This course will explore British texts and media forms from the period 1832-1901 in their literary, historical, and cultural contexts. The Victorian era witnessed immense social, ideological, and cultural change and a vast range of literary and artistic work was produced in the period. We will read Victorian novels, poems, short stories, travel narratives, and philosophical essays as well as recent critical studies of the era. We will examine the broader culture of the period by analyzing visual images, architecture, domestic/household guides, scientific texts, and clips from recent films representing Victorian literature and culture. Topics and materials in the course will address the rise of the novel; the relationship of the literary texts from this period to empire and to issues of gender; Victorian travel and science; the social and cultural impact of industrialization; and representations of the domestic and the foreign in Victorian culture.
Learning Outcomes:
- Textual/Visual Analysis: Students will learn to read, analyze, and interpret not only cultural projects such as film, literature, art, and new media, but also scientific and technical documents.
- Interpretive Frameworks: Students will become familiar with a variety of social, political, and philosophical theories and be able to apply those theories to creative and scientific texts, as well as to their own cultural observations.
- Literary/Film/Narrative art Inquiry: Students will be aware of the traditions and conventions of literature, film and other forms of narrative art, and they will be able to analyze these traditions and conventions in specific cultural contexts.
- Historical analysis: Students will study literary and cultural texts within an historical framework to become familiar with various forces shape artistic and commercial production. They will learn to interpret history actively, rather than passively accepting archival information.
Damsrosch et al. The Longman Anthology of British Literature Vol. 2B
M.E. Braddon, Lady Audley’s Secret
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
Charles Dickens. Hard Times
Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Bram Stoker, Dracula
Course Requirements:
Attendance and Participation: 25%
(includes regular attendance, participation and
a discussion leader session, canvas discussion, groupwork).
Two Exams (25% each) 50%
Final Paper and presentation 25%
Attendance and participation is an important requirement for this course. More than three unexcused absences will impact your final grade. Four late sessions count as one absence. More than eight absences result in automatic failure of the course. You are responsible for the readings and assignments you miss when you are absent, but quizzes and in-class assignments missed due to an absence cannot be made up. These will receive a grade of "0." Exceptions to this attendance policy are made only in the case of medical emergencies and extended hospitalization, for which I require documentation.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
This course will encourage students to interpret the human experience through the analysis of literary, historical, and cultural contexts.
Students will learn how to effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts in English as well as visual images and materials. Course content, activities and exercises in this course will address competencies including ethical reasoning, intercultural understanding, historical understanding, and literary/critical thinking.