Overview

Syllabus:

1. CITIZEN NARRATIVES: Deloney - Jack of Newbury; Dekker - The Shoemaker’s Holiday
2. [SELF-]GOVERNMENT: Marlowe: Edward II; Bacon: ‘Of Seditions and Troubles’, ‘Of Ambition’, ‘Of Followers and Friends’
3. INTIMACY: Gascoigne: The Adventures of Master F.J.; Donne – ‘Sappho to Philaenis’; Linche – ‘The last so sweet…’; Barnes – ‘Jove for Europa’s love…’
4. REVENGE – Marston: The Malcontent; Bacon ‘Of Revenge’
5. COMEDY I: Jonson: Bartholomew Fair; Bacon - ‘Of Simulation and Dissimulation’
6. ROMANCE: Shakespeare Cymbeline; G.B.A.F. A discovery of the great subtiltie (1591)
7. COMEDY II: Beaumont: The Knight of the Burning Pestle;
8. 17c POETICS: Henry Vaughan; Robert Herrick; Lucy Hutchinson.
9. HEROISM: Milton -Samson Agonistes
10. RESTORATION SOCIETY: Etherege: The Man of Mode; Rochester Poems
11. EARLY FICTION & DEBATE: Eliz Heywood: Fantomina; Astell: Some Reflections; Katherine Phillips Poems
12. Revision Week

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Typically, work graded D- to D+ (or 40 to 49) will show many of the following qualities: •Unsure and lacking in confidence when discussing ideas •Referring to the subject in question in a superficial manner •Making an effort to provide fairly balanced answers •Some points in the argument irrelevant to the topic •Little evidence of background reading •Some uncertainty over language and syntax •Strengths and weaknesses fairly balanced; occasionally clumsy and unimaginative •In creative work: superficial •Not succeeding in mastering the requirements of the medium

-good -Typically, work graded B- to B+ (or 60 to 69) will show many of the following qualities: •Discusses ideas adeptly •Most of the arguments about a specific field are well-aired •Displays knowledge of the subject in question; the answer is relevant •Shows analytical and clear thought •Gives evidence of relevant reading •Shows accuracy in expression with mastery over language. •A few minor errors here and there. •Signs of creative thought deserve a higher position within the class •In creative work: shows signs of originality, having understood the requirements of the medium •Plans of well-balanced and full answers, despite some gapsTypically, work graded C- to C+ (or 50 to 59) will show many of the following qualities: •Discusses ideas, but without much confidence •A respectable effort but not showing any unusual talent; a few flashes of originality here and there •Makes reference to the subject in question, but some important matters not mentioned •Fairly clear thought on most occasions, and the arguments relevant on the whole •Evidence of having read some works associated with the field in question •Quite accurate expression, though the points may sometimes be presented clumsily •Signs of conscientious work deserve a higher position within the class •In creative work: not having quite mastered the requirements of the medium
•Evidence of planning in the answers, but a lack of coherence at times; undisciplined and unsure at times

-excellent -Typically, work graded A- to A** (or 70 to 100) will show many of the following qualities: •Discusses ideas with confidence and precision •Demonstrates maturity and sophistication •Displays deep knowledge of the subject in question; the answer is totally relevant •Shows independent, analytical and clear thought •Gives evidence of substantial and relevant reading •Shows great accuracy in expression, displaying total mastery over all aspects of the language •Shows occasional signs of brilliance and originality of thought •In creative work: displays considerable originality •Command over medium; may have potential for publication/production

Learning Outcomes

• Digest and critically analyse a diverse range of textual evidence and forms.

• Identify relationships between literary texts, genre, and material form.

• On completion of the module, students will be able to apply appropriate theoretical frameworks to the study of early modern literary genres and forms.

• Understand and critically discuss early modern texts in their historic and cultural contexts.