2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL5756M Fictions of Citizenship in Contemporary American Literature

30 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Dr Hamilton Carroll
Email: h.e.m.carroll@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module introduces students to a broad range of contemporary US literature from a variety of ethnic traditions. It examines the stylistic, formal, and thematic innovations of a range of novels in relation to the key concepts of citizenship and national belonging that animate much late-twentieth and early-twenty-first century American literature. The module grounds students in a range of critical debates in both American Studies and American Literary Studies.

Objectives

Fictions of Citizenship in Contemporary American Literature aims to inculcate a critical understanding of a range of novel-length literary texts through a combination of seminar discussion, close reading and essay writing; and to gain an understanding of the relationships between contemporary narrative forms and broader socio-political trends in contemporary US politics and culture. The module aims to equip students with the critical skills to gain insights in and knowledge of
• stylistic and formal developments in literature
• the influence of historical, political, and cultural contexts
• engagement with relevant scholarship on literature, national identity, and political culture.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
1. Show advanced capacity for close reading, critical thinking, and argument.
2. Analyse literary engagement with wider socio-political contexts
3. Evaluate wider scholarship and debate around contemporary US literary culture.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Conduct independent research, gathering information from a range of sources, and engaging in good academic practice in referencing their sources.

2. Produce independent arguments demonstrating advanced proficiency in critical thinking and writing skills.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			280.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided weekly in seminars and in response to weekly seminar preparation, informally captured through a shared document. Students will be invited to consultation hours to obtain feedback on their plans for the final assessment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	4,000-word essay	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/01/2024

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