ENG4416 – Time and Money in the American Novel
Course content
Time and money are two of the main forces that shape human ends. Our conception of time has a profound impact on how we understand ourselves, and on how we draw the boundary between the possible and the unreasonable. In a similar fashion, our collective understanding of money exerts a sharp influence on how we order our personal and communal lives.
This course will examine these two forces through the lens of literature. It will use the reading and analysis of a select group of American novels as a way of interrogating the links between time, money, and literature.
In this course, we will examine the ways in which novels work to naturalize or challenge social conceptions of time and money. More importantly, we will consider all the ways in which the reading of novels helps us reflect on the nature of time and money, and we will think about the way these reflections are connected to issues of race, sexuality, subjectivity, and community.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you:
- will have an understanding of the 20th century American novel, particularly in its modernist and postmodern forms,
- will have a working knowledge of textual analysis and its importance,
- will understand the close relationship between literary form and social form,
- will be familiar with post-structuralist and Marxist approaches to literary criticism.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
The course has a capacity of 15 students. ILOS will not provide additional capacity if there are more applicants.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Teaching
Seminar, two hours per week for ten weeks, 20 hours in all.
Obligatory activities:
- You must submit a paper of 5 pages which must be approved by the teacher in order to qualify for the exam. Read more about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for approved postponements here.
All obligatory attendance and assignments are only valid the semester you attend the course.
Examination
The final grade is set on the basis of a written term paper (5-7 standard pages à 2,300 characters, 60% of the grade) and a written exam (2 hours, 40% of the grade).
A pass mark is required on both parts. You have to take both examination parts in the same semester.
Examination support material
Written exam: no examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
For those who want to retake their exam: Since the form of assessment in this course includes a term paper, you must follow the seminars and write a new paper in order to qualify. Admission depends on capacity.
If it`s just the written exam you have missed because of illness, it is possible to apply for a postponed exam. Please contact the exam consultant for more information.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.