ENGL3002

Charles Dickens

10 Units 3000 Level Course

Not available in 2014

Previously offered in 2011, 2005

The course is a study of the novels of one of English literature's most popular and important writers, Charles Dickens (1812-1870). It treats those novels in both their literary and historical contexts. Dickens was the first true literary celebrity, and his novels trace the emergence of a new social reality out of the chaos of the industrial revolution: the study of his work thus connects with every major issue surrounding the rise of modernity.

Objectives Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate:
1. a detailed understanding of the major novels of Charles Dickens, in their historical and literary contexts;
2. an understanding of the terms "romance" and "realism", and a sense of how these interact in the formation of the modern novel;
3. a sense of how fiction, and the arts generally, participate in the production of new social ideologies;
4. the critical role played by Dickens's work in the emegence of a range of modern ideas.
Content The course will focus on a detailed chronological study of Dickens's major novels. Topics treated include:
1. Rhetorical and narrative strategies in Dickens;
2. Dickens's integration of the new techniques of literary realism with the ancient structures of comedy and romance;
3. the response of Dickens's novels to the upheaval of the industrial revolution;
4. Dickens's contribution to a range of modern ideas, including those concerning social class and society, identity formation and the role of women;
5. Dickens's sense of the threat posed to individual identity, and to the family, by institutions of social management and discipline; and
6. the critical debates surrounding Dickens, including whether the social "message" of his work should be seen as progressive or conservative.
Replacing Course(s) This course (in 2003) with 4 other 10 unit new courses replaces deleted courses:
ENGL3040 Race and Writing 20 units
ENGL3560 Restoration Literature 20 units
ENGL3670 Australian Young Adult Fiction 10 units
Transition n/a
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge 20 units of 1000-level English.
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Seminar
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments Two or more written assignments, which might include minor or major essays, tutorial papers, book reviews, online quiz, blogs, essay proposals, bibliographies or other similar exercises, totalling 1000-4500 words.
Other: (please specify) Students must submit all assessment items in order to complete the course.

Specific instructions about the weighting, timing and word limits of all assessment tasks will be found in the course outline available in the first two weeks of semester.
Contact Hours Seminar: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term