This course examines how early modern literary writers engage with a variety of political, religious, and philosophical ideas. We will consider subjects like the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, the idea of Rome ancient and modern, women and prophecy, self-writing, the 'New Science', speculative thought/poetry, and anti-Catholicism.

1 x 1hr workshop and 1 x 1hr 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. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

ENGLIT4078  Religion, Politics and Philosophy

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (2000 words): 35% 

■ Essay (3000 words): 50%  

■ Seminar presentation of 5 minutes: 10%  

■ Seminar contribution: 5% 

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 Essay (2000 words), but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ There are no alternatives to the Essay (3000 words), 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.

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

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

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ study a wide range of literary works by early modern men and women writing from a variety of ideological perspectives

■ explore and explain some of the major religious, political, and philosophical debates in early modern England

■ develop the necessary writing and research skills needed to discuss early modern literature in context.

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

■ contextualise and discuss early modern literature in relation to at least two of the ideological perspectives covered on the course

■ analyse a number of literary and rhetorical methods commonly used by early modern writers

■ critically evaluate an appropriate range of primary and secondary sources

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

■ demonstrate 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.