British literature from its origins to 1837. This survey course presents the development of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the beginning of the Victorian era. Relying on excerpts from selected works and the chronological study of literary movements, lectures focus on the main problematics and writers of each age, as well as on the evolution of literary genres.
Objectives
By the end of course lectures, students will be able to:
- Map out key landmarks and periods in the history of English Literature;
- Understand key literary genres and concepts up to Victorian times;
- Appreciate major authors and works in relation to minor ones;
- Master basic notions in the diachronic changes of English;
- Master basic notions in English prose writing, poetics and rhetoric;
- Connect literary knowledge with other subjects, prominently civilization
This course is open to all undergraduate students but prior knowledge of and interest for British culture, history and civilization – not to mention literature itself – will obviously help. Initial curiosity for the language and its past is also an advantage.
Weekly sessions of two hours are built around magisterial contents delivered with permanent reference to excerpts and illustrations—from paintings and facsimiles to film and TV productions. A reading list, viewing advice and a revision quiz are systematically provided - together with lecture notes posted on our university platform.
Assessment and Final Grade
Validation requires a final grade equal to at least 10 out of 20 awarded for the final written examination lasting 2 hours. This is based on a series of 8 questions: 6 related to course knowledge (60%) and 2 related to a short literary excerpt (40%).
Course Requirements
This course mainly requires concentration and efficient note taking—and serious revisions ahead of its final examination. Parallel reading of GREENBLATT, Stephen, ed. The Norton Anthology of English Literature (W.W. Norton, 2018) is also recommended.
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