Ways into advanced literary study

By the end of the course you will have met a wide and contrasting range of poetry, prose and drama
You will have considered how literature responds to historical, social and cultural conditions
You will have seen how different approaches can be used in the reading of literature
You will have practised the skills required of a good student of literature at higher level, including seminar discussion and the writing of two critical essays.
A completion certificate will outline what you have covered on the course.

You will be provided with a poetry anthology, and there will be handouts each week. You will need to provide a file for these materials, for reference.

Texts you will need to buy or borrow:
Othello by William Shakespeare (Penguin Classics, 2015)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Oxford World Classics, 2008, ed. M.K. Joseph)
Hard Times by Charles Dickens (Penguin Classics, 2003, ed. Kate Flint)
A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (Methuen Student Edition, 2008).
Mrs. Warren’s Profession by George Bernard Shaw (Plays Unpleasant: Widowers’ Houses, The Philanderer and Mrs

Small group and whole class discussion, led by the tutor, will be central to this course. In addition to the class sessions, there will be three Saturday tutorials from 10:30-13:00, which will be devoted to skills, particularly of essay writing. These tutorials will allow you to take full advantage of developing your study skills.

The writing of the two essays (one in each term) and preparation for seminar presentation will also take up time outside class. There will be between 2-3 hours of preparation for classes each week.