Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course students have knowledge of

  • literary, historical and cultural forms of expression.
  • American and British literary history.
  • ways of life, society and cultural expressions in the USA and Britain.
  • history and development of the Commonwealth and in American and British society.

Upon completion of this course students can

  • apply knowledge about historical periods and development of American and British literature.
  • reflect on essential features of American and British history, ways of life and society.
  • critically assess primary and other relevant texts relating to American and British history and contemporary society.
  • organize their reflections on American and British culture and literature both orally and in written form.

Contents

  • Introduction to central developments, values and conflicts in American and British literary and cultural history in the time period from 1900 to the present.
  • Study of literary texts and texts from different genres, sometimes in combination with documentary materials and aesthetic artefacts, in the time period from 1900 to the present.
  • Study of literary and linguistic forms of expression in their social and cultural contexts.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and seminars. Practice for the teacher students. Regular and active student participation. The workload is estimated to 405 hours.

Examination requirements

80 % compulsory attendance in the seminars. Practice for the teacher students and one compulsory writing assignment for other students must be assessed as a Pass. Further work requirements will be specified at the beginning of the course.

Examinations

The exam comes in two parts. The first part is weighted 40% and the second part is weighted 60%. Students must pass both parts to pass the entire course.

In the first part, all students write an individual home exam. Graded assessment.

In the second part, students either take an oral examination or a four-hour written examination. (Students are allowed to use an English-English dictionary on the written examination.) Students in the Bachelor's programme, students taking English as a minor subject, teacher students, freestanding course students and exchange students: four-hour written examination. Students in the one-year programme: Oral exam. Graded assessment.

Student evaluation

The person responsible for the course, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Offered as a free-standing course

Yes, if there are places available.

Admission Requirement if given as a free-standing course

Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Admission for external candidates

No

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course Reduction of Credits
EN-167 – American and British Literature: Part 2. 10
EN-103 – Introduction to British Literature. 5
EN-104 – Introduction to American Literature and Culture. 5
EN-144 – American and British Culture and History. 5
EN-165 – History, culture, and politics in the English-speaking world. 5
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 8:09:51 AM