ENG2334 - American Literature in the Fifties and Sixties
Course content
The course focuses on American literature during a very exciting time of transition, the period between 1950 and 1970. This was a breakthrough period for important minority groups in American society, both in terms of politics and in the field of literature. At the same time, the prevalence of social criticism in fiction, poetry, and drama was made even more visible by the anti-communist hysteria (McCarthyism), the flowering of the counterculture (especially represented by the members of the Beat Generation), and the growing protest against the Vietnam War. Many of the novels on our reading list (like Catch-22 and On the Road) have later become cult classics.
Learning outcome
After completing this course you will have:
- developed a broad insight into the literary and ideological landscape that dominated American culture in the fifties and sixties, through the discussion of a set of representative and challenging texts.
- developed your critical reading and writing skills through individual and group work.
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Id does not exist in shared textRecommended previous knowledge
It will be an advantage for the students if they have taken ENG1304 - American Literature, an introduction, the survey course in American literature, but this is not a requirement.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with ENG4374 - American Literature in the Fifties and Sixties, 5 credits overlap with ENG2311 - America in the Fifties and Sixties (Literature and Civilization) (discontinued) and 5 credits overlap with ENG4351 - America in the Fifties and Sixties (Literature and Civilization) (discontinued).Teaching
Seminar, 2 hours per week, for 10 weeks, 20 hours in all.
The course has obligatory attendance (80%). Additional absences must be justified by documentation to the exam coordinator. Read more about guidelines for compulsory activities.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
The course uses portfolio assessment, where the portfolio consists of a five-page essay on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with the teacher, and a final two-hour classroom exam.
The electronic "Fuskeskjema" (the non-plagiarism form) should also be filled in when you submit your essay. http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ilos/Oblig-statement-cheating.rtf.
Examination support material
Id does not exist in shared textEnglish-English dictionary.
Language of examination
Id does not exist in shared textEnglish
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.
Resit an examination
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam.
Withdrawal from an examination
A student may sit this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.