LITERARY HISTORIES I

Description

This module introduces students to different periods in literary history from the medieval period to the late Eighteenth Century through the examination of a variety of texts. Students will study texts in English from the medieval period, the Early Modern period, the Restoration, and the neo-Classical period. Throughout the module students will learn to interpret literature by focusing on aspects of its historical including social, environmental, global and cultural context, and to consider the interplay between historical background and texts. How does historical change and how do specific historical events impact on the production and reception of literature? What distinguishes imaginative literature from other textual historical documents? Students will also be encouraged to reflect on the academic practice of dividing history into key 'moments': the 'politics' of periodization, in other words. At what point does one period end and another begin? Why have literary critics chosen to mark the parameters of certain literary-historical periods as they have? While the focus is on English literature, the module will remain sensitive to the interplay between English literary traditions and those in other countries and the increasingly multicultural dimension of English literary history. Lectures will introduce students to key features of the literary period in question, to theoretical concepts which have proved useful in historicist approaches to literary criticism, and provide readings of set literary texts from a historical perspective. Seminars will enable students to discuss issues raised in the lectures and secondary reading as well as their own interpretations of the set texts in ways that will develop their critical thinking, research, and communication skills. By enabling students to gain the critical skills and knowledge required to study literature historically this module will provide a foundation for their further study of historical literary periods in semester 2 of their first year and for their study of literature in their second and final years. Indicative content includes : Literary History and Periodisation Medieval Literature Close Reading and Reading Middle English Early Modern Literature The Restoration The Neo-Classical / Augustan Period Eighteenth-Century Fiction Assessment and Revision The module aims to: help students acquire a knowledge of key periods in English literature from the medieval period to the late Eighteenth Century Help students gain critical skills in analyzing literary texts from a historical perspective Introduce a range of critical and theoretical approaches useful to literary-historical study Help students analyse critically a varied selection of texts by a range of writers making use of specific reading strategies and theoretical concepts Help students critically assess concepts of literary tradition, canon and periodization Help students to think and learn independently, and to manage and organise their time efficiently Train students to research and evaluate sources, debates, and ideas, and to communicate their conclusions clearly and accurately in writing Enable students to discuss, debate, and exchange complex ideas as part of a group and enable students to develop effective presentation and team-working skills Attributes Developed 001 Over the course of this module, students will: develop a broad knowledge of key historical and cultural developments in the chosen literary periods that is demonstrated in seminar discussions and both formative KPT KPT 002 Obtain a good knowledge of the set primary texts and their historical and cultural contexts K 003 Gain an awareness of how specific works of literature and developments in literary form are influenced by, and help shape, moments and events in history K 004 Develop their critical thinking skills by reflecting on the complexities of literary periodisation and examining the ways in which the literary canon has been established and upheld CT 005 Enhance their skills in independent learning, time management, organisation CPT 006 Gain the ability structure and communicate complex arguments in both written and oral communication PT