This course examines a range of Victorian texts including fiction, criticism, drama and poetry, and investigates the ways in which realist and fantastic genres shaped one another. Authors studied may include: George Eliot, Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens, Aubrey Beardsley, Anthony Trollope, Christina Rossetti, Robert Browning, Alfred Tennyson, William Morris, Oscar Wilde, Ellen Wood, Olive Schreiner, George Gissing, and J. R. Planché.

1 x 2hr seminar per week over ten weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

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

 The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (1500 words): 25% 

■ Seminar contribution: 10% 

■ Seminar presentation of 7 minutes: 15% 

■ Essay (3000 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 essays, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ Written self-evaluation reflecting on seminar contribution or written response to seminar material in advance or after seminar as alternative to seminar contribution.

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

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

This course aims to:

■ study a range of texts illustrating the growth of realist and fantastic genres and modes

■ develop your understanding of some key critical concepts including genre and readership

■ deepen your knowledge of Victorian literary history.

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

■ reflect critically on the historical development of realism and fantasy in Victorian literature

■ explain contrasting critical approaches to concepts of realism and fantasy in literature

■ write a research essay using professional standards of referencing and presentation

■ prepare and deliver an oral presentation using Powerpoint or Prezi in a professional manner

■ communicate responses to the material studied on the course both orally and in written form through coherent and sustained argument.

■ develop resilience and time management through effectively planning, undertaking and submitting coursework.

■ deal with change and new challenges by applying their disciplinary skills and knowledge to previously unfamiliar research areas and questions.