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Literature, Science & Revolution: Electricity from Franklin to Frankenstein - CES00012M

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  • Department: Centre for 18th Century Studies
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

  • To explore the relation between scientific discourse and the languages of literary expression and political debate in the long eighteenth century
  • To investigate the functions of figurative language in scientific and literary texts of the eighteenth century
  • To introduce students to the skills and techniques of interdisciplinary research

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

  • Knowledge of a wide range of eighteenth-century debates about electricity across a range of discourses
  • Awareness of the political significance of scientific controversy at the period
  • Extensive knowledge of recent critical and historical work relating to this topic

Academic and graduate skills

  • The research skills necessary to make good use of research resources available, including historical material such as newspapers and caricatures as well as literary texts
  • The research skills necessary to interdisciplinary study

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Written feedback, given in Week 5 for original assessment, and within two weeks of submission for re-assessed work

Indicative reading

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

Percy Bysshe Shelley Prometheus Unbound

Erasmus Darwin, The Economy of Vegetation

Helen Maria Williams A Tour in Switzerland.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores 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. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.