Бакалавриат
2026/2027
Современная зарубежная литература 20-21 вв.
Статус:
Курс обязательный (Тексты, языки и цифровые инструменты)
Кто читает:
Департамент иностранных языков
Где читается:
Санкт-Петербургская школа гуманитарных наук и искусств
Когда читается:
2-й курс, 3, 4 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ
Преподаватели:
Авраменко Иван Александрович
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
5
Контактные часы:
62
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The discipline provides a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the modern literary process, and is an optional addition to the compulsory course "History of Literature" taught in the first year of study. This course aims to broaden students' knowledge of foreign literature from the second half of the 20th century and the early 21st century, as well as current issues in literary criticism. The course focuses on mastering new trends in foreign literature through texts that have been outside the scope of the main discipline. It emphasizes theory and specific time frames, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of contemporary literary trends. Students will gain knowledge of the specific characteristics of modern foreign literature and improve their analytical abilities to achieve a more in-depth understanding of literary texts. The subject will also introduce students to influential developments in contemporary literary criticism and critical theory.
The course is part of a major block, elective professional, and is delivered in person (offline). Prerequisites for the course – Fundamentals of Literary Studies (in English), B2 level of English according to the CEFR; postrequisite for the course - Sociolinguistics (in English). In addition, the knowledge gained by students can be used when writing course papers or bachelor theses on relevant topics.
Learning Objectives
- To develop understanding of foreign literature of XX and XXI centuries as a historic process
- To improve awareness of the historical, social and cultural context and its influence on texts
- To form awareness of literary periods and styles
- To analyse the main features of literature of the examined period
- To develop text analysis skills
- To improve academic discussion skills
- To improve academic presentation skills
Expected Learning Outcomes
- To demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the development of foreign literature of XX – XXI centuries
- The students will students will describe the dynamics and specifics of the development of literary styles and movements of foreign literature in the examined period
- The students will apply analytical skills for an in-depth professional understanding and interpretation of literary texts
- The students will appropriately use special terminology
- The students will analyze literary works in the context of their eras, considering historical, social, and cultural factors
- The students will be able to discuss literary texts and theoretical concepts, to formulate and support their interpretation of the text
- The students will be able to prepare and make an academic presentation
Course Contents
- 1. Course overview Historical, socio-cultural and literary framework of contemporary literature
- 2. Postmodernist literature
- 3. Neo-Victorian and Neo-Gothic novels
- 4. American novel in the 2d half of the XX century
- 5. Postcolonial literature
- 6. Magic realism
- 7. XX-century drama
- 8. Module Revision and testing
- 9. XXI-century memory novel
- 10. Contemporary historical and alternative history novel
- 11. Autofiction, docufiction and the fiction of trauma.
- 12. Rethinking and transforming tradition in XXI century: “retellings”, “adaptations” etc
- 13. XXI-century mass fiction: fantasy, sci-fi, dystopia, young adult, detective and crime fiction. Polygenre and multimedial fiction: graphic novel, comics etc
- 14. XXI-century drama
- 15. XXI-century poetry
Assessment Elements
- Classroom participationStudents are expected to attend all lectures and seminars, complete homework and contribute to discussions. They need to be prepared for class by having read the assigned text(s). They contribute to seminar discussions by answering and asking questions relevant to the corresponding class section.
- PresentationAt the beginning of the course, students sign up for presentations, which are based on their independent study of a literary work or a theoretical problem in the historical and cultural contexts. They prepare a brief talk (10-12 minutes) on the chosen subject, which is delivered strictly on the day scheduled by the course instructor. After the talk, the student must be ready to answer questions from the audience.
- TestIn several lectures or seminars, students are given a test based on lectures by the course instructor and/or the seminars. The number and form of questions may vary within the same test and from test to test: open-ended, multiple-choice, matching, etc. The test may be conducted at no advance notice. The exact number of tests and the questions they contain are kept secret. The tests can be retaken with the consent of the course instructor if a student has a valid reason for missing the test. Otherwise, the result for the missed test is marked 0 (zero). The mark for this course component is the mean of the marks for all the tests offered throughout the module.
- ExaminationThe Oral examination takes place during the examination session period scheduled by study offices. It is conducted in English and assessed by the course instructor(s) or by the course commission board (see below). Each student receives two questions, where the first question corresponds to the theoretical material of the two modules (lectures) and the second question is based on the texts discussed at seminars. The questions are selected by the examiner. The student cannot ask for a different set of questions in exchange for a lower mark. The student may be required to answer additional questions on any theme studied throughout the course so that examiners could gain full insight into understanding of the material.
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 4th module0.2 * Classroom participation + 0.05 * Test + 0.3 * Examination + 0.2 * Presentation
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Гиленсон, Б. А. История зарубежной литературы второй половины XX - начала XXI века : учебник для вузов / Б. А. Гиленсон. — 2-е изд., перераб. и доп. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2025. — 274 с. — (Высшее образование). — ISBN 978-5-534-02564-4. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/560068 (дата обращения: 02.07.2026).
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Lawrence, D. H. Studies in Classic American Literature / D. H. Lawrence. — Санкт-Петербург : Лань, 2013. — 105 с. — ISBN 978-5-507-36565-4. — Текст : электронный // Лань : электронно-библиотечная система. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/41914 (дата обращения: 00.00.0000). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.
- The Cambridge companion to American fiction after 1945, , 2012
- Гиленсон, Б. А. История зарубежной литературы второй половины XX - начала XXI века : учебник для среднего профессионального образования / Б. А. Гиленсон. — 2-е изд. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2025. — 274 с. — (Профессиональное образование). — ISBN 978-5-534-18752-6. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/569004 (дата обращения: 02.07.2026).