COURSE UNIT TITLE

: MID-TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICAN POETRY AND PROSE

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
AKE 4048 MID-TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICAN POETRY AND PROSE ELECTIVE 3 0 0 5

Offered By

American Culture and Literature

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

DOCTOR CARL JEFFREY BOON

Offered to

American Culture and Literature

Course Objective

This course examines in detail some of the key texts of the American mid-twentieth century, looking at both poetic and prose texts whileworking towards an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which these writings werepublished. As well as understanding the set texts students should also add to their understanding of this crucial period in the development of American literature. The course will feature a particular emphasis on the mental and spiritual torment of many mid-century writers.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   Demonstrate knowledge of the authors and texts addressed on the course as well as the key theoretical issues related to study of the mid-twentieth-century.
2   Critically analyse texts of the period
3   Think about the points of connection and disconnection between prose and poetry in this place and period.
4   Develop critical thinking
5   Develop critical writing

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Introduction `Sex, Drugs and Buddhism Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
2 J.D. Salinger, `A Perfect Day for Bananafish Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
3 The Beats Allen Ginsberg, Howl and Other Poems Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
4 The Beats Allen Ginsberg, Howl and Other Poems Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
5 The Beats Allen Ginsberg, `Kaddish Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
6 The Beats Jack Kerouac, Dharma Bums Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
7 The Beats Jack Kerouac, Dharma Bums, Gary Snyder, `A Berry Feast Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
8 MIDTERM
9 Confessionalism Robert Lowell, `Skunk Hour , `For the Union Dead Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
10 Confessionalism Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
11 Confessionalism Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
12 The New York School Frank O Hara, Lunch Poems, `Personism: A Manifesto Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
13 The New York School Frank O Hara, Lunch Poems, `Personism: A Manifesto Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
14 The New York School John Ashbery, `Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror Lecture, Discussion, Text Analysis
15 FINAL

Recomended or Required Reading

Textbook(s): Allen Ginsberg, Howl and Other Poems (City Lights), Kaddish and Other Poems (City Lights)
Jack Kerouac, Dharma Bums (Penguin)
Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar (Faber)
Frank O Hara, Lunch Poems (City Lights)

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Lectures
Discussion
Textual Analysis
Student Presentations
Small group work

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MTE MIDTERM EXAM
2 FIN FINAL EXAM
3 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.40 + FIN * 0.60
4 RST RESIT
5 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.40 + RST * 0.60


*** Resit Exam is Not Administered in Institutions Where Resit is not Applicable.

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

None

Assessment Criteria

Assessment will involve one mid-term examination and one final examination.In the examinations it is important that students achieve coherence of thought, understanding of course topics and contexts and synthesis of the ideas and topics on the course. There should be no plagiarism in any of these topics, and any students who do not submit any of these assessments will fail.

All students are expected to contribute coherently to class discussion and provide in depth and sensible analyses of the texts that we have read.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

To be announced.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

To be announced.

Office Hours

To be announced.

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 13 3 39
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 13 5 65
Preparation for midterm exam 1 5 5
Preparation for final exam 1 5 5
Final 1 1,5 2
Midterm 1 1,5 2
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 118

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10PO.11PO.12PO.13PO.14
LO.155335
LO.255335
LO.355335
LO.455335
LO.555335