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 critical independence 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. The 20-minute individual tutorial may take different forms as appropriate to the individual student (e.g. face-to-face discussion, e-mail consultations). These tutorials are intended to give students some guidance on their choice of essay question and on researching the topic.

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

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

Assessment: