Romanticism, Feminism, Revolution

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

None

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 18th and early 19th 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.

Students who complete this subject will:

• be able to demonstrate a familiarity with some of the key texts, genres, assumptions, interpretative strategies and political tactics of Romanticism and early Feminism;
• have a broad understanding of the revolutionary social, economic and political changes that accompanied the emergence of Romanticism and early Feminism;
• have an overview of some of the chief exchanges between Romanticism and early Feminism;
• be able to demonstrate an awareness of recent developments in the study of Romanticism and early Feminism;
• have gained an overview of the roles played by Romanticism and early Feminism in the construction of the modern world;
• have acquired a transportable set of interpretative skills;
• have developed their capacity for independent research;
• have developed their capacity for critical thinking and analysis;
• have developed their ability to communicate in writing.

An essay of 1500 words 40% (due mid-semester) and an essay of 2500 words 60% (due at the end of the semester). This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

• The Norton Anthology of Engish Literature, Vol. D, The Romantic Period, (Jack Stillinger and Deirdre Lynch eds). 8th ed.
• Romance of the Forest (Ann Radcliffe), Oxford Worlds Classics
• Vindication of the Rights of Woman (Mary Wollstonecraft), Penguin
• Things as they are: or The Adventures of Caleb Williams (William Godwin), Oxford Worlds Classics
• Memoirs of Emma Courtney (Mary Hays), Oxford Worlds Classics
• Sappho and Phaon (Mary Robinson), Broadview Press
• The Last Man (Mary Shelley), Oxford Worlds Classics
• Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte), Oxford Worlds Classics
• Selected Writings (Letitia Landon) Broadview

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• 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.