Course Information
Instructor Dr. Catherine Coussens
Course description
Early seventeenth-century literature was dominated by the culture of the Stuart courts (of King James I and then King Charles I) and a widespread confidence in the power of the monarchy. The middle years of the century saw a major civil war between the monarchy and Parliament, the trial and execution of the king and abolition of the monarchy. Despite the Restoration of King Charles II to the throne in 1660 these events led to a gradual loss of faith in the principle of “absolute” (all-powerful) monarchy, and a gradual movement towards religious diversity and secular ideas. In literary terms the century saw a huge increase in printed literature while the literary marketplace expanded to include writers of diverse backgrounds and opinions.
We will explore examples of literature from this exciting period, including court ‘cavalier’ literature, women’s writing, civil war propaganda and radical writing, Milton’s passionate epic, Paradise Lost, the urbane literature of the Restoration court, “new” social philosophies, and responses to such issues as colonialism, religious debate and feminism.
Course objectives
- To explore the literary, artistic and political culture of seventeenth-century England, using a variety of primary and secondary sources.
- To practise reading, writing and presentation skills, and gain experience in English literary research and analysis.
Course requirements and assessment
All students will participate in classroom tasks, worksheets and individual presentations throughout the course, to aid understanding of the texts. Students must attend regularly and participate fully in class-work in order to pass this course.
Assignments
One midterm examination (40%)
One final examination (60%)
Course text
The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 1 (8th edition). This text will be required for all sessions unless stated otherwise on the programme.