‖The Essays of Virginia Woolf.Vol. 3.Ed. Andrew McNeilie. London: Hogarth Press. Pp 420-438. -----.(1969). ―Modern Fiction.‖Modern British Fiction: Essays in Criticism.Ed. Mark Schorer. London: Oxford UP. Pp 3-10. -----.(1988). ―Mr Bennett and Mrs Brown.‖The Essays of Virginia Woolf.Vol. 3.Ed. Andrew McNeilie. London: Hogarth Press. Pp 384-389. 5 Course Marking Scheme The following is an analysis of marks obtainable in this course Assessment Marks Assignments Four assignments of 10% each, out of which the best three are selected to make up 30% of the total marks Final Examination 70% of the total course marks Total 100% of course marks Facilitators/Tutors and Tutorials Fifteen tutorial hours are provided for in this course to enable the students and their tutors to meet and examine the contents of the course at intervals. You will be informed of the dates, time, and venue for these tutorials, along with the name and particulars of your tutor as soon as one is assigned to your group. Your tutor will grade and comment on your assignments, monitor your progress and provide answers to your questions during tutorials. You must submit your assignments in good time to enable your tutor to read them well and to make appropriate comments. Do not play with your tutorials or hesitate to consult your tutor when the need arises. Tutorials afford you opportunity to meet and discuss with your tutor face to face and they help you to get immediate answers to troubling questions. Apart from tutorials, you may consult your tutor when: • You do not understand any part of the study units; • You have difficulty understanding Self-Assessment Exercises or Tutor-Marked Assignment; • When you have problems with the tutor's comments on your assignments or their grading. To gain maximally from the tutorials, you ought to prepare a list of questions before attending them and you must endeavour to participate actively in discussions during tutorials. Summary This course deals with the history, socio-cultural milieu and major theories of the 20th Century English Literature.