A2MP_SOBR Contemporary British literature

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2018
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Zdeněk Janík, M.A., Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Jiří Šalamoun, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Lucie Podroužková, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
A2MP_SOBR/Kombi01: Fri 21. 9. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Fri 12. 10. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Fri 26. 10. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Fri 9. 11. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Fri 23. 11. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Fri 7. 12. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Z. Janík, J. Šalamoun
A2MP_SOBR/Kombi02: Fri 5. 10. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Fri 19. 10. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Fri 2. 11. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Fri 16. 11. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Fri 30. 11. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Fri 14. 12. 12:00–14:50 učebna 54, Z. Janík, J. Šalamoun
A2MP_SOBR/Prez03: Mon 11:00–13:50 učebna 57, Z. Janík, J. Šalamoun
Prerequisites
Students are familiar with the development of British literature till the beginning of the 20th century, possess advanced reading skills and are familiar with the methods of close reading and textual analysis. Students are comfortable with reading English texts in the original and engage in the said practice.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course examines the development of British literature since 1945 on the background of historical, social and cultural events. In the seminars we will explore major writers and literary movements of the period as well as recurrent themes and motifs in the assigned readings. At the end of the course students will be able to identify major figures of British literature of the 20th century, make their own connections between the assigned reading and also question and actively interpret them as well as create their own critical evaluation. Throughout the semester students are encouraged to link theory in the classroom to practice at schools via practical tasks.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
1) identify and describe four major trends of postwar British literature and understand their relationship to British society and culture
2) understand and frame literary works as a form of social commentary which responds to specific social and cultural occurrences
3) develop your skills in analytical reading and proposal writing
4) research, prepare, and deliver a presentation which meets the requirements of the State Exam in literature.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction: course format and requirements.
  • 2. British stereotypes, Britishness and culture shock.
  • 3. Postmodernism: the other story.
  • 4. East or West: UK ethnic writers.
  • 5. Gritty city: urban issues.
  • 6. Identity quest: Devolution.
  • 7. The woman´s hour: women writers.
  • 8. Modern disease: miscommunication.
  • 9. Nature or nurture: education matters.
  • 10. Student presentations I
  • 11. Student presentations II
  • 12. Credit test.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • SANDERS, Andrew. The short Oxford history of English literature. Third edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, vii, 756. ISBN 9780199263387. info
    not specified
  • The contemporary British novel. Edited by James Acheson - Sarah C. E. Ross. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2005, iv, 250 p. ISBN 0748618953. info
  • Dark humor and social satire in the modern British novel. Edited by Lisa Colletta. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003, 154 p. ISBN 1403963657. info
  • The Longman anthology of British literature. Edited by David Damrosch - Kevin J. H. Dettmar - Jennifer Wicke. 2nd ed. New York: Longman, 2002, xxiii, s. ISBN 032110580X. info
  • BRADBURY, Malcolm. The modern British novel. London: Penguin Books, 1994, xvi, 515. ISBN 014023098X. info
  • MASSIE, Allan. The novel today : a critical guide to the British novel, 1970-1989. London: Longman, 1990, vi, 97. ISBN 0582004071. info
  • MEISEL, Perry. The myth of the modern :a study in British literature and criticism after 1850. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987, x, 263 s. ISBN 0-300-03946-8. info
  • MORRIS, Robert K. Continuance and change : the contemporary British novel sequence. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1972, xx, 164. ISBN 0809305445. info
  • BURGESS, Anthony. English literature : a survey for students. London: Longman, 1958, 278 p. ISBN 0582552249. info
  • MANLY, John Matthews, Fred Benjamin MILLETT and Edith RICKERT. Contemporary British literature : a critical survey and 232 author-bibliographies. 3rd rev. and enl. ed. / base. London: Harcourt, Brace, 1935, xi, 556 p. info
Teaching methods
Discussion, small group work, lecture, in class writing exercises.
Assessment methods
Literature part:
Participation in collaborative learning and discussion based activities (26%)
Think & reflect in-class papers (20%)
Short in-class presentation on recent articles/videos related to readings (10%)
Mock state exam presentation (44%).

Culture and social part:
A final quiz.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2018, recent)
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