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The Victorians - YorkCourse - 40N0124

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  • Department: English and Related Literature
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Jonathan Brockbank
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

Most of the inventions and settings of modern life can be traced back to the nineteenth century when the Industrial Revolution transformed Britain from a rural to an urban country to become the ‘workhouse of the world’. The human cost of this transformation preoccupies the major writers of this century, from the Bronte’s account of women caught between classes to Dicken’s exploration of the squalor of London. The psychological cost is of equal importance. This is the century that gives rise to the horror fiction of Stephenson and the science-fiction of H.G. Wells as the century moves towards the invention of psychoanalysis via fantasy works such those of Lewis Caroll.

In York you’ll walk streets familiar to the Brontes, Dickens and Collins as you consider the debt owed to this fascinating and contradictory century.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

  • Literary: to use a mixture of close reading and plot analysis to explore the different writing styles of the nineteenth century and their purpose.
  • Historical/political: to examine the diverse reactions to the rise of Britain from a small maritime island to the world’s major imperial power.
  • Sociological: to explore the changes in morality over the period, particularly the struggle for social rights women and children.
  • Cultural: to experience how the movements of the time are reflected in the art of the day, set against a view from below; the Britain of popular and traditional songs.

Module learning outcomes

  • To acquire knowledge of the major styles and trends of nineteenth century literature.
  • To appreciate the cultural reaction to some of the most significant events of the nineteenth century and their legacy.
  • To understand some of the major social shifts that occurred since 1800.
  • To identify some of the co-existing cultures of nineteenth century Britain.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive feedback on their work during the term in one-to-one tutorials.

Indicative reading

  • Charlotte Bronte: Jane Eyre
  • Dickens: Great Expectations
  • Caroll: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland/Through the Looking glass
  • Hardy: Tess of the D’Urbervilles


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.