Undergraduate Course: John Dryden, Stuart Laureate: Poetry and Politics in Restoration England (ENLI10287)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | English Literature |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course encourages students to explore the polticis of literary writing during the Restoration. Taking as its central focus the post of Poet Laureate and it smost influential incumbent, John Dryden, this course investigates literature as a public discourse: its presentations of sex, gender, religion, and private and public identity. Beginning with a discussion of Dryden's celebrations of national events such as the restoration of Charles the Second, it goes on to examine his key part in the transformation of dramatic performance in the re-opened theatres, the political and propagandistic roles of his poetry during the crisis about royal succession in the 1670s and 80s, his engagement in the new modes of party politics, the continual tensions over religious belief, and his loss of the Laureateship in the aftermath of the Revolution. Students will also have the opportunity to consider how Dryden's practice and theory shaped the ways in which the literature of the period related to classical literary precedents and to other art forms such as painting and music. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Scottish Literature 1 (ENLI08016)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Essential course texts |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | A MINIMUM of three college/university level literature courses at grade B or above (should include no more than one introductory level literature course). Related courses such as civilisation or creative writing are not considered for admission to this course.
Applicants should also note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission. In making admissions decisions, preference will be given to students who achieve above the minimum requirement with the typical visiting student admitted to this course having three to four literature classes at grade A. |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| By the end of the course successful students will have learned to explore the politicsof lterary representation in the late seventeenth centiry, in terms of both the theories of literature produced during the period and practical examples of literary writing. They will understand how literature functioned as a public discourse engaged both in part-political conflicts and celebrations of national identity. They will recognise and be able to debate how theories of literary production and of literatures relations with other art forms such as painting and music developed during the Restoration period and continue to shape the ways in which literature is considered today. |
Assessment Information
1 essay of 2,500 words (25%)
1 examination essay of 3,000 words (75%)
Visiting Student Variant Assessment
1 essay of 2,500 words (25%)
1 examination essay of 3,000 words (75%) |
Special Arrangements
| Numbers are limited and students taking degrees not involving English or Scottish literature need the written approval of the head of English Literature. |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Simon Malpas
Tel: (0131 6)50 3618
Email: Simon.Malpas@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Anne Mason
Tel: (0131 6)50 3618
Email: Anne.Mason@ed.ac.uk |
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