Courses :: Module, READING THE HISTORICAL NOVEL

	Overview
	The historical novel is a very popular literary genre, and it continues to capture the imagination of fiction readers. It has also been of great interest to theorists of the novel. A key insight of this criticism is that a historical novel is less interesting for the story it tells us about history � the events of the past � than for those ideological perspectives on history � the weltanschaunng or world-view � encoded in the texture of the novel. These are some of the key questions we will be thinking about in this course: Does the novel convey a static or a dynamic sense of history? Is history merely a setting, a colourful backdrop, against which the action unfolds? Or does the author find a way of writing that conveys the complexity of historical development as it is experienced � intellectually, emotionally and sensuously � by individuals in the flux and flow of their lives as social beings? And how does the novelist achieve that � what artistic choices did they make? This module is seminar-based. The seminars are primarily based on close textual analysis of the novels, interspersed with discussion of examples of literary theory about the genre. Currently the novels on the course have in common that they are set during times of war. These novels are: Pat Barker, Regeneration (1991) Sarah Water, The Night Watch (2006) Sebastian Barry, Days Without End (2016).

Overview

The historical novel is a very popular literary genre, and it continues to capture the imagination of fiction readers. It has also been of great interest to theorists of the novel. A key insight of this criticism is that a historical novel is less interesting for the story it tells us about history � the events of the past � than for those ideological perspectives on history � the weltanschaunng or world-view � encoded in the texture of the novel. These are some of the key questions we will be thinking about in this course: Does the novel convey a static or a dynamic sense of history? Is history merely a setting, a colourful backdrop, against which the action unfolds? Or does the author find a way of writing that conveys the complexity of historical development as it is experienced � intellectually, emotionally and sensuously � by individuals in the flux and flow of their lives as social beings? And how does the novelist achieve that � what artistic choices did they make? This module is seminar-based. The seminars are primarily based on close textual analysis of the novels, interspersed with discussion of examples of literary theory about the genre. Currently the novels on the course have in common that they are set during times of war. These novels are: Pat Barker, Regeneration (1991) Sarah Water, The Night Watch (2006) Sebastian Barry, Days Without End (2016).

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Demonstrate a complex knowledge of key literary texts. Demonstrate an strong ability to assimilate and scrutinise critical readings Show an ability to appraise, identify and use varied contemporary critical and theoretical approaches to literature and culture Participate in seminar discussions; debate issues related to cultural context and socio-political circumstances; Demonstrate high quality verbal and written expression; the ability to make clear points in a lucid grammatical and confident manner. Write an essay on a chosen topic, demonstrating the ability to integrate source material and critical readings; synthesise arguments; justify critical approaches and opinions.

Learning Outcomes

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes Essay(s) and/or assignment(s)

Autumn Supplementals/Resits

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READING THE HISTORICAL NOVEL

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Semester 2