19th Century British Culture
Code
711121005
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Línguas, Culturas e Literaturas Modernas, Secção de Estudos Ingleses e Norte-Americanos
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Iolanda de Freitas Ramos
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
a) To acquire a general knowledge of 19th century British culture;
b) To become more learned in specific topics that are relevant to the study of 19th century British culture;
c) To identify Britain´s influence on the 19th century and the modernity of the Victorian legacy;
d) To develop research and debating skills in the field of cultural studies;
e) To write a short essay on the course syllabus.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
1. Historical and cultural introduction.
1.1. Facts and personalities.
1.2. Concepts and themes.
2. Political reform and economic revolution in 19th century Britain.
2.1. Political ideologies and the evolution of suffrage.
2.2. Utilitarianism and free trade.
2.3. Expansionism and imperialism.
3. Scientific debate and artistic intervention in Victorian culture.
3.1. Scientific and technological progress.
3.2. Creationism and evolutionary theory.
3.3. Artistic and aesthetic trends.
4.Tradition and modernity.
4.1. Contemporary representations of 19th century British culture.
4.2. The Victorian legacy.
Bibliography
- Boyd, K. & McWilliam, R. (Eds.) (2007). The Victorian Studies Reader. London and New York: Routledge.
- Harvie, C. & Matthew, H. C. G. [2000] (2005). Nineteenth-Century Britain: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- OGorman, F. (Ed.) (2010). The Cambridge Companion to Victorian Culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Ramos, I. F. (2014). Matrizes Culturais: Notas para um Estudo da Era Vitoriana. Lisboa: Edições Colibri.
- Wilson, A. N. (2003). The Victorians. London: Arrow Books.
Teaching method
Presentation of the topics of the course syllabus by the lecturer; interactive methodology, based on audiovisual resources and support texts, and contributions by the students based on the reading of primary sources and contemporary analyses for oral presentation and/or group discussion; tutorial supervision of the critical readings and the thematic and bibliographical research tasks; to do a test in the form of a short essay on the course syllabus.
Evaluation method
Evaluation: short critical readings and/or thematic and bibliographical research tasks for oral presentation in class (40%); a written test / critical essay (60%).