This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module introduces students to the variety of sources which are available for exploring early modern life writing. In a period described as 'early modern' partly because of its perceived development away from medieval notions of identity and towards a properly modern subjectivity, this module offers students an opportunity to explore a theoretical concept through its manifestations in literary and material form. Studying better- against less well-known texts (e.g. Hamlet, Anne Clifford’s Diary; early modern wills), and ‘literary’ works alongside more pragmatic writings, the module will consider such questions as the nature of writing; the status of individuality; the forms which identity might take; and the intended audience for such works in this period. Exploring the nature of early modern private lives, it will examine their key influences, such as literacy, gender and spiritual identity.
10 x weekly two-hour seminars and 10 weekly 1-hour workshops
This module can be taken by standard coursework route or by dissertation. NB: students can only take ONE MODULE by dissertation in stage 3.
Module by standard coursework:
100% Coursework:
1) shorter exercise of 2000 words, producing an imitation early modern biography (30%)
2) extended essay 4,000 words (60%)
3) seminar performance (10%),
Module by dissertation:
Assessment will be in the form of:
1) a 500-word dissertation proposal (formative assessment and non-marked)
2) a dissertation of 6000 words (90%)
3) seminar performance mark in accordance with the criteria published in the School of English Undergraduate Handbook (10%)
HINDS et al eds. - 'Her Own Life', (Routledge, 1989)
Stephen GREENBLATT et al eds. - 'The Norton Shakespeare', (1997)
SHARPE, ZWICKER eds. - 'Writing Lives: biography and textuality, identity and representation in early modern England', (OUP, 2008)
DOWD ed. - 'Genre and Women's Life Writing in Early Modern England', (Ashgate, 2007)
Stephen GREENBLATT - 'Renaissance SelfFashioning: From More to Shakespeare', (University of Chicago Press, 1980)
STALLYBRASS et al eds. - 'Subject and Object in Renaissance Culture', (CUP, 1996)
HANNAY et al eds. - 'Domestic Politics and Family Absence: The Correspondence (1588-1621) of Robert Sidney, First Earl of Leicester, and Barbara Gamage Sidney, Countes of Leicester', (Ashgate)
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successful completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate the following subject specific learning outcomes:
• Read and respond to a variety of genres of early modern life writing.
• Explore the relationship between writing and identity in the early modern period.
• Read the set texts in relation to their relevant literary, theatrical, political, cultural and social contexts.
• Apply and interrogate critical and theoretical strategies appropriate to the study of early modern texts.
On successful completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate the following generic learning outcomes:
• Be able to respond to and initiate group discussion of issues raised, based on precise reference to text and context;
• Analyse texts critically and make comparisons across a range of reading;
• Show a good command of written English, and be able to develop coherent written arguments responding to the texts, contexts and critical issues addressed by the module.
In addition, students taking the module by dissertation will be able to:
• marshal complex knowledge and present it clearly and logically in the substantive form of a dissertation
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