120058 AR Science and Politics in Romantic Literature (2007W)

Literature Course

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik

Continuous assessment of course work

anrechenbar als K 525, K 531/K532. Für UF Englisch als 323 anrechenbar (ECTS: 1.50) bzw. als freies Wahlfach; für Literaturmodul nach UniStG-Studienplan 343.

Details

Language: English

Lecturers

Christa Knellwolf King

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Monday 08.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 15.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 22.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 29.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 05.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 12.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 19.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 26.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 03.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 10.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 17.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 07.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 14.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 21.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
Monday 28.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In spite of its emphasis on creativity, Romantic literature was written as a response to the traumatic failure of the French Revolution and the conservative backlash that came to restrain the freethinking spirits of the period. In this atmosphere of control, scientific exploration became a substitute for political thought experiments, which explains why Percy Bysshe Shelley enthusiastically devoted himself to his studies of electricity or William Godwin investigated the promises of anthropology. This course will contrast Mary Shelley's study of the consequences of a hypothetical triumph of medicine (Frankenstein) with the technological visions of Percy Bysshe Shelley and the experiments in social science of Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin. It will also offer an overview of the benefits for society that were expected to accrue from scientific activities as diverse as electricity, spontaneous generation, chemistry, Mesmerism and downright quackery.

Assessment: students will give a short oral presentation and submit an essay by the end of the semester.

Assessment and permitted materials

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students will learn to understand the interrelations between political arguments and Romantic attitudes towards the benefits of scientific experimentation. They will also learn to assess the relevance of historical background information for the interpretation of Romantic literature.

Examination topics

Short introductions to the intellectual arguments of the period will be complemented by student presentations, textual interpretations and discussion.

Reading list

Students need to purchase: Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (OUP edition); and Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Women (Longman Cultural Editions). Extracts from William Godwin, Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, Percy Bysshe Shelley's poetry, and extracts from Erasmus Darwin's The Temple of Nature; or, the Origin of Society will be available in a Reader.

Association in the course directory

325, 326, 328, 336, 338, 323, 722, K 525, K 531, K532

2.3. Literary Studies

12.01. English and American Studies ➡ I. Courses for Compulsory Exams according to the Curricula of the Diploma Programme 343 and Teaching Discipline English 344

Last modified: We 09.09.2020 00:22