Renaissance To Restoration

This module examines the literature and culture of the English Renaissance and Restoration periods. This dynamic period witnessed the expansion of vernacular English, the development of a literary culture, new concepts of gender and identity, and political and religious turmoil. The module introduces students to a diverse range of writers and literary forms. The module begins by considering ideas of writing that developed in England from the late sixteenth century, before examining the poetry and drama of Shakespeare and his contemporaries in relation to evolving questions of self-fashioning, political power, cultural difference, gender and also class. Moving into the early seventeenth century, the module considers developments in literary styles through an examination of the sonnets of writers such as Mary Wroth as well as the metaphysical poetry of John Donne. It also assesses how political changes and religious debate are refracted in the work of writers including Andrew Marvell, Milton, and Dryden. By the end of the module, students should have an understanding of the major literary and cultural innovations of the period and the key contexts that informed them.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of major literary and cultural innovations of the English Renaissance and Restoration periods.
- Demonstrate an ability to read and understand a select number of exemplary texts in close detail
- Show an ability to situate these texts in relation to each other, the ideas of literary periods and a range of contexts, historical and theoretical.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the material and historical contexts that shape the making of literature and the circulation of literature
- Write responses to exam questions, making convincing arguments based on reading primary and secondary texts
- Identify and use relevant subject-specific electronic resources and other library and archival resources

Teaching & Learning Methods:
- Lectures: 20 hours
- Independent student activities: 60 hours

Assessment:
- Continuous Assessment: 50%
- University scheduled written examination: 50%