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ENG426Arts3 Unitsintermediate

Twentieth Century English Literature

This course opens up ways in which the realities of the twentieth century shaped the literary works of the time. It explores how writers represented the events of the century and how the desire for change informed the innovative and experimental techniques of their literature. The course discusses the socio-political, historical realities, the relationship between the literature of the previous century and the twentieth century literature, writers' choice of style and themes. It introduces postmodernism.

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208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
ModernismPostmodernismTwentieth Century LiteratureEnglish LiteratureLiterary Theory

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Modernism

2

Postmodernism

3

Existentialism

4

War Poetry

5

Theatre of the Absurd

6

Feminism

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Literary Critic

Apply your skills in this growing field

Editor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Content Writer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Journalist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

PublishingEducationJournalismMediaContent Creation

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction to Modernism

3h

Unit 1: Britain, the Age of Change and the Old/New Literature

3 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Understand the socio-political and historical context of Britain during the age of change.
  • •Analyze the impact of the World Wars and new theories on literature.
  • •Identify the differences between traditional and modern literature.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction to Modernism

3h

Unit 2: Modernist Thematic Concerns, Styles and Techniques.

3 study hours
  • •Explore the thematic concerns of modernist writers, such as lack of communication and existentialism.
  • •Examine the styles and techniques used in modernist literature, including stream of consciousness.
  • •Analyze how modernist writers broke away from traditional literary forms.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction to Modernism

3h

Unit 3: Modernism, Post Modernism, and the Twentieth English Literature

3 study hours
  • •Compare and contrast modernism and postmodernism.
  • •Discuss the characteristics of literary postmodernism.
  • •Analyze how postmodernism replenished modernism.
Week
4

Module 1: Introduction to Modernism

3h

Unit 4: Post-Modernist Themes and Techniques

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the themes and techniques of postmodernist writing.
  • •Relate postmodernist themes and techniques to those of modernism.
  • •Differentiate between modernist and postmodernist approaches.
Week
5

Module 2: The Novel in the Twentieth Century English Literature

3h

Unit 1: Virginia Woolf: A Woman to the Fore

3 study hours
  • •Analyze Virginia Woolf's modernist inclinations.
  • •Identify modernist features in *Mrs. Dalloway*.
  • •Discuss the themes of trauma, communication, and society in the novel.
Week
6

Module 2: The Novel in the Twentieth Century English Literature

3h

Unit 2: D.H Lawrence and Vitality

3 study hours
  • •Discuss D.H. Lawrence's modernist inclinations.
  • •Identify modernist features in *Lady Chatterley's Lover*.
  • •Analyze the themes of class, sexuality, and vitality in the novel.
Week
7

Module 2: The Novel in the Twentieth Century English Literature

3h

Unit 3: Muriel Spark's *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie*

3 study hours
  • •Analyze Muriel Spark's *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie*.
  • •Discuss the themes of love, loyalty, and control in the novel.
  • •Identify postmodernist features in the novel.
Week
8

Module 2: The Novel in the Twentieth Century English Literature

3h

Unit 4: Kazuo Ishiguro's *The Remains of The Day*.

3 study hours
  • •Analyze Kazuo Ishiguro's *The Remains of The Day*.
  • •Discuss the themes of professionalism, dignity, and unrequited love.
  • •Identify postmodernist techniques in the novel.
Week
9

Module 3: Twentieth Century English Poetry

3h

Unit 1: T.S Eliot's "The Wasteland"

3 study hours
  • •Summarize T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land".
  • •Discuss the themes of death, rebirth, and alienation.
  • •Identify the techniques used in the poem, such as fragmentation and allusion.
Week
10

Module 3: Twentieth Century English Poetry

3h

Unit 2: W.H Auden's Pessimistic Poetry

3 study hours
  • •Relate W.H. Auden's personal life to his poetry.
  • •Analyze the themes of death, grief, and the futility of existence in "Stop All the Clocks, Cut Off the Telephone".
  • •Discuss Auden's use of imagery.
Week
11

Module 3: Twentieth Century English Poetry

3h

Unit 3: The Poetry of W.B Yeats

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the themes of change, war, and destruction in Yeats' "The Second Coming".
  • •Analyze Yeats' use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism.
  • •Relate Yeats' work to other modernist writers.
Week
12

Module 3: Twentieth Century English Poetry

3h

Unit 4: Wilfred Owen's "Anthem for Doomed Youth"

3 study hours
  • •Discuss Wilfred Owen's "Anthem for Doomed Youth" as war poetry.
  • •Analyze the themes of violence, death, and waste.
  • •Compare and contrast the poetry of W.B. Yeats and Wilfred Owen.
Week
13

Module 4: Twentieth Century English Drama

3h

Unit 1: Samuel Beckett's Theatre of the Absurd

3 study hours
  • •Discuss Samuel Beckett's *Waiting for Godot* and the Theatre of the Absurd.
  • •Analyze the themes of existentialism and friendship.
  • •Examine the use of symbolism in the play.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of major literary movements and authors.

2

Develop a glossary of key literary terms and concepts.

3

Practice analyzing literary texts using different critical approaches.

4

Focus on understanding the historical and cultural context of each work.

5

Review all course materials, including assigned readings, lecture notes, and assignments.

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