A Short History of the Essay

The essay has long been a staple of the literary canon. Yet what exactly is it, and why does it come in so many different forms? In this course, we will consider its fluctuating history as a space for thinking, a work-in-progress, a mode of autobiography, and a sweeping survey of the cultural scene. Starting with the master Michel de Montaigne, we will read historically and contemporarily, towards Joan Didion and Adam Phillips, as we try to define ‘the essay’.

Tutor: Lucy Cheseldine BA MPhil PhD

Term: Autumn

Day: Tuesday

Start Date: 4 October 2022

Time: 7-9pm

No. of weeks: 8

Full fee: £79 

This course will be delivered via Zoom. Students joining the course will need access to a computer, laptop or tablet with a microphone (essential) and a webcam (desirable), as well as a reliable broadband connection.

Register for this course online