106-423 Romanticism and Modernity

Formerly available as 106-079. Students who have completed 106-079 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually admission to the postgraduate diploma or fouth year honours in English, see Honours entry.

This subject offers an introduction to romanticism as a paradigmatic discourse of modernity, with particular emphasis on questions of gender, aesthetics and subjectivity. It also examines aspects of the role played by the ideology and discourse of romanticism in contemporary culture, with particular reference to the sublime and sexuality. Students who successfully complete this subject will be familiar with some of the key concepts and tropes in the discourse of romanticism; have a broad understanding of the relation between romanticism and modernity; and understand some of the cultural functions of the discourse of romanticism in contemporary culture.

• develop skills in social, ethical and cultural understanding;

• develop skills in critical, creative and theoretical thinking;

• develop skills in information management and information literacy;

• develop skills in intelligent and effective communication knowledge and ideas;

• develop written communication skills.

An essay of 5000 words for 4th year students or 6000 words for masters students 100% (due at the end of semester).

• B T Bennett & C E Robinson (eds), The Mary Shelley Reader. OUP.
• W Blake, Complete Poems. Penguin.
• T De Quincey, Confessions of an English Opium Eater and Other Writings. OUP.
• W Hazlitt, Selected Writings. Penguin.
• J F Lyotard, The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge.
• D Malouf, Remembering Babylon. Penguin.
• D M Thomas, The White Hotel. Penguin.
• D Wordsworth, M Moorman (ed), The Journals of Dorothy Wordsworth. OUP.
• W Wordsworth, Selected Poems.