This course will focus on the religious, political and social contexts that shaped intellectual and creative writing in the period 1640-1714 (i.e., the Civil Wars to the death of Queen Anne). Particular emphasis will be placed on the intersections between literary and non-literary texts. We will explore discourses about kingship and patriarchy, religious enthusiasm, libertinism, and the status of women. Some of the writers we will cover include Hobbes, Locke, Dryden, Rochester, Behn, Milton, and Astell. Special attention will be paid to the literary tactics deployed by non-literary writers and tropes of revolutionary thought (e.g., destruction, creation and reconstruction).

On completion of the module students will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of some of the key literary, religious, political and social texts of the period; be able to discuss significant themes, tropes, and discourses; and consider how non-literary texts interface with contemporary literary works.

Timetabled sessions includelectures and discussion sessions where students will be expected to make presentations and/or lead discussion. Lectures are usually supplemented with handouts or powerpoints. These are usually made available to students on Learning Central at least 24 hours before the session.

There will be a weekly lecture across the term supported by two weekly seminars. The lectures aim to provide key knowledge and critical perspectives on all the texts on the module; the seminars provide the opportunity for close analysis and small group discussion.

There is a participation mark of 10% on this course. Participation will be assessed based upon a presentation of a small piece of textual analysis (no more than 500 words). The midterm assignment is a commonplace book of approximately 1200 words (30%). Final assessment is one essay of 1800 words (60%).

The particular skills of the module bear upon reading and understanding how religious, political, and literary texts interface in a given historical period. This requires careful scholarship, sensitivity to language and historical awareness. Employability skills include the ability to synthesise information, operating in group-based discussion involving negotiating ideas and producing clear, informed arguments in a professional manner.

The module is assessed by two pieces of written work and a participation mark based on a seminar presentation at any point during the term. The presentation will entail a close reading of 10-20 lines of that week’s set text (you will be asked to turn in a short summary of the presentation). The first assignment (a commonplace book) allows students to practise a range of generic forms as part of their commonplace book entries (article/book reviews, presentation summary, journal entries, short critical analyses, etc). The second assignment will be an essay covering the full range of texts on the course.

This module is assessed according to the Marking Criteria set out in the English Literature Course Guide. There are otherwise no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.

The main readings for this module are contained in a published anthology and a course reader. Students should contact the module leader as early as possible if they will require readings in an alternative format.

Week 1 –Introduction – Civil War, Restoration and a Glorious Revolution

Week 2 – Theories of Government– Hobbes, from Leviathan [D12]; Filmer, from Patriarcha [D9]; and Locke, from Civil Government [D260]

Week 3 – Literary Politics– Marvell, ‘An Horation Ode upon Cromwell’s Return from Ireland [D181] Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel [D214]

Week 4 - Literary Anti-Politics - Philips, ‘Friendship’s Mystery, To my dearest Lucasia’ [D251] and ‘To Antenor, on a Paper of mine’ [D258]; Anne Finch, ‘The Petition for an Absolute Retreat’ [D399]

Week 5 – Sexual Politics– Rochester, ‘The Imperfect Enjoyment’ [D336]; Behn, ‘The Disappointment’ [D283]

Week 6 – Milton’s Political Prose and Religious Poetry – Milton, from Areopagitica[D32] and Paradise Lost Book IX [D105]

Week 7 – Political Drama – Nathaniel Lee, Lucius Junius Brutus (1680)

Week 8 – Religious Enthusiasm- Abiezer Coppe, from A Fiery Flying Rolland A Second Fiery Flying Roll [D158]

Week 9 – Theories of Human Nature – Rochester, ‘A Satyr on Reason and Mankind’ [D341]; Anne Wharton, ‘Wit’s Abuse’ [D362], Anne Finch, ‘The Spleen’ [D411]

Week 10 – Status of Women – Margaret Fell Fox, from Women’s Speaking Justified [D146]; Defoe, ‘An Academy for Women’ [D364]; Astell, from A Serious Proposal [D422]

Course Text: British Literature 1640 - 1789: An Anthology, 3rd Edition, ed. Robert DeMaria, Jr. (Blackwells, 2008) = [D]

Course Reader: contains Nathaniel Lee, Lucius Junius Brutus (1680)