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.

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Written assignment - 1500 words (35%, midterm)

Oral Presentation - 7 mins (15%)

Final Essay - 2500 words (50%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

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

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.