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English Literature

H. G. Wells: The War of the Worlds

In this course, Dr Keith Williams (University) explores H. G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds. We begin by thinking about the concept of ‘Mars fever’, focusing in particular on the reasons behind the resurgent interest in the planet in...

5 lectures

0:36:19

Dr Keith Williams

Dundee University

English Literature

Salinger: The Catcher in the Rye

In this course, Dr Sarah Graham (University of Leicester) explores J. D. Salinger's 1951 novel, The Catcher in the Rye. We begin with a broad introduction to Salinger's career as a writer as well as to what life was like...

6 lectures

0:58:45

Dr Sarah Graham

Leicester University

English Literature

The Poetry of W. B. Yeats

In this course, Dr Peter Howarth (Queen Mary, University of London) explores the poetry of W. B. Yeats through six key poems: 'An Irish Airman Foresees his Death', 'Easter, 1916', 'Leda and the Swan', 'No Second Troy', 'The Cold Heaven',...

6 lectures

1:08:54

Dr Peter Howarth

QMUL

English Literature

Woolf: Mrs Dalloway: Narrative Technique and Marriage

In this course, Dr Sowon Park (Oxford University) explores two key themes in Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway. In the first module, we look at the narrative style of the novel - arguing that the narrative style in Mrs Dalloway represents...

2 lectures

0:32:53

Dr Sowon Park

University of Oxford

English Literature

Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream

In this course, Professor Diane Purkiss (Oxford) explores Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, with a particular focus on some of the more magical aspects of the play. The course begins with an exploration of the idea of the "Midsummer Night"...

5 lectures

0:43:29

Prof. Diane Purkiss

University of Oxford

English Literature

Modernism: 2. Literature

In this course, Professor Max Saunders (King’s College, London) explores some classic works of modernist literature. We begin with a discussion of Henry James’ What Maisie Knew in module one, focussing in particular on James’ narrative ...

5 lectures

0:44:57

Prof. Max Saunders

King's College London

English Literature

Forster: A Room With a View

In this course, Professor Max Saunders (King's College, London) explores E. M. Forster's 1908 novel, A Room With a View. The course begins by thinking about the importance of guides and guidebooks in the novel, focusing in particular on the...

5 lectures

0:37:30

Prof. Max Saunders

King's College London

English Literature

Austen: Sense and Sensibility

In this course, Professor John Mullan (University College London) explores Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. In the first module, we think about the role of money in the novel. After that, we think about the themes of engagement and marriage....

5 lectures

1:01:11

Prof. John Mullan

UCL

English Literature

Joyce: Dubliners

In this course, we look at James Joyce's collection of short stories, Dubliners. In particular, we explore key themes in the collection by looking at groups of 2-3 stories. Having given an introduction to the Dublin of the late-19th and...

6 lectures

1:09:17

Mr Nicholas Collins

Warwick University

English Literature

Shakespeare: Coriolanus

In this course, Dr Martin Wiggins (The Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham) explores Shakespeare's Coriolanus. We begin by thinking about the political circumstances in which the action of the play takes place, focusing in particular...

8 lectures

1:02:14

Dr Martin Wiggins

The Shakespeare Institute

English Literature

Philosophy & Religious Studies

The Philosophy of Literature

In this course, Professor Peter Lamarque (University of York) provides a broad introduction to the philosophy of literature. In the first module, we think about what philosophy actually is. What kinds of questions does the philosopher of...

5 lectures

0:53:20

Prof. Peter Lamarque

York University

English Literature

Shakespeare: Macbeth

In this course Professor Lisa Hopkins (Sheffield Hallam University) provides of overview of some of the recent scholarship on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, with a focus on six key themes. In the first lecture we think about the representation of time in...

6 lectures

0:56:01

Prof. Lisa Hopkins

Sheffield Hallam University

English Literature

Shakespeare and Witchcraft

In this course, Professor Diane Purkiss (University of Oxford) explores the historical context around the witches in Shakespeare’s plays, especially Macbeth (1606). In the first module, we consider why Shakespeare might have written witches into...

6 lectures

0:52:19

Prof. Diane Purkiss

University of Oxford

English Literature

Conrad: Heart of Darkness

In this course, Dr Keith Carabine (University of Kent) explores Joseph Conrad's 1899 novella, Heart of Darkness. The course begins by thinking about Conrad's own experiences in Africa, as recorded in his 'Personal Record' (1912) and 'Geography and...

6 lectures

1:05:27

Dr Keith Carabine

Kent University

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