Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This course offers an introduction to studying the relationship between nineteenth-century literature and medicine. It seeks to explore critical approaches and theoretical models of relevance when addressing literary representations of embodiment and related medical discourses, and to encourage students to engage in independent research in the field of Literature and Medicine, as well as introducing them to the related field of Disability Studies. Considering a wide range of texts from a variety of genres, students will examine the changing relationship between literary and medical writers and shifts in medical paradigms and cultural contexts in the nineteenth century as medicine becomes a more professionalised and specialised discourse.

9 x weekly seminars 2 hours
1 2-hour workshop session/external visit

Standard entry to Masters at College level.

n/a

n/a

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ 1 x 1,500-word mid-term essay (research exercise) - 30% 

■ 1 x 3,500-word final essay - 70% 

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 assessments, 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 provides students with the opportunity to:

■ Study a wide range of nineteenth-century literary and medical texts 

■ Familiarise themselves with critical approaches and theoretical models of relevance when addressing literary representations of embodiment and related medical discourses

■ Examine shifts in medical paradigms and cultural contexts in the nineteenth century

■ Engage with the rich range of library resources available within the city of Glasgow to study the relationship between nineteenth-century literature and medicine

■ Develop independent research skills through formulating and researching essay topics with appropriate guidance

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

■ Analyse nineteenth-century literary and medical texts, with an awareness of shifts in medical paradigms and cultural contexts

■ Apply relevant critical approaches and theoretical models when addressing literary representations of embodiment and related medical discourses

■ Use library resources effectively to identify relevant primary and secondary sources for postgraduate research in the field of Literature and Medicine

■ Synthesise responses to the material studied on the course in written form through coherent and sustained argument at an advanced level