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EL40GU: LITERATURE AND PSYCHOLOGY AT THE FIN DE SIECLE (2018-2019)

Last modified: 22 May 2019 17:07


Course Overview

Psychology, neurology and criminology came to the forefront of late-nineteenth-century thought about pressing issues and anxieties: post-Darwinian fears of decline and degeneration; decadence and neurasthenia; the strains upon and secrets within city spaces; New (and fallen) Women, and imperialist expansion and its attendant masculinities. Examining interdisciplinary exchange between literature and sciences of mind, we will engage in close reading of several texts to understand the role and scope of the novel genre at this time of social, cultural and aesthetic upheaval. Authors studied may include Thomas Hardy, Olive Schreiner, Joseph Conrad, R.L. Stevenson, Oscar Wilde and H.G. Wells.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Alexandra Lewis

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Programme Level 4
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Either English (EL) or BSc Medical Science (Medical Humanities)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Psychology, neurology and criminology came to the forefront of late-nineteenth-century thought about a number of pressing issues and anxieties: post-Darwinian fears of decline and degeneration; decadence and neurasthenia; the strains upon and secrets within city spaces; New (and fallen) Women, and imperialist expansion and its attendant masculinities. Examining interdisciplinary exchange between literature and sciences of mind in the period 1880-1901, we will engage in close reading of several key texts to generate an understanding of the role and scope of the novel genre at this time of social, cultural and aesthetic upheaval. Authors studied may include Thomas Hardy, Olive Schreiner, Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling, Robert Louis Stevenson, Oscar Wilde and H.G. Wells.

Further Information & Notes

This is a 12-week course.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

First Assessment:

Continuous assessment (100%) comprising:

  • One 3000 word essay (80%)
  • Group presentation (10%)
  • Seminar Assessment Mark (weekly participation) (10%)
  • Formative assessment: one 2500 word close reading exercise

Resit:

  • one 3000 word essay (100%)

 

Formative Assessment

Students will be encouraged to seek formative feedback on their seminar performance. In-seminar discussions will aid students in knowing what is expected of them in the course.

Feedback

Verbal feedback will be given throughout seminar discussion. Formative and summative assessment will be provided via oral and written feedback on assessed work. Students will also be encouraged to engage in peer feedback and to discuss their progress with their tutor.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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