Background and Rationale

The main objectives of the course are to:
• investigate the development, range and characteristics of the Victorian Novel.
• chart forms and concerns of the novels themselves, as well as the wider historical, social and philosophical concepts which inform them.
• introduce critical and theoretical material will be introduced to the student in order for them to situate their own critical responses
• provide a thorough grounding in the fiction of the period.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of the course students are expected to be able to:
1. Analyse novels of the nineteenth century in terms of form and language, character and structural meaning.
2. Incorporate elements of the historical and social aspects of the period into an understanding of the texts.
3. Write analytical essays on topics drawn from the texts;
4. Analyse, assess and apply secondary critical sources on the subjects and texts studied.
5. Understand the basics of theoretical and philosophical concerns associated with the novel.