Faculty of Arts and Humanities
MA Popular Literatures
THE LITERATURE OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR: GENDER, CLASS AND
CONFLICT
HUTM022
Course Handbook
Sample
Course Leader – Dr Guy Cuthbertson
Office Location – AJB077
Telephone Number – 0151 291 3506
Email Address – cuthbeg@hope.ac.uk
Head of Department/Senior Academic – Dr Cynthia Hamilton
Office Location – AJB075
Telephone Number – 0151 291 3270
Email Address – hamiltc@hope.ac.uk
Aims
This 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 skills
5. Enhanced skills in written and oral communication
6. Advanced research skills
Learning and Teaching
Five 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 Role
This 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 Assessments
All 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).
Referencing
Consult 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 Dates
Deadline for 1000-word transcript: tbc.
Deadline for 2500-word essay: tbc.
Submission Arrangements
Submit 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 Extension
Extensions 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.
Feedback
Students 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)
Distinction
A: 70-74
A+: 75+
Merit
B: 60-64
B+: 65-69
Pass
C: 50-54
C+: 55-59
Low Pass
E: 40-44
D:45-49
Knowledge,
understandi
ng, 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
understandin
g and
demonstrating
a clear
awareness of
complexity.
Satisfactory
and
systematic
knowledge
with clear
understandin
g of main
issues.
Demonstrates
an awareness
of complexity.
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.
Quality of
analysis
Lucid and
convincing
argument.
Precision of
thought and
evidence.
Highly
developed
critical insight
and capacity
for individual
thought.
Structure and
organization
are skilfully
planned and
executed
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.
Reasonable
knowledge
and
understandin
g of literature
and key
concepts; may
be gaps in
awareness
and
comprehensio
n and limited
appreciation
of complexity.
Material
largely
pertinent to
the argument
and a clear
attempt is
made to
answer the
question.
Evidence of
critical
thinking,
judgement
and
independent
reflection, but
may require
further
development.
Soundly
structured,
showing
evidence of
good
planning.
Clear
evidence of
planning and
organization
but structure
could be
improved.
Structure
and
Organization
The essay is
planned and
referenced to
an adequate
degree.
Fail
F-: 0-24
F: 25-37
F+: 38-39
Failure to
deal
sufficiently
with relevant
issues and
concepts.
Obvious
limitations in
insight/rang
e of
comprehensi
on.
Incoherent
argument.
Failure to
meet
objectives.
Little or
faulty
analysis.
Poorly
structured.
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
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.
Sources are
mainly
suitable; may
be over-relied
on, or the
material may
not be well
integrated
into the text
Written style
is
comprehensib
le, but could
be
clearer/more
fluent.
Lacks
competence
in use of
English. Use
of references
and
bibliographic
material
inadequate or
faulty.
Collection of Coursework
Students 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 Support
Your 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 Policies
You can access University Policies on:




The academic responsibility of students;
Plagiarism
(http://www.hope.ac.uk/registrars-office/guides-to-theregulations.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