EL4070 - Contemporary British Literature

[Offered in even-numbered years]

An advanced study of British literature in the last twenty years, this subject is intended to shed light on the fiction, poetry and drama of a country with an overwhelmingly rich literary heritage but an uncertain place in the world. The subject will also involve writing of other kinds e.g. autobiography, travel-writing and literary criticism.

Learning Outcomes

• a sense of the British literary establishment, its ideological allies and opponents;
• a thorough understanding of the set texts both in themselves, in relation to the British literary tradition and in the context of recent social developments in that country;
• an awareness of the different perspectives on contemporary literature that emerge in different English-speaking countries;
• an understanding of the new place of minority literatures in British culture.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.