Module Code - Title:
EH4022
-
ENGLISH LITERATURE 2: EARLY MODERN POETRY AND PLAYS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The purpose of this module is to further develop the introduction of foundational skills to students of English literature, following on from English Literature 1, with a focus on Early Modern poetry and plays in particular.
Syllabus:
This module introduces students to genre-based studies in poetry and drama, with particular emphasis on significant ideas and key works from the Early Modern period. The period studied sees the introduction both of new philosophies, such as humanism, and new literary forms, such as the sonnet. Therefore, a selection of core drama and poetry texts will be surveyed within their cultural, social, and political contexts in order to develop a secure knowledge base and critical appreciation of Early Modern Literature and the stylistic, historical, and gender dynamics of the period. This account of the poetic and dramatic developments of the period will equip students with the skills to identify and critically analyse poetic forms and dramatic conventions.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Demonstrate familiarity with key issues arising in a selection of literary and cultural texts from the Early Modern period;
Examine the prescribed texts in the cultural, political, and social contexts in which they were produced;
Relate texts to literary traditions;
Distinguish between different poetic genres;
Interpret and analyse texts through an established process of close reading;
Evaluate arguments relating to interpretation, concepts, and theories with respect to the prescribed texts;
Write an essay on a set topic at the appropriate level.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
This module should augment students' critical appreciation of literary artefacts by exposing them to the stylistic, historical and cultural factors involved in the creation of literature. On successful completion of this module, students should be able to utilise their learning activities as a basis for further independent cultural and literary development.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module consists of two lectures and one tutorial per week. Through a combination of lecture and class interaction, students will be engaged in active learning both inside and outside the classroom and will be encouraged to carry out self-directed work (e.g. library and research projects) relating to the material covered on this module.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Greenblatt, S. (ed.) (2018)
The Norton Anthology of English Literature, vol. B
, Norton
Other Relevant Texts:
Booth, S. (2000)
Shakespeare's Sonnets
, Yale Nota Bene
Corns, T. N. (ed.) (1993)
The Cambridge Companion to English Poetry: Donne to Marvell
, Cambridge UP
Dansan, L. (2000)
Shakespeare's Dramatic Genres
, Oxford UP
Hadfield, A. (2001)
English Renaissance 1500-1620
, Blackwell
Hattaway, M.l (ed.) (2000)
Companion to English Renaissance Literature and Culture
, Blackwell
Hyland, P. (1996)
An Introduction to Shakespeare: the dramatist in his context
, Palgrave
McDonald, R. (ed.) (2004)
Shakespeare: An Anthology of Criticism and Theory 1945-2000
, Blackwell
Pollard, T. (2004)
Shakespeare's Theatre: a Sourcebook
, Blackwell
Kinney, A. F. (ed.) (2000)
Cambridge Companion to English Literature 1500-1600
, Cambridge UP
Schiffer, J. (ed.) (2000)
Shakespeare's Sonnets: Critical essays
, Garland
Vendler, H. (1999)
The Art of Shakespeare's Sonnets
, Belknap
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BAULARUFA - ARTS
BLLAPLUFA - (LAW PLUS)
BAJNMEUFA - JOURNALISM AND NEW MEDIA
BSPHEDUFA - PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
Carrie.Griffin@ul.ie