Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

As part of the lectures:

  • Discuss the evolution of English literature in its various, increasingly international contexts;
  • Conceptualize the complexity of literature (genres, media, ideology, reception, etc.); conceptualize the methodological issues that cultural historians may encounter;
  • Use technical vocabulary in the field of literary studies;
  • Understand Anglophone texts in a wide range of contexts, including stylistic and historical variants; discuss the topics introduced in class in English, at least at a B2 level (following the CEFR).

As part of the exercises:

  • Identify the themes and tropes in a text, and illustrate how these are expressed with examples from the text;
  • Discuss and debate literary texts in group and individually, weigh in in a debate and use critical thinking
  • Express themselves with and without interaction on the topics of literary texts, their themes, and their contexts;
  • Ask relevant discussion and research questions;
  • Identify, discuss and compare excerpts from the set readings.

In order to acquire these skills, active participation in both learning activities (lectures and exercises) is necessary.

Goals

As part of the lectures:

  • Be able to discuss the evolution of English literature in its various, increasingly international contexts;
  • Begin to conceptualize the complexity of literature (genres, media, ideology, reception, etc.) and develop a methodological awareness;
  • Acquire the technical vocabulary of literary studies;
  • Construct the foundations of a sound cultural literacy and literary erudition;
  • Improve the student's knowledge of the English language in a wide range of uses and stylistic and historical variants, and help them to achieve a B2 level (following the CEFR).

As part of the exercises:

  • Deal with a wide variety of literary texts, genres, forms, and contexts in a "hands-on" manner;
  • Develop an awareness of the themes and tropes in a text, and how these are expressed;
  • Discuss literary texts in group and individually, weigh in in a debate and develop critical thinking;
  • Develop active proficiency in the English language through discussion;
  • Develop the ability to ask discussion and research questions.

Content

This course forms a continuation of "Cultural History of Literature in English: 600-1660" and covers the development of literature in English from 1660 onwards. The main chapters cover the classical period, the Romantics, the Victorians and the twentieth century (and beyond). The focus is on British literature, but the global expansion of the English language and its literature is also taken into account. As in the first course, we emphasize the evolution and stratification of the various literary genres and the relationships between literature, language and social reality. Several poems and excerpts are used as illustration.

Table of contents

  • 1660-1789: The Neoclassical Period: Chronology - General historical context - Rationalism, deism and the Enlightenment - Neoclassical poetics - The democratisation of literature - The birth of the novel - Preromanticism and sensibility - Drama and theatre
  • 1789-1837: The Romantic Period: Chronology and general historical context - Romantic poetry - The novel
  • 1837-1901: The Victorian Period: Chronology - General historical context - Victorian sages, non-fictional prose and public debate - Poetry - The novel - Popular fiction on the fringe of the canon - Drama and theatre
  • 1901-now: The Twentieth Century (and Beyond): Chronology - Modernism - Post-Modernism - Literature, commercialisation and modern media - The deterritorialisation of literature - The feminisation of literature - Poetry - The Novel, Edwardian and premodernist - The novel, the modernists - The novel, beyond modernism - The novel, the popular end of the market - Drama

Exercices

Oral, interactive and non-interactive exercises, based on the two novels (set reading, see "sources") and texts from the Reader:

  • Class presentations by groups of students on literary texts of the Reader not covered (extensively) in the lectures;
  • Interactive discussions and debates on these texts and others introduced by the teacher;
  • Discussions and debates on the two set novels, meant to help to prepare the reading test (see "assessment").

Teaching methods

Taught lectures involving active participation of the students, who will have previously studied the relevant chapter or the text indicated in advance. The lecturer briefly summarises the main ideas of the section under study; questions are asked and answers given in both directions; additional examples and more food for thought are provided. Given the teacher's interactive approach it is imperative for students to prepare lectures in advance. For students in the Germanic Languages and Literatures" option: practical exercises based on texts that are not covered in the lectures (see "Exercises").

Assessment method

For students in Germanic Languages and Literatures:

Lectures:

  • Oral exam during the January session (20 minutes, in English, question sheet drawn at random, preparation time 20 minutes).

Exercises:

  • Reading tests on the two novels (Jane Eyre and The Hours, see "Sources") at the end of the first semester;
  • Continuous assessment: oral presentations on one of the texts of the "Reader" not covered as part of the lectures (one presentation per student group), active participation in the discussions and debates during the exercises.

In order to obtain a passing grade, students need to take and pass every part of the assessment (oral exal, oral presentations during the semester, reading test)

For non-LLG students: written examination on the course material ("Coursebook" and PowerPoint slides); no "open book".

Model exams will be posted on WebCampus and commented on during the final session of the lectures.

 

Sources, references and any support material

There are two volumes to be purchased: the "Coursebook" and the "Reader", available at "Réprographie".

PowerPoint slides will be made available on WebCampus and extra illustrations will be offered, for instance in the form of musical excerpts and video clips illustrating the various concepts, texts, or periods covered.

In addition, the students have to read two novels (Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë and The Hours, Michael Cunningham), on which a reading test will be held (see "Assessment"). The novels can be purchased at Point Virgule.

Language of instruction

English