Course Catalogue

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This course examines Victorian popular fiction through a range of authors, genres and publishing models. It explores the cultural contexts which shaped some of the most popular genres of the period, from sensational crime writing to the spectres which haunted the late-Victorian imagination. It explores critical approaches and models for analysing popular literature, canonicity and receptions. Students will learn how to conduct advanced primary research in digital periodicals and how to communicate their research accessibly and engagingly for popular audiences today.

7 x 90 min seminars over ten weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

2 x 2hr lectures

1 x 2hr library session.

1 x 2hr 'writing for popular audiences' session (Online asynchronous)

1 x 90min article 'pitch' workshop

This is one of the Honours options in English Literature and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Successful completion of Junior Honours English Literature, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

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The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Written assignment - 1500 words (35%, midterm) 

■ Oral Presentation - 7 mins (15%)  

■ Final Essay - 2500 words (50%) 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the Written assignment, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ Recorded presentation or one-to-one presentation / discussion/Q&A with staff (where presentation would normally be in class) as alternative to presentation.

■ There are no alternatives to the essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ develop knowledge of the major works and genres of Victorian popular fiction and their cultural contexts

■ engage with major contextual and critical debates in the contemporary field of Victorian popular culture studies

■ develop advanced level research and critical writing skills

■ acquire skills in digital archival research relevant to the study of Victorian popular fiction

develop employability skills by communicating research according to a work-related brief

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ engage critically with major works and genres of Victorian popular fiction

■ write knowledgeably about the cultural contexts emergence and development of popular fiction genres across the nineteenth century

■ demonstrate the ability to independently locate and analyse primary source material from Victorian print culture using digital research methods and tools

■ evaluate contemporary critical approaches to Victorian popular culture studies

■ communicate research in popular Victorian culture for contemporary audiences and reflect upon the transferability of skills for employability