Module description
This module aims to introduce final year students to the avant-garde literary and artistic movement called surrealism that developed across Europe in the early part of the twentieth century. Beginning with an examination of the first theories of surrealism which were written in France, the module will look at the movement’s influence across European media before ending with a discussion of the movement’s continuing international development. This module compares surrealism across national boundaries and literary and artistic disciplines. The emphasis of the module will be on the interrelation of different media employed by surrealist practitioners, including but not limited to prose, poetry, periodicals, film, painting and photography. Students will be encouraged to make comparisons within the literary field as well as across media boundaries. The movement will be situated in its historical, political and artistic contexts and students will develop an understanding of surrealist ideologies.
Wherever possible, students will be encouraged and/or expected to read texts in the original language.
Content warning: Some surrealist artists and writers engage with different forms of violent imagery in their pursuit of revolution, including war, mental illness, and bodily injury. Detailed warnings will be posted in advance on the module’s Keats page.
For some background on the surrealist movement, see this short promotional video from a recent Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBLMibOwqdw
Assessment details
1 x 4,000 word essay; coursework reassessment in exam period 3
Educational aims & objectives
This module aims to introduce surrealism in its European context within a wider international avant-garde. The historical development of surrealism will be considered alongside its legacies and critical reappraisal. Using key surrealist texts and images, students will be encouraged to compare and analyse a variety of reading and viewing strategies proposed by surrealist practitioners.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practical skills appropriate to a Level 6 module and in particular will be able to:
- Identify the key features of surrealism, and have detailed knowledge of its central ideas, contexts, and conceptual frameworks
- compare the historical development of surrealism across Europe and internationally
- analyse in depth key cultural surrealist objects using word and image theories competently
- effectively discuss, examine, and respond to critical debates surrounding surrealism and its legacies in oral and written work individually and collectively
- demonstrate autonomous research strategies in order to plan, draft, author and complete the module assessment
Teaching pattern
Two hours per week (typically 1 lecture plus 1 seminar)
Suggested reading list
Suggested reading
Students may find it helpful to look at some general studies of surrealism before the module starts:
- Fiona Bradley (1997) Surrealism (London: Tate)
- Matthew Gale (1997) Dada and Surrealism (London: Phaidon)
- David Hopkins (2004) Dada and Surrealism: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press)
- Robert Havard (ed.) (2004) Companion to Spanish Surrealism (Woodbridge, Suffolk; Rochester, NY: Tamesis)
- CB Morris (1972 ) Surrealism and Spain, 1920-1936 (London: Cambridge University Press)
- Michel Rémy [1999](2001) Surrealism in Britain (London: Lund Humphries)