130105 PS Literary Cross-Currents (PS): An Introduction to the Romantic Movement Part II: (2017S)

An Introduction to Romanticism (1826 to 2016)
Part II: The Romantic Legacy

Aims, contents and method of the course

The objective of this course is to provide a continuing introduction to Romanticism in its original context in complement to the literary and artistic movements to which it gave rise throughout the nineteenth century. Our primary focus rests on the incipient decline of the Romantic Hero and the swift, subsequent descent into the darker reaches of the human psyche. In this reorienting world of decadence, æstheticism and social realism the nascent thrust of the Romantic imagination violently yields to its fragility. The deepening of Gothic themes is paramount to our study. Reading material will reflect the manner in which earlier emphasis on the individual and sublimity resituates in the authors’ confrontation of their inward emotional responses to fear, awe, apprehension, horror and terror. And yet with individualism and emotion as the source through which æsthetic experience could be perceived, entered into and felt, in the selected poems, novellas and novels under discussion in this course students will compass the means by which the later Romantics and their descendants sought to unravel the mysteries of the internal and external worlds in which they resided and why they felt continually compelled to re-evaluate their place within those decidedly ‘modern’ worlds.

The method of instruction is based on traditional lecture complemented by open class discussion. As the lectures are a combination of visual presentation material and oral supplement, it is worth stating from the outset that regular attendance is absolutely essential to a proper understanding of this course: missing a single session will invariably pose problems in reception of the overall context. The nature of ‘open discussion’ requires both commitment and patience: those who enrol are strongly advised to clear their Wednesday evening schedules without complaint as classes will not close before half-past eight and, on occasion (and perhaps even frequently), may extend until nine. Given the restrictions of time and the depth of the material, a listed work may be reduced to a cursory reading and will not be discussed at any length by the instructor; nonetheless, as discussion and debate are expected and indeed required in this course, students are encouraged to open and advance dialogue on any subject pertaining to the original syllabus.

This particular Seminar will begin at 18:30 (or soon thereafter, depending on the time at which the room is vacated) and will extend until at least 20:30, very likely 20:45, and, occasionally, 21:00. An individual presentation will not be required of students in this Seminar; however, be advised that the course has been specifically designed as an evening class in order to provide sufficient flexibility for discussion and debate, so please do not anticipate leaving prior to half-past eight. There are two scheduled optional film presentations on the evenings of Friday, March 24th and Friday, May 5th; although attendance is not obligatory for those who have prior commitments, the presented material is relevant contextually and will be discussed and referenced under the broader canopy of the course. The works listed below comprise the ‘tentative’ schedule, which will alter in content pursuant to student interest and discussion (i.e., not all of the works will be required reading); however, any and all textual material contained in this initial listing may be used as a basis for the term paper and essay composition on the final exam.