Faculty of Arts and Humanities

MA Popular Literatures

THE LITERATURE OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR: GENDER, CLASS AND CONFLICT

HUTM022

Course HandbookSample

Course Leader – Dr Guy CuthbertsonOffice Location – AJB077

Telephone Number – 0151 291 3506Email Address – cuthbeg@hope.ac.uk

Head of Department/Senior Academic – Dr Cynthia HamiltonOffice Location – AJB075

Telephone Number – 0151 291 3270Email Address – hamiltc@hope.ac.uk

AimsThis module will enable students to engage at Masters level with a range of texts related to the First World War, and with critical issues associated with its representation. The First World War is noted for the range and quantity of the literature it produced, much of which continues to be read and discussed (and written). There has been an extension of critical attention over the last two decades to include a consideration of literature written by and about women, and this shift is reflected in the module.

This module aims to help students develop an appreciation and understanding of a selection of literature from both Britain and abroad. The module should also provide an understanding of historical, cultural and intellectual contexts, and an awareness of the legacies of the war.

Assessment

Seminar paper transcript: 1,000 words (25%)

Essay: 2500 words (75%)

Learning Outcomes

1. Sophisticated understanding of a range of texts written during and after the First World War

2. Application of a range of theoretical approaches such as gender theory, new historicism, the construction of the canon, history of the book

3. Sophisticated understanding of the cultural and socio-political context of First World War Literature in English

4. Enhanced critical and analytical skills5. Enhanced skills in written and oral communication6. Advanced research skills

Learning and TeachingFive 3-hour sessions which will include tutor-led introductions, group discussions and student-led presentations. Audio-visual material may be used where appropriate. The remaining time will be allocated to independent research and study. Time will also be set aside for tutorial support and feedback.

Your RoleThis may be the first time that you have undertaken a module at Masters level. You should be aware that the reading requirement is substantial and that you will be expected to have read the core texts in advance of each session. Although the sessions will focus closely on the texts, they will not be able to cover all aspects, and you will need to undertake some critical reading in order to develop your own analytical skills. The supporting bibliography should be used as a source from which to develop further critical insights about those works which most interest you.

Course Outline Poetry 1: Owen and Thomas

Poetry 2: The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry

The Short Story

(Auto)biography: Graves (and Owen and Sassoon)

Remembering: Barker, Carr, Michael Longley

Indicative Timetable:

Seminars are held on

Seminar 1

7 Poetry 1: Owen and Thomas

8 Poetry 2: The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry

9 The Short Story

10 (Auto)biography: Graves (and Owen and Sassoon)

11 Remembering: Barker, Carr, Michael Longley

12 Deadline for 1000-word transcript: Tuesday 24th April

13 Deadline for 2500-word essay: Tuesday 1st May

What Support Is Available To Me?You can contact me via email (cuthbeg@hope.ac.uk), or during office hours, which are Tuesday 2-3 and Thursday 12-1 and 2-4 in AJB 077. The departmental secretary is Mrs Karen Quinn, who can be found in the Faculty Office. Her email address is quinnk@hope.ac.uk and her telephone number is 0151 291 3992.

Presentation of AssessmentsAll assignments should be word processed, using font equivalent to Times New Roman font size 12. You should present your work in 1.5 line spacing. This aids readability and enables the assessor to provide you with better feedback on your script (because it gives space to write in).

ReferencingConsult the English Literature Departmental Style Guide for information on how to reference fully and correctly. General information on ‘Referencing Your Work’ is also available via the Library webpages, simply select ‘Guides’ and look for ‘Referencing Your Work’ (http://www.hope.ac.uk/guides/guides-homepage.html).

Submission DatesDeadline for 1000-word transcript: tbc.

Deadline for 2500-word essay: tbc.

Submission ArrangementsSubmit one copy of each assignment, along with a signed and attached coversheet, to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Office before 4.00pm on the due date. Please also submit an electronic copy to Karen Quinn in the Faculty Office.

Requesting an ExtensionExtensions to assignment deadlines can be granted only in exceptional circumstances (usually for medical reasons, with supporting documentation) by submitting a request for extension to the seminar tutor. Tutors must take into consideration fairness to other students on the course who submit their assignments on time, so extension requests for reasons of time mismanagement or poor planning are unlikely to be granted. Late submissions without an extension will receive a mark of zero.

NB: Assessment assignments are allowed a maximum of 10% under or over the specified word limit. A minimum penalty of 5 marks will be deducted for submissions that exceed this allowance.

FeedbackStudents will receive feedback for each assignment within four working weeks of submission, in accordance with University policy.

Marking Criteria

GENERIC ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR ESSAY-TYPE ASSIGNMENTS(Specific assignments may have particular requirements which will be

communicated to you by tutors)

DistinctionA: 70-74 A+: 75+

MeritB: 60-64B+: 65-69

PassC: 50-54C+: 55-59

Low PassE: 40-44D:45-49

FailF-: 0-24F: 25-37F+: 38-39

Knowledge, understanding, and awareness of complexity

Authoritative handling of complex material. Highly developed knowledge and understanding with full awareness of complexity.

Skilled handling of material showing sound knowledge and understanding and demonstrating a clear awareness of complexity.

Satisfactory and systematic knowledge with clear understanding of main issues. Demonstrates an awareness of complexity.

Reasonable knowledge and understanding of literature and key concepts; may be gaps in awareness and comprehension and limited appreciation of complexity.

Failure to deal sufficiently with relevant issues and concepts. Obvious limitations in insight/range of comprehension.

Engagement with the question; relevance of the argument

Tightly focused argument directly pertinent to the question.

Material relevant and to the point.

Material mainly relevant; satisfactory engagement with the question.

Material largely pertinent to the argument and a clear attempt is made to answer the question.

Incoherent argument. Failure to meet objectives.

Quality of analysis

Lucid and convincing argument. Precision of thought and evidence. Highly developed critical insight and capacity for individual thought.

High level of critical analysis. Arguments sound and well thought through. Evidence of independent and creative thinking.

Approach evaluative and critical. Logical argument and ability to make sound independent judgements are demonstrated.

Evidence of critical thinking, judgement and independent reflection, but may require further development.

Little or faulty analysis.

Structure and Organization

Structure and organization are skilfully planned and

Soundly structured, showing evidence of good

Clear evidence of planning and organization

The essay is planned and referenced to an adequate

Poorly structured.

executed planning. but structure could be improved.

degree.

Extent and Depth of Research

Extensive and in depth. Engages authoritatively with recent research and advanced scholarship.

Wide and in depth. Engages well with recent research and advanced scholarship.

Reasonably wide. Shows critical awareness of recent trends in research and advanced scholarship

Evidence of research and scholarship lacking in depth/extent.

Little or no pertinent research.

Use of Sources

Mature academic judgement is shown in the selection and use of source material

Sources are well-chosen and used effectively within the text

Sources are appropriate to the material studied and used satisfactorily to support the argument

Sources are mainly suitable; may be over-relied on, or the material may not be well integrated into the text

Sources are poorly selected, or not used appropriately and effectively

Presentation: written style, surface literacy, accuracy of references, etc.

Well structured. High degree of skill in use of references, and bibliographic material. Mature and fluent written style.

Effective and mature style. Skilled use of references and bibliographic material.

Satisfactory written style.Some competence with references and bibliography.

Written style is comprehensible, but could be clearer/more fluent.

Lacks competence in use of English. Use of references and bibliographic material inadequate or faulty.

Collection of CourseworkStudents will be informed when to collect their work. The University is not responsible for any students’ coursework that is not collected.

Course Reading Materials:

CORE TEXTS

J. L. Carr, A Month in the Country (Penguin or Quince Tree Press)

Wilfred Owen, The Poems of Wilfred Owen, ed. Jon Stallworthy (Chatto and Windus)

[or The War Poems, ed. Jon Stallworthy]

Edward Thomas, The Annotated Collected Poems, ed. Edna Longley (Bloodaxe)

Pat Barker, Regeneration (Penguin)

George Walter, ed., The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry (Penguin)

Barbara Korte and Ann-Marie Einhaus, eds, The Penguin Book of First World War Stories (Penguin)

Robert Graves, Goodbye to All That (Penguin)

READING LIST

Primary Works

(Most editions should be fine, unless otherwise stated)

Anand, Mulk Raj, Across the Black Waters (1939)

Barker, Pat, Regeneration (1991)

Life Class (2007)

Betjeman, John, Summoned by Bells (1960)

Borden, Mary, The Forbidden Zone (1929)

Blunden, Edmund, Undertones of War (1928)

Brittain, Vera, Testament of Youth (1933)

Byatt, A. S., The Children’s Book (2009)

Cardinal, Agnes, Dorothy Goldman and Judith Hattaway, eds., Women’s Writing on the First World War (1999)

Carr, J. L., A Month in the Country (Penguin, 2000 or 2010)

Cross, Tim, ed., The Lost Voices of World War I: An International Anthology (1988)

Eliot, T. S., The Waste Land (1922)

Featherstone, Simon, War Poetry: An Introductory Reader (1995)

Ferenczi, Sandor et al, eds, Psycho-Analysis and the War Neuroses (1919)

[Ford], Hueffer, Ford Madox, Parade’s End (1924-8)

Freud, Sigmund, Beyond the Pleasure Principle (1920)

Frost, Robert, Mountain Interval (1916)

Gurney, Ivor, Selected Poems (1996)

Graves, Robert, Good-Bye to All That (1929)

Hemingway, Ernest, A Farewell to Arms (1929)

Housman, A.E., Collected Poems (1995), esp. A Shropshire Lad (1896)

H.D., Bid Me to Live (1960)

Jones, David, In Parenthesis (1937)

Kipling, Rudyard, War Stories and Poems (1990)

Korte, Barbara and Einhaus, Ann-Marie, eds, The Penguin Book of First World War Stories (Penguin, 2007)

