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EN4437   American Fiction 1950-2000: Postmodernism and Beyond

Academic year(s): 2025-2026

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: Thursday 12.00-14.00

This module introduces students to US fiction of the period 1950-2000—a period sometimes referred to as the ‘American Century’—through the chronological study of nine major texts, many of which are associated with ‘postmodernism.’ The selection of texts encourages students to reflect on the utility of postmodernism as a critical framework while reflecting on what is distinctive about US fiction of this period. Students will also be encouraged to study these texts within their discrete socio-political contexts, which include, but are not limited to, the Cold War, radical politics, social movements (such as the Civil Rights Movement, Red Power, and Black Power), and the Asian American experience.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass EN2003 and pass EN2004

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: Two-hour seminar (x10 weeks) plus 2 optional consultation hours per week (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 20

Guided independent study hours: 260

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 100% coursework


Re-assessment: 100% coursework

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr K Ward
Module coordinator email kw238@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of a range of US prose fiction from 1950-2000, including knowledge of key critical themes and issues in the study of this period.
  • Analyse US prose fiction from 1950-2000 in its historical, political, and aesthetic contexts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of literary critical debates about this period of US fiction, especially pertaining to modernism, and apply it to the set texts.
  • Interrogate the utility of the term ‘postmodernism’ in the study of this period of US fiction, especially in relation to efforts to diversify the canon.
  • Demonstrate practical analytical and research skills in close reading and discussing this period of US fiction, and in forming sophisticated and informed arguments (both in written work and class discussion).