ENG-20034 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

The Victorian age was one of empire, industry, social reform and technological and scientific progress. These startling changes forced writers of the period to rethink the complex relationship between themselves, their writing and the world, relationships that were often figured afresh in terms of different kinds of performance. From Browning's development of the dramatic monologue to Wilde's drama, from the day-to-day social performances of class and gender identity in the realist novel to the thrills of the Victorian ghost story, this module will engage with the variety of new genres that were developed during this period and discuss ways in which the Victorian period has been performed through its literature.

To provide students with knowledge of the work of a range of authors and genres published during the Victorian period.
To offer an awareness of the importance of questions of socio-historical contexts in understanding the literary meaning of Victorian texts.
To provide insight into some of the critical and theoretical traditions (particularly the ideas surrounding literary performance) that have shaped the understanding of Victorian literature.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Employ analytic skills: close reading, description and analysis of form, meaning, and discourse: 1,2
Communicate an awareness of the implications of particular generic forms on literary meaning and reading relationships: 1,2
Show sensitivity to the potential complexity of literary language and critical discourse: 1,2
Demonstrate research and planning skills and the ability to present that research effectively: 1,2
Engage with a wide variety of critical discourses: 1,2

Study hours

11 x 1-hour lectures
11 x 1-hour seminars
Reading and class preparation: 78 hours
Essay and writing preparation: 37 hours
Short exercise: 13 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment