VICM2165 - The Novels of the Brontes

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical understanding of a selection of the major novels of Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë;
2 use a range of high-level critical and theoretical approaches to analyse the selected novels;
3 apply an advanced understanding of the Brontës as Victorian novelists, including an awareness of the extent to which their novels were shaped by the social conditions of the Victorian world, and the extent to which the preoccupations of that world were reflected and addressed in their novels;
4 demonstrate self-direction and originality in a sophisticated argument that uses appropriate evidence/illustrations and engages with contextual and critical literature.

Content:

This module aims to place the major novels of Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë within the social, cultural and literary contexts of the Victorian age. The module will pay particular attention to the local and wider social conditions in which the sisters worked, and the impact of those conditions on their writing. It will also consider how particular preoccupations of the Victorian age were reflected in their writing, covering such topics as social and economic conditions, the changing position of women, and attitudes towards religion. Each of the six sessions will cover a set novel in the light of a particular theme, using suitable theoretical approaches where relevant. Students will also be encouraged to consider how these themes might apply to other texts on the module.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The seminars will make use of a number of teaching and learning methods, including: short presentations by the tutor, exercises in groups, informal presentations by students, and plenary discussions. Students will be set reading to complete before the session and they will be expected to bring their own reflections to bear on the exercises and discussion.

Seminars
Contact hours: 6 x 2 hours
Intended Group size: 12

Individual tutorials
Contact hours: 20 minutes per student
Intended Group size: 1

Additional assessment information
Students will have the opportunity to upgrade their registration from this module to the corresponding extended module VICM 2725. To do so, they must obtain approval from the module tutor on the basis of a detailed proposal presented in week 6 of the module. Once they have upgraded their registration, they will not be required to present assessment for VICM 2165.

Assessment: