This unit charts a passage through the 20th century from modernism to post-modernism through its literature. It invites you to explore a selection of novels by a number of significant writers from the 20th century and from a range of national literatures. These novels address a range of issues including post-colonialism, the transition from the psyche to psychology, sexuality, the American Jazz age, Southern post-bellum agonistics, gender, magic realism, existentialism, slavery, racism, and identity. You will also explore the influences this literature has had on contemporary thought.

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from SUTE Teacher Evaluations

Students indicated that the weekly tutorials provided clear and knowledgeable explanations, challenged students to think critically, and provided valuable feedback.

Continue to run weekly online tutorials that balance short content recaps with guided and practical activities that link to the assessment items, encourage critical thinking, and provide an opportunity to receive timely and valuable feedback.

Feedback from SUTE Student Evaluations

Students noted that the videos needed updating, particularly the assessment instruction videos and other older video content.

Videos will be updated throughout the website.

Feedback from Verbal Student Feedback

Students noted a glossary of unit key terms would be valuable.

Create a unit glossary which outlines key terms.

Feedback from Verbal and SUTE student feedback, and Unit Coordinator reflection

Students and Unit Coordinator found the structure of the unit with individual modules on novels plus weekly study guides and weekly lecture guides overwhelming and disconnected.

Restructure the unit to scaffold the content in alignment with the assessments and streamline the student navigation experience. Less focus on novels as modules, more focus on developing skills in critical thinking, literary analysis, and application of critical theory. Revise text list and update assessments accordingly.