Cosmic Pandaemonium in Paradise Lost

This subject is not offered in 2016.

Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, including class time.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or honours in English & theatre studies.

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ENGL40022 Cosmic Pandemonium in Paradise Lost

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject explores the great revolutions of the English seventeenth century through the prism of John Milton's epic Paradise Lost (1667, 1674). Weekly seminars will offer a close reading of each of the 12 books of the poem in the context of significant political, economic, theological and epistemological breaks exemplified by the English Revolution of 1642. These include the expansion and diversification of radical Protestant and Puritan religious sects; experiments with new forms of government such as the republic and constitutional monarchy; the origins of modern science and technology with Bacon, Galileo and Descartes; transformations in sexual and familial relationships; the development and regulation of new forms of print culture; and the founding of institutions like the Royal Society of London for the Improving of Natural Knowledge (1662). Topics to be covered will include: genre, theology, sex, politics, militarism, education, science, censorship, architecture and aesthetics.

• have acquired additional information, methodology or skills directly relevant to their program of study.

An essay of 5000 words 100% (due in the examination period). Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% (or 10 out of 12) classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Any student who fails to meet this hurdle without valid reason will not be eligible to pass the subject. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Essays submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalised 2% per day. Essays submitted after two weeks of the assessment due date without a formally approved application for special consideration or an extension will only be marked on a pass/fail basis if accepted.

A subject reader will be available.

• S Orgel et al (eds), John Milton, OUP.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• be able to apply new research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;

• have developed critical self-awareness and shape and strengthen persuasive arguments; and

• be able to communicate arguments and ideas effectively and articulately, both in writing and to others.