AJ16067 Stripping the Brontës

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2015
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 2 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Alžběta Rubinatti (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 14:10–15:45 B2.51
Prerequisites (in Czech)
AJ09999 Qualifying Examination || AJ01002 Practical English II
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course is designed to introduce the Brontë sisters and their work. We will read the three most famous novels by the Brontës and a number of essays discussing various aspects of the Brontë phenomenon. In order to better understand both the writers and their work, we will also closely examine the social, political and cultural background from which the writers emerged and in which they worked; also, we will analyse social, political and cultural impact of the Brontës’ works on both their contemporaries and later generations. In addition, we will study reception and interpretation of the Brontes and their works and how they developed and changed over time.
Syllabus
  • September 29 is an intro session. No compulsory reading. Session 1: Context I: Social, Political and Economic Background Compulsory reading: “The Fabric of Society” by Patricia Ingham “The Nineteenth Century” by Ronald Carter and John McRae ☕ Session 2: Context II: Literary Background: Victorians, Influences and Formative Elements of the Period Compulsory reading: “The Romantic Period” by Ronald Carter and John McRae “The Literary Context” by Patricia Ingham ☕ Session 3: Background: The Brontës’ Origin Compulsory reading: “The Haworth Context” by Juliet Barker “The Lives of Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë” by Patricia Ingham ☕ Session 4: Charlotte Brontë and Jane Eyre I: Religion, Gender Roles and Their Characteristics Compulsory reading: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Volume I ☕ Session 5: Charlotte Brontë and Jane Eyre II: Social and Sexual Role of Women in Society, or Charlotte Brontë, the Social Conformist Compulsory reading: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Volume II ☕ Session 6: Charlotte Brontë and Jane Eyre III: Reception and Interpretation of Charlotte Brontë Throughout Time Compulsory reading: “Introduction” by Michael Mason Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Volume III ☕ Session 7: Emily Brontë and Wuthering Heights I: Religion, the Role of Women in Society Compulsory reading: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, chapters 1-12 ☕ Session 8: Emily Brontë and Wuthering Heights II: Emily Brontë, the Mad Genius, or Reception and Interpretation of Emily Brontë Throughout Time Compulsory reading: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, chapters 13-24 ☕ Session 9: Emily Brontë and Wuthering Heights III: Textual and Narrative Tools Used by Emily Brontë, or The Fabric or Wuthering Heights Compulsory reading: “Introduction” by Patsy Stoneman Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, chapters 25-34 ☕ Session 10: Anne Brontë and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall I: Social and Sexual Role of Women, Women in the Workplace, Religion Compulsory reading: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë, chapters 1-28 ☕ Session 11: Anne Brontë and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall II: Education, Gender Roles and Their Ascribed Characteristics; Personal, Religious and Economic Freedom Compulsory reading: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë, chapters 29-52 ☕ Session 12: Anne Brontë and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall III: Reception and Interpretation of Anne Brontë Throughout Time, or the Forgotten Brontë Sister, the Rebel Compulsory reading: Anne Brontë: The Other One by Elizabeth Langland “Strong Family Likeness: Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” by Jill Matus ☕ Session 13: The Brontë Myth Compulsory reading: The Brontë Myth by Lucasta Millers (excerpts) “Introduction” by Miriam Allott “The Brontë Myth” by Patsy Stoneman
Teaching methods
Sessions will consist of a lecture and a class discussion. Students will be divided into groups of 3 and every week one of the groups will prepare and chair a discussion on previously agreed and assigned topics. At the end of the term, students will submit a final essay. The final essay will be 2500 – 3000 words long, following all MLA style guidelines, and discussing a Brontë related topic. All readings will be accessible in pdf format on the course’s ELF page.
Assessment methods
The grade will be decided based on: preparation for and active participation in group discussions (60%) and the final essay (40%) ❗ Attendance: Students are allowed to miss one lesson ❗ Reading: There are no optional reading recommendations. The readings listed on the syllabus are COMPULSORY. Students are required to read all items listed for each seminar beforehand and base their discussions on them ❗
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.

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