This survey course will examine the history of British literature after 1800 through the lens of space and place. Focusing on three spatial contexts closely associated with British culture: the home, the city (London, in particular), and the empire, we as a class will consider how literary representations of these overlapping spatial scales contribute to shifting conceptions of British identity, as well as intersect with the construction of gender, class, and race. In short, we will explore the relationship between space, literature, and identity. More generally, we will trace the evolution of societal norms and narrative styles over a period 200+ years and investigate how various authors have responded to issues surrounding British domesticity, urbanization, and imperial expansion.
This course focuses on three spatial contexts closely associated with British culture: the home, the city (London, in particular), and the empire. Together, we will consider how literary representations of these overlapping spatial scales contribute to shifting conceptions of British identity, as well as intersect with the construction of gender, class, and race. We will use this map in conjunction with our timelime to make explore the relationship between space, literature, and identity.
We'll use this timeline to plot the relationship between our course texts and historical events. At three different points during the semester (after each of our major units: Romantics, Victorians, and Moderns), you'll be asked to contribute an event to this timeline. Your contribution should provide a brief overview of a significant and interesting cultural or political event, as well as a brief reflection that connects that event to our course themes and texts.
Each contribution should be approximately 300-500 words (think 2-3 meaty paragraphs). You should consult academic sources to write your event overview; however, you must cite your sources and the language of your posts must be your own. In addition to providing a works cited list at the end of your event overview and reflection ("Description"), you should also aim to provide accurate event dates or date ranges, a location tag (when appropriate), and an image to illustrate your event on the timeline. Images must be...
more