The Romantic Imagination: Goethe to Mary Shelley

Course Description
The romantic movement which swept Europe from the end of the 18th century to the beginning of the 19th signaled a major shift from the Enlightenment’s belief in reason and equality to a renewed respect for the imagination and individual talent. In this seminar we will learn to appreciate and contextualise the works of the remarkable writers and artists of the period, from Goethe to Marry Shelley, as well as understand the historical and conceptual problems they were engaging with.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Comprehend the underlying concepts and aesthetics of romanticism;
• Understand how writers and artists embraced new concepts and sought for innovation in thinking and art;
• Perform close reading and analysis of individual literary works;
• Improve their skills of critical thinking, close reading, oral presentation, academic writing, and independent research.