VICM2155 - Victorian Identities? Gender and Sexual Morality in the Victorian Age

Objectives:

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

1 demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical understanding of aspects of identity in Victorian Britain;
2 demonstrate a critical understanding of the relevant high-level theoretical approaches and historiography on the construction of identity in the Victorian period..
3 apply advanced theory and research methodologies to analyse primary sources on the construction of Victorian identities
4 demonstrate self-direction and critical independence in a sophisticated written argument that uses appropriate historical evidence (for example in the form of documents, literature, plays, art, illustrations and photographs), and engages with critical debates.

Content:

This module investigates Victorian identities as defined by contemporary ideals and experiences of e.g. gender and sexual morality, ‘race’ or (dis)ability. Sessions may include explorations of definitions of femininity and masculinity during the Victorian period; consideration of socially constructed ideals such as the ‘double standard’ and ‘domestic ideology’; medicalised and charitable conceptions of the ‘norm’; and the ideological and cultural context for the formation of Victorian constructions of ‘race’ . Students will engage in this by studying recent theoretical writings, Victorian texts and documents. There will be opportunity for students to develop their own interests by researching a topic of their own choice for the assignment for this module.

Learning and Teaching Information:

A variety of learning and teaching methods will be used. These include group discussions and debates based on reading and seminar questions; workshops on particular texts and theories; investigations of specific documents. 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 / workshops
Contact hours: 6 x 2 hours

Tutorials
Contact hours: 20 minutes per student

Assessment: