Queens, Devils and Players in Early Modern England

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• understanding of some of the main political, religious and cultural debates of the time
• knowledge of a range of early modern writers and their texts
• knowledge of the ways in which certain writers engaged with these debates in their work
• understanding of the historical context in which these texts were written

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• research and write effectively about a particular topic
• analyse complex texts and arguments

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• recognize a range of different types of early modern texts
• understand differences between various genres and modes
• evaluate, analyse and write effectively about different types of text
• make connections between texts, and between texts and contexts
• demonstrate an understanding of the culture that produced these different works and the impact of culture on literary production

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• investigate, research and structure arguments around the particular themes and concerns of a past society and culture

The module is organised thematically. Each week will investigate a different topic through detailed analysis of one or two texts, and with close reference to relevant historical and literary contexts. Themes are likely to include: Monarchy and Power; London and the Theatres; Religion and Sin; Law and Justice; Magic and Witchcraft; Travel and Discovery; Gender, Sexuality and Taboos.

Texts may include:

• Richard Mulcaster, The Queen’s Majesty’s Passage
• Philip Sidney, Astrophil and Stella
• Christopher Marlowe, Hero and Leander
• William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure
• Ben Jonson, Bartholomew Fair and The Masque of Queens
• Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's Holiday
• Thomas Dekker, John Ford and William Rowley, The Witch of Edmonton
• Thomas Middleton and William Rowley, The Changeling
• John Ford, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore
• Thomas Hariot, A Brief and True Report of the New-found Land of Virginia

Teaching and learning methods

• 2-hour weekly lectures
• 2-hour weekly seminars
• individual essay consultation and feedback sessions with the tutor
• individual seminar presentations
• individual study and research
• accessing relevant online resources

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

ed. Stephen Greenblatt et al (2018). The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume B (The Sixteenth and Early Seventeenth Century). New York and London: W. W. Norton & Company.

Assessment strategy

1 x 3000-word essay (summative)

1 x 3000-word course journal (formative)

The summative assessment of one 3000-word essay is designed to test analytical and critical skills, writing skills, relevant understanding of context and of the relationship between texts and contexts, and independent research skills. The formative assessment which takes the form of a course journal is designed to develop reflective skills, writing and analytical skills and research skills, especially the planning, preparation and drafting of a substantial research essay.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External