Vertiefungsseminar The Victorians Society Culture Literature Fri 12.30 14.00

The Victorian age was not one, not single, simple, or unified, only in part because Victoria’s reign lasted so long that it comprised several periods. Above all, it was an age of paradox and power. (Landow 2009. -Victorian and Victorianism.- The Victorian Web.) Victorian, adj. fig. Resembling or typified by the attitudes supposedly characteristic of the Victorian era; prudish, strict; old-fashioned, out-dated. (OED Online. -Victorian, adj.2 and n.1.- Emphasis added.) Towards the end of the Victorian era, England had an estimated population of 25 million people – and that does not include Scotland and Wales. So it seems rather unfair to apply labels like -prudish- or -old-fashioned- wholesale to an entire society, particularly during a time when it was anything but unified. In some approaches to literature and its historical context there often appears a significant gulf between what was and what supposedly was. In this class, we will take a collaborative investigative approach and together try to find out as much as we can about the Victorians. We will look at the Victorian era and such issues as social reform, science and technological innovation, gender and sexuality, religion, philosophy, art and literary production and reception. This investigative approach will take the form of small research projects and presentations, which can be expanded into term papers. In addition, we will look at the sometimes difficult relationship between (literary) text and (historical) context. In addition to reading Victorian literary works and discussing recent scholarship on the Victorian era, this class emphasizes the study of sources from the Victorian era itself, including newspaper articles, reviews, political essays, magazines, scientific articles, etc. We will look at digital and digitized resources, explore different avenues of research, learn how to work with historical sources and take a critical look at common generalizations and statements regarding Victorian society. Weekly readings will include excerpts and chapters from different literary works as well as secondary sources. All texts and other resources will be made available electronically on ILIAS. Voraussetzungen Students are required to complete the assigned readings for each week. In addition, different groups will prepare additional material for each session, which includes written assignments, questions for discussions and oral presentations. Finally, all students are expected to participate in class. APs will take the form of term papers (Methodenmodul and Intermediate Module) or oral exams (Intermediate Module). Zielgruppe The class is open to students of the BA Vertiefungsmodul (PO 2005) / Intermediate Module and the Methodenmodul (PO 2011/2013). Anglistik u.Amerikanistik (BA, PO 2013) Kernfach Students are required to complete the assigned readings for each week. In addition, different groups will prepare additional material for each session, which includes written assignments, questions for discussions and oral presentations. Finally, all students are expected to participate in class. APs will take the form of term papers (Methodenmodul and Intermediate Module) or oral exams (Intermediate Module). Universität Düsseldorf WiSe 2015/16 Brümmer Gero