123047 PS Proseminar Literature / Literary Studies (2016S)

This course will explore the work of Victorian women writers, using poetry, fiction, and non-fiction texts such as letters and travelogues. We will consider questions of gender, sexuality, class and empire and look at the varied positions of women in Victorian society and literary production, from 'angels in the house' to the Victorian 'New Woman'.

AIMS:
Students will become familiar with a range of texts by Victorian women writers and will be able to describe their generic characteristics. They will be able to explain key concerns articulated in these texts and contextualise them appropriately with reference to British cultural – and specifically women’s – history. They will further become acquainted with various critical approaches to Victorian women’s writing and be able to apply these appropriately in a scholarly paper.

METHODS:
Classroom discussion, presentations, research assignments, eLearning.
Students are expected to present a paper of 8-10 minutes at a mini-conference on 11 June (Sat, 10am-4pm). Participation in the mini-conference is obligatory!