LITERARY HISTORIES II

Description

This module introduces students to the main periods in literary history from Romanticism to Postmodernism by examining a variety of texts from these periods. Students will study texts in English from the Romantic and Victorian periods and from modernism and postmodernism. Throughout the module students will learn to interpret literature by focusing on aspects of its historical (including social, cultural, environmental, and global) 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 What distinguishes imaginative literature from other textual historical documents?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 explore the increasingly multicultural dimension of English literary history in the modern period. 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 and develop their own interpretations of the set texts. This module enables students to build upon and expand the critical skills and knowledge acquired in semester 1 modules by enhancing students' capabilities in these areas and encouraging a deeper study of literature historically, this module will also provide a foundation for the study of literature across a range of time periods in levels 5 and 6. In particular, the module connects to other period specific modules throughout the degree especially at level 5. Indicative content includes : The Politics of Periodisation: Romanticism to Postmodernism: Romantic Poetry Victorian Prose Fiction Modernism Postmodernism & 'Historiographic Metafiction' Contemporary Responses to History The module aims to: help students acquire a knowledge of key periods in English literature from Romanticism to Modernism Help students gain critical skills in analyzing literary texts from a historical perspective in relation to the writer's role in mediating historical events Introduce a range of critical and theoretical approaches useful to literary-historical study Analyse critically a varied selection of texts by a range of writers making use of specific reading strategies and theoretical concepts Critically assess concepts of literary tradition, canon and periodisation 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 Attributes Developed 001 On completion 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 formative assessment 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 006 Gain the ability structure and communicate complex arguments in both written and oral communication PT 005 Enhance their skills in independent learning, time management, organisation CPT 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