106-218 Romanticism, Feminism, Revolution

Usually 12.5 points of first-year English

This subject maps the intertwined (and sometimes antagonistic) trajectories of Romanticism and early Feminism, as they emerge in Britain in the wake of the American and French Revolutions. Drawing on prose, poetry and drama from this period (including texts by Byron, Blake, Godwin, Hays, Radcliffe, Robinson, Mary Shelley, P. B. Shelley and Wordsworth), it studies the construction of modern notions of literature, culture, sexuality, emancipation and revolution. In so doing, the subject brings into dialogue late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century philosophies of imagination and reason, accounts of the artist as Satan/Prometheus and Sappho, and myths of the lover as Don Juan and femme fatale. Students completing this subject should have a firm understanding of the literary, philosophical and cultural foundations of Romanticism and early Feminism, movements that have played key roles in the construction of the modern world.

• acquire skills in research through competent use of library, and other (including online) information sources; through the successful definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;

• acquire skills in critical thinking and analysis through use of recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion; through the questioning of accepted wisdom and the ability to shape and strengthen persuasive judgments and arguments; through attention to detail in reading material; and through openness to new ideas and the development of critical self-awareness;

• acquire skills in creative thinking through essay writing and tutorial discussion; through the innovative conceptualizing of problems and an appreciation of the role of creativity in critical analysis;

• acquire skills in social, ethical and cultural understanding through use of recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion; through the social contextualisation of arguments and judgments; through adaptations of knowledge to new situations and openness to new ideas; through the development of critical self-awareness in relation to an understanding of other cultures and practices;

An essay of 1500 words 40% (due mid-semester) and an essay of 2500 words 60% (due at the end of the semester).

• Duncan Wu (ed), Romanticism: An Anthology. Blackwell 2nd edition.
• Ann Radcliffe, Romance of the Forest. Oxford World's Classics.
• Mary Wollstonecraft, Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Penguin.
• William Godwin, Things as they are: or The Adventures of Caleb Williams. Oxford World's Classics.
• Mary Hays, Memoirs of Emma Courtney. Oxford World's Classics.
• Mary Robinson, Sappho and Phaon. Broadview Press.
• Mary Shelley, The Last Man. Oxford World's Classics.