Subject description for 2022/2023

American Fiction Since 1945

SP229L

Discover how politics, paranoia, and postmodernism have shaped American fiction since 1945. This class uses contemporary American literature as a basis of discussion of these crucial themes.

Course description

American Fiction since 1945 is an in-depth review and examination of central works of American literature in the period from the end of WWII until the present day. By focusing on a large selection of writings in several prose genres, as well as related secondary criticism, students will gain new appreciation for key writers as well as a clearer understanding of their place in the developing canon of American literature.

Admission

Acceptance into the Bachelor of English program or English One-Year program with adequate course progression (at least 45 ECTS passed). The course is also open to international exchange students at Nord University.

Prerequisites

Acceptance into the Bachelor of English program or English One-Year program with adequate course progression (at least 45 ECTS passed). The course is also open to international exchange students at Nord University.

Costs

Semester fee and course litterature.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge:

  • Familiarity with and contextual background for selected works of fiction and non-fiction by American writers since 1945.
  • Broad-based knowledge of central American authors's biographies, secondary criticism, and their respective contributions to the Postmodern period of literature.

Skills:

  • Reading widely with an aesthetic and critical gaze with the purpose of making relevant comparisons and judgments about American fiction in the post-war period.
  • Ability to reflect critically upon texts in several genres and come to independent and relevant scholarly conclusions, using secondary references where appropriate;
  • Placing works by American writers into a larger socio-historical context, and more specifically into the framework/timeline of American literary Postmodernism.

General Competencies:

  • Engagement with the course material in an independent and critical context;
  • Development of a more sophisticated written and oral English.

Course type

Compulsory.

Teaching activities and methods

On-campus, seminar-based instruction. The teaching will be part lectures, part seminars and there will also be time for tutoring outside of class. Quizzes and other learning activities must be attempted, but not necessarily approved, to count as approved.

Recommended prior knowledge

It is recommended that students have taken the English One-Year Program or a similar introductory survey program, including a class in research and writing, before proceeding with a more-advanced class.

Course evaluation

Evaluation using mid-term and final surveys. Students are also encouraged to participate in the central quality surveys.

Exam description

OD: 85% attendance required (approved/not approved);

AK: 8 quizzes, 1 writing activity, and 1 group activity (approved/not approved);

HJ (100%, graded A-F): a two-week home exam on a relevant topic.

Compulsory participation and assessment tasks must be approved to receive the final grade.

Assessment and examinations

Compound assessment, grading scale Letter grades
  • Compulsory participation, comprises 0/100 of the grade, grading scale Approved/ Not approved.
  • Assessment tasks, comprises 0/100 of the grade, grading scale Approved/ Not approved.
  • Take- home examination, individual, 14 days, comprises 100/100 of the grade, grading scale Letter grades.

Course literature

Follow this link for reading list and academic resources
Course coordinator
Start semester Autumn 2022
Teaching language English ECTS Credits 10 Course location Bodø. Faculty
The Faculty of Education and Arts