Learning outcomes

At the end of this teaching unit, students will be able to:

  • Discuss the evolution of English literature in its various, increasingly international contexts;
  • Conceptualize the complexity of literature (genres, media, ideology, reception, etc.);
  • Understand Anglophone texts in a wide range of contexts; discuss the topics introduced in class in English, at least at a B1 level (following the CEFR).


Goals

  • Be able to discuss the evolution of English literature in its various, increasingly international contexts;
  • Begin to conceptualize the complexity of literature (genres, media, ideology, reception, etc.) and develop a methodological awareness;
  • Acquire the technical vocabulary of literary studies;
  • Construct the foundations of a sound cultural literacy and literary erudition;
  • Improve the student's knowledge of the English language in a wide range of uses and stylistic and historical variants, and help them to achieve a B2 level (following the CEFR).


Content

This course covers the development of English literature from the Restoration period (1660) onwards. The main chapters cover the classical period, the Romantics, the Victorians and the twentieth century (and beyond). The focus is on British literature, but the global expansion of the English language and its literature is also taken into account. As in the first course, we emphasize the evolution and stratification of the various literary genres and the relationships between literature, language and social reality. Several poems and excerpts are used for illustration.

Table of contents

  • 1660-1789: The Neoclassical Period: Chronology - General historical context - Rationalism, deism and the Enlightenment - Neoclassical poetics - The democratisation of literature - The birth of the novel - Preromanticism and sensibility - Drama and theatre
  • 1789-1837: The Romantic Period: Chronology and general historical context - Romantic poetry - The novel
  • 1837-1901: The Victorian Period: Chronology - General historical context - Victorian sages, non-fictional prose and public debate - Poetry - The novel - Popular fiction on the fringe of the canon - Drama and theatre
  • 1901-now: The Twentieth Century (and Beyond): Chronology - Modernism - Post-Modernism - Literature, commercialisation and the modern media - The deterritorialisation of literature - The feminisation of literature - Poetry - The Novel, Edwardian and premodernist - The novel, the modernists - The novel, beyond modernism - The novel, the popular end of the market - (if time: The drama)

Exercices

There are no exercise sessions in this teaching unit.

Teaching methods

Taught lectures involving active participation of the students, who will have previously studied the relevant chapter or the text indicated in advance. The teacher briefly summarises the main ideas of the section under study; questions are asked and answers given in both directions; additional examples and more food for thought are provided. Given the teacher's interactive approach it is imperative for students to prepare lectures in advance.

Assessment method

Written examination on the course material ('Coursebook' and PowerPoint slides); no 'open book'.

Model exams will be posted on WebCampus and commented on during the final session of the lectures.

Sources, references and any support material

There are two volumes to be purchased: the "Coursebook" and the "Reader", available at "Réprographie". PowerPoint slides will be made available on WebCampus and extra illustration will be offered, for instance in the form of musical excerpts and video clips illustrating the various concepts, texts or periods covered.

The assessment will only test students' knowledge of the "Coursebook" and the slides, but they are strongly advised to buy the "Reader" as well, in order to prepare the lectures and follow the illustrative analyses that we will conduct during the lectures.

Language of instruction

English
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Philosophy Standard 0 3
Bachelor in History Standard 0 3
Bachelor in Law Standard 0 3
Bachelor in Philosophy Standard 2 3
Bachelor in History Standard 3 3
Bachelor in Law Standard 3 3