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ENG4435 - The Lost Generation and the 1920s

Course content

This course focuses on the famous post-World War I-generation of American writers, with Hemingway and Fitzgerald as central figures, that have come to be known in literary history as "the Lost Generation." Through a selection of representative texts, the course will attempt both to present each author's particular profile and to show how they as a group constitute a special generation with a number of things in common. In addition to focusing on the literary qualities of each work, especially in the context of American modernism, the course will also try to integrate the historical context of the "Jazz Age" of the 1920's. Emphasis will thus be put on how these writers were deeply concerned with their own contemporary society, in addition to being vitally engaged in the decade's experimental esthetic debate.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course you will have:

• gained an understanding of a multi-faceted and fascinating decade in American history, especially in the field of literature (American modernism), but also in terms of the larger social background of the twenties.
• improved your analytical and critical abilities, in the context of a selection of texts that have retained their relevance for our own day and age.

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 prerequisites

Admission to the master program in literature, LAP or other suitable master programs.

Teaching

Seminar, two hours per week for ten weeks. Regular attendance and active participation is required, e.g. in the form of one or more oral presentations.

Exam information

A portfolio consisting of a seven-page semester essay (spacing: one and a half; topic to be decided by the teacher in consultation with the student), and a two-hour final classroom exam.

All written papers must be accompanied by a declaration concerning cheating Obligatorisk erklæring vedr. fusk

Language of examination

English.

Assessment and grading

Grades will be published on Studentweb no later than three weeks after the submission date/exam.

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course, including the form of exam used on the course.

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

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 .

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation of this course

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".

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