AMS-30031: Silence, Strength and Sentiment: Gender and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century American Writing

School of Humanities

AMS-30031

Silence, Strength and Sentiment: Gender and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century American Writing

Co-ordinator:

Prof Ian Bell Tel:33012

Teaching Team:

Mrs Jayne Braddick, Dr Tim Lustig, Mrs Amanda Porritt, Miss Jo-Anne Watts, Brian Jarvis

Lecture Time:

See Timetable...

Level:

Credits:

Study Hours:

150

School Office:

Tel: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for

American Studies Dual Honours (Level 3)
American Studies Minor (Level 3)
American Studies Single Honours (Level 3)
English and American Literatures Single Honours (Level 3)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Barred Combinations

None

Prerequisites

None

Description

The nineteenth century saw great changes in American society. Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, shifts in economic structure, the movement away from a hard, masculine, Puritan Christianity toward more domesticated and sociable forms of worship: these trends and more had profound effects on the way gender roles were defined and perceived. This module looks at a number of major literary works by canonical U.S. authors and explores the ways in which anxieties about changing gender roles and relationships were dramatised and narrativised. It also explores the relationship between authorship, gender and sexuality and how the demands of the literary marketplace may have placed particular demands on both male and female authors of the time.

Aims

&· To introduce students to a range of major authors, artists and works from the nineteenth century
&· To analyse the different ways in which male writers portray the female and work through anxieties about gender identities
&· To introduce students to key themes, issues and problems in American literature
&· To develop literary critical skills
&· To develop broad skills in written expression and literary analysis
&· To develop research skills

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe and evaluate basic features of disciplinary (literary) scholarship relating to study of the United States will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
describe and analyse features of the social, historical, and political identity of the United States with particular reference to issues of gender and sexuality will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
analyse and interpret a range of primary (novels and poems) and secondary (critical books and articles)written sources will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
make coherent arguments based on evidence and analysis orally and in writing will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
relate textual analysis to social, cultural and historical contexts of the nineteenth century will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
carry out detailed and focussed research for essays using a range of textual and electronic sources will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02
consistently employ the bibliographical, referencing and presentation requirements of the core disciplines in preparing reports and essays will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02

Study hours

10x2-hour seminar; 2x2-hour workshop; 36 hours seminar preparation; 60 hours critical report and essay; 30 hours wider research

Description of Module Assessment

01: Report weighted 30%

1,000-word report in preparation for longer essay
Students come up with essay title and prepare plan, bibliography and detailed analysis of 2 or 3 relevant secondary sources.

02: Essay weighted 60%

2,500-3,000-word essay
Traditional, discursive essay on same topic as the report.

03: Class Participation weighted 10%

participation in seminars and workshops
Students will be assessed on the quality and quantity of their contributions to seminars and workshops, including informal presentations.

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.