Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas

British Cultural Identities - 2nd semester

Code

722121052

Academic unit

Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas

Department

Línguas, Culturas e Literaturas Modernas, Secção de Estudos Ingleses e Norte-Americanos

Credits

10

Teacher in charge

Miguel Alarcão

Weekly hours

3 letivas + 1 tutorial

Teaching language

English

Objectives

a) To study medievalism in 18th and 19th century British thought and activity, focusing on:

1. the perception and representation of medieval culture as a rich and wide repository of models, values, codes, signs, meanings, images, symbols and myths;
2. the contribution provided to a better understanding of the English Middle Ages and its culture.

b) To assess the quality and amount of work produced.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Subject matter

Introduction.

I – The literary scene (theory and practice; creation and criticism);

II - The visual scene (theory and practice; creation and criticism):

II.1. (Landscape) architecture and religion;

II.2. Painting and “the lesser arts”.

III - Social and political thought;

IV - Historical, juridical and constitutional thought;

Conclusions.

Bibliography

ALEXANDER, Michael, Medievalism: The Middle Ages in Modern England. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2007.

FARIA, Luísa Leal de, Sociedade e Cultura Inglesas. Lisboa: Universidade Aberta, nº 98, 1996.

SIMONS, John (ed.), From Medieval to Medievalism. Basingstoke and London: The Macmillan Press Ltd., 1992.

PLUMB, J. H., England in the Eighteenth Century. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd., “The Pelican History of England”, nº 7, 1983 (1950).

THOMSON, David, England in the Nineteenth Century. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd., “The Pelican History of England”, nº 8, 1978 (1950).

Teaching method

With the exception of the first session, this course will take a highly interactive shape through the regular presentation and discussion of research by the students themselves. At the end of each session, a short period (10-15 mins.) will be set aside for questions, comments and debate. The lecturer will guide students through their researches by suggesting and providing additional references for further reading.
In class teaching

Evaluation method

Oral and individual presentations on any relevant theme/topic listed in the course or suggested by the students (50%).
A short essay (c.12 pages) presented at the end of the term (50%).

Courses