VIC7045 - Victorian Society

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical understanding of selected trends and developments in Victorian society, and their impact on the construction of identities
Summarise the current state of knowledge in the relevant field through the production of an independent historiography of the selected trend or development
Apply appropriate literary, cultural or historical theories and research methodologies to the primary sources selected to reflect the construction of Victorian identities
To devise and conduct a research project that makes productive use of relevant collections, museums, electronic archives or physical archives
Present research findings clearly, using appropriate evidence and illustration, and with accurate use of the required style guide

Content:

This module will engage students in an understanding of selected trends and developments in Victorian Society, and their influence on the constructions of identity in the Victorian period. It investigates Victorian identities as defined by contemporary ideals and experiences of e.g. gender and sexual morality, 'race', (dis)ability, age, religion or region. A particular aspect of identity will be chosen as the focus each year, drawing on staff expertise: e.g. gender and sexual morality, (exploring definitions of femininity and masculinity during the Victorian period; consideration of socially constructed ideals such as the 'double standard' and 'domestic ideology'; and medicalised and charitable conceptions of the 'norm'); imperialism (including the ideological and cultural context for the formation of Victorian constructions of 'race'; Victorian Imperialism at home, in the Empire and the wider 'Anglobalized' World; and the material culture that the British Empire has left behind); the representation of childhood in literature and art; Victorian concepts of nature, and the urban and rural environment; and the impact of Victorian religious belief on certain aspects of political, social and cultural life. The choice will depend on staff availablity and also take student opinion into consideration wherever possible.

Students will engage in this investigation by studying recent theoretical writings, Victorian texts and documents. Students will then 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.

Students will also undertake independent fieldwork in local archives and museum, as appropriate to the topic: e.g. Leeds City Art Gallery, the Mercer Gallery in Harrogate, Abbey House Museum, York Railway Museum. The digital humanities will be engaged through the use of relevant digitized collections, e.g. The Disability History Museum or The Victorian Women Writers Project.

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
Hours: 6 x 2 hours
Intended Group size: 12

Tutorials
Hours: 20 minutes per student
Intended group size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours:137.66

Assessment:

001 Essay; 3,000 words; end of semester 2 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Prof. Karen Sayer
Level - 7
Credit Value - 15
Pre-Requisites - CANNOT BE TAKEN WITH VIC7083
Semester(s) Offered -

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