Lawrence, D. H., Kangaroo (1923)

Lawrence, T. E., Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1922)

Ledwidge, Francis, Last Songs (1918)

Manning, Frederic, The Middle Parts of Fortune (1929)

Owen, Wilfred, The War Poems, ed. Jon Stallworthy (1994)

Owen, Wilfred, Selected Letters, ed. John Bell (1998)

Reilly, Catherine, ed., The Virago Book of Women’s War Poetry and Verse (1997)

Rivers, W.H.R., Instinct and the Unconscious (1920)

Rosenberg, Isaac, Collected Works, ed. Ian Parsons (1979)

Remarque, Erich Maria, All Quiet On the Western Front (1994)

Sassoon, Siegfried, Collected Poems 1908-1956 (1961)

Diaries 1915-18, ed. Rupert Hart-Davis (1983)

Memoirs of an Infantry Officer (1930)

Sherston’s Progress (1936)

Sherriff, R. C., Journey’s End (Penguin, 2000)

Silkin, Jon, ed., Penguin Book of First World War Poetry (1979)

Spark, Muriel, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961)

Taylor, Martin, ed., Lads: Love Poetry of the Trenches (1989)

Tate, Trudi, ed., Women, Men and the Great War: An Anthology of Stories (1995)

Thomas, Edward, Collected Poems

Waugh, Evelyn, Brideshead Revisited (1945)

Woolf, Virginia, Mrs Dalloway (1925)

West, Rebecca, The Return of the Soldier (1918)

Secondary Criticism

(this is merely a suggestion and you should find and read the texts that are most suited to your work)

Barrett, Michele, Casualty Figures: How Five Men Survived the First World War (2008)

Booth, Allyson, Postcards from the Trenches: Negotiating the Space between Modernism and the First World War (1996)

Bourke, Joanna, Dismembering the Male: Men’s Bodies, Britain and the Great War (1996)

Brearton, Fran, The Great War in Irish Poetry: W. B. Yeats to Michael Longley (2000)

Caesar, Adrian, Taking It Like A Man: Suffering, Sexuality and the War Poets: Brooke, Sassoon, Owen and Graves (1993)

Cole, Sarah, Modernism, Male Friendship and the First World War (2003)

Cuthbertson, Guy, and Lucy Newlyn, eds, Branch-Lines: Edward Thomas and Contemporary Poetry (2007)

Das, Santanu, Touch and Intimacy in First World War Literature (2005)

Eksteins, Modris, Rites of Spring: The Great War and the Birth of the Modern Age (1989)

Fussell, Paul, The Great War and Modern Memory (1975)

Hibberd, Dominic, Owen the Poet (1986)

Howarth, Peter, British Poetry in the Age of Modernism (2005)

Hynes, Samuel, A War Imagined: The First World War and English Culture (1992)

Kendall, Tim, ed., The Oxford Handbook of British and Irish War Poetry (2007)

Longley, Edna, Poetry in the Wars (1986)

Modernism/modernity, Volume 9 Number 1 (January 2002): Men, Women and World War I (Special Issue)

Ouditt, Sharon, Fighting Forces, Writing Women: Identity and Ideology in the First World War (1994)

Sillars, Stuart, Art and Survival in First World War Britain (1987)

Silkin, Jon, Out of Battle: Poetry of the Great War (1972)

Stallworthy, Jon, Wilfred Owen: A Biography (1974)

Sherry, Vincent, ed., The Cambridge Companion to the Literature of the First World War

(2005)

Tate, Trudi, Modernism, History and the First World War (1998)

Todman, Dan, The Great War: Myth and Memory (2005)

Tylee, Claire, The Great War and Women’s Consciousness (1990)

Winter, Jay, Sites of Memory, Sites of Mourning (1995)

Library SupportYour reading list can be accessed online via Moodle. This allows you a quick and easy link to the Library Catalogue where you can instantly see availability of stock. If it is an online resource you will be able to link directly to the item.

If you need any help or support such as effective searching of the online resources or advanced help for research, please contact your Faculty Librarian:

Name: Fiona Hair

Phone number: 0151 291 2007

Email address: hairf@hope.ac.uk.

Support is also available from the Subject Support Points, pop along to get some advice and help from a librarian.

Alternatively you can email askalibrarian@hope.ac.uk from within this email you can also invite us to chat.

There are full details of all library services, facilities and support available from the Library Services web pages: www.hope.ac.uk/library

There is a public-access, AHRC funded collection of science fiction and fantasy at the University of Liverpool, which is the most comprehensive archive in Europe. It also hosts the 'Science Fiction Hub' a web-based subject portal.

University PoliciesYou can access University Policies on:

The academic responsibility of students; Plagiarism (http://www.hope.ac.uk/registrars-office/guides-to-the-

regulations.html); The provision of assessment arrangements for students with a disability,

illness, injury or adverse personal circumstances, and Academic appeals (and many more!)

...by looking at the University website http://www.hope.ac.uk/student-information/policiesandprocedures.html