School of Humanities  
 
 
ENG-20032 The Drawn Sword: Literature and the English Civil War  
Co-ordinator: Dr Lucy Munro    Room: CBB2.061, Tel:34282  
Teaching Team:  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 2 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

English and American Literatures Single Honours (Level 2)
English with Creative Writing Single Honours (Level 2)
English Dual Honours (Level 2)
English Major (Level 2)
English Minor (Level 2)
English Single Honours (Level 2)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Barred Combinations

None

Prerequisites

None

Description

The Drawn Sword: Literature and the English Civil War aims to introduce students to one of the most turbulent periods in English history, which nonetheless produced some of its best-known and most exhilarting literary texts. Alongside canonical works such as John Milton's Paradise Lost, Marvell's poems and the plays of Aphra Behn, we examine exciting rediscoveries such as Lucy Hutchinson's Order and Disorder and the poems of Hester Pulter, and novel forms of literary production, such as the earliest English newspapers. We may also look at contemporary representations of the period, such as The Devil's Whore (Channel 4, 2008). Particular attention will be paid to issues such as politics; religion; gender and women&©s writing; writing in different genres; and the treatment of current events in literary writing.

Aims

The module is designed to introduce students to the range of literary texts produced in the period of the English Civil War and its aftermath, and to issues relating to the interaction of literary and political cultures.


Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate detailed knowledge of literature produced between c. 1640 and 1670 and its historical, social and cultural contexts; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Analyse literary and non-literary texts effectively, and intregrate this analysis into their critical writing; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Demonstrate enhanced research skills in electronic and traditional media; will be achieved by assessments: 2, 3
Use critical and contextual sources effectively, and understand key scholarly debates in this area; will be achieved by assessments: 2, 3
Develop and structure arguments effectively in a variety of written forms (message board posts, critical analysis, essay); will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Articulate initial responses to texts and react sensitively to the responses of other students; will be achieved by assessments: 1
Use appropriate scholarly referencing systems and present written work in a professional manner. will be achieved by assessments: 3


Study hours

10 x 1 hour lectures (10 hours)
10 x 1 hour small group meetings (10 hours)
Reading and preparation for classes (75 hours)
Essay preparation and writing (32 hours)
Discussion board participation (10 hours)
Critical exercise preparation and writing (12 hours)
Feedback and guidance (1 hour)


Description of Module Assessment

01: Webct weighted 20%
Discussion Board Participation
The module co-ordinator will set up discussion threads for each week's study, and students will be expected to post at least two messages per week recording their reactions to the texts and their responses to other students' reactions. Tutors will keep weekly records to justify marks awarded, and written/oral feedback will be available in the final week of teaching.

02: Short Paper weighted 20%
Comparative Exercise Using Early English Books Online
Students will be required to download and read a section of a text from Early English Books Online (http://eebo.chadwyck.com/) and to write a comparative analysis between this text and one of the set texts. The exercise will be submitted in Week 6 and written and oral feedback will be provided in Week 8.

03: Essay weighted 60%
Research Essay
Students will be asked to write a critical essay (from a list of c. 10 questions) which demonstrates independent research and detailed knowledge of relevant texts and issues. Written feedback will be distributed after the examination period, and oral feedback will be available on request.


Version: (1.04D) Created: 30/May/2013

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