Title of course: B.A. Seminar 2014/2015
Contemporary British Literature, Film and Music: irony,
wit, “eclecticism, and individuality”(Maloney)
Learning Outcomes:
The B.A. course focuses on the qualities and attributes that distinguish British art and literature among
other world literatures. Namely, it shall explore the works that draw with abundance upon irony,
detachment, intelligent humour, diversity, distinctiveness, and paradox. The above-outlined features will
become the “uncommon mirror of contemporary problems and obsessions presented with both
seriousness and humour” (Rosenthal).
The ultimate goal of B.A. seminar is preparing students for writing their B.A. theses. Hence, additional
guidance in planning, outlines, research and documentation, bibliography, academic register and style
sheet etc. will be provided during the course.
Course Content:
Accordingly, the B.A. seminar shall examine both formal and thematic aspects of the selected problems. It
will discuss various narrative techniques, literary devices, the way of employing various degrees of irony,
sarcasm, satire etc. It would examine the effects that they produce on readers and readers’ reactions to the
examined literary strategies and practices.
Prerequisites:
The course is designed for students open to various ways of decoding texts/reality. The interest in
contemporary culture and the modern world is very much welcome.
Literature:
Lewis Carroll
Martin Amis
Zadie Smith
Doris Lessing
Julian Barnes
John Fowles
Edward Morgan Forster
Muriel Spark
Ian McEwan
Virginia Woolf
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Other People
N-W (North-West)
The Good Terrorist
Flaubert’s Parrot
The Collector
The Room with a View
The Prime of Miss Jean Brody
Atonement
Orlando
Music: from the sixties till the present
Films: (suggested items, other options also possible)
Mike Leigh:
Life is Sweet
Ken Loach
My Name is Joe
Danny Boyle:
Trainspotting
Derek Jarman:
The Last of England
Neil Jordan:
Breakfast on Pluto
Assessment:
B.A. thesis
Forms of Study:
an audio-visual method
close readings
in-class debates
powerpoint
film screening
music material
Grades:
A-D
Course occasions: