130094 PS PS Literary Cross-Currents: An Introduction to the Romantic Movement (2016W)

The objective of this course is to provide students with a fundamental analysis of the tenets and themes that comprised the Romantic Movement across Europe between 1770 and 1860. Emphasis is placed on both the individual and the artist, whose ‘heroic’ actions and achievements the Romantics believed would elevate the quality and consciousness of society. Our readings will explore the social and historical context that gave rise to Romanticism as an artistic, musical, literary and intellectual pursuit. The power of the imagination is central to our study. Emerging æsthetics of sublimity and beauty will be viewed through the authors’ confrontation of their own emotional responses to fear, awe, apprehension, horror and terror. Thus, with individualism and emotion as the source through which æsthetic experience could be perceived, entered into and felt, in the selected poems, novellas and novels under discussion in this course students will compass the means by which the Romantics sought to unravel the mysteries of the natural world and why they felt compelled to re-evaluate their place within that world.
There is no coursebook. However, students should attempt to procure copies of those novels that are not available electronically. The preparatory material for each lectureincluding relevant ‘excerpts from’ selectionswill be sent to students by email on the Thursday prior to Wednesday’s seminar; should PDF files be available online, a suitable link will be provided. Discussion will take place in English based on the translated versions of non-English readings; however, as the instructor has at least a reading familiarity with French, Italian and German, students are reminded of the comparative nature of this course and are strongly advised to pursue the works in their language of composition; written submissions may also include quoted passages from the original texts. Given the restrictions of time, the occasional listed work may be reduced to a cursory reading and will not be discussed in depth by the instructor; nonetheless, as discussion and debate are expected and indeed required, students are encouraged to open and advance dialogue on any subject pertaining to the course material.
The final grade for this course comprises the following parts:
•Ten five-minute quizzes: 10%
•Research assignment (750-1000 words): 20%
•Essay (1500-2000 words): 30%
•Final exam: 40%
There will be a brief quiz at the beginning of each lecture based on the weekly readings; the overall grade will be drawn from the highest eight. There will not be a formal oral component to this course; in lieu of the presentation, each student will complete a brief research assignment. Essay topics will be broad and should enable students to develop a topic based on their own interest in Romanticism.
As the lectures are a combination of visual presentation material and oral supplement, it is worth stating from the outset that regular attendance is essential to a proper understanding of this course; those who enrol are advised to clear their Wednesday evening schedules as classes will not close before half-past eight and, on occasion (and perhaps even frequently), may extend until nine.