18TH CENTURY STUDIES

The general aims of the module, with regard to the course of studies to which it belongs are:
1) to increase the knowledge and comprehension of English literature at higher (M.A.) level, through the study of its development in the eighteenth century;
2) to acquire a better command of theoretical approaches, hermeneutical tools for textual analysis and close reading; along with acquiring the competence to contextualise them in the historical and literary background;
3) to be able to comprehend English culture (specifically in the eighteenth century) through a better understanding of its relevant texts and documents. Students will learn the history of English literature both from a cultural and an aesthetic viewpoint, as well as in its relation with the political and social history of England and Great Britain. They will apply their hermeneutic abilities to the comprehension of complex literary texts, their relation with the cultural and socio-political background, their rhetorical strategies and aesthetic qualities. They will be able to produce a discussion of complex texts and connect them to the historical framework to which they belong.

The module will be taught entirely in English.

The module will provide the critical tools to be able, among other things,
1) to provide a detailed analysis of literary texts, and related texts;
2) to enter a dialogue with the critical state of art on texts and themes, and debate one's positions in public;
3) to work within various intercultural contexts;
4) to provide critical commentaries, and short essays in English, using the critical-hermeneutical knowledge acquired in the module, also through a personal reading of texts;
5) to conduct an autonomous bibliographic search in English.

In the Joint Degree / Double Degree course the acquired competence with be implemented in an interaction with the students, and in the contexts, of the universities participating in the consortium.

Good general knowledge of the cultural and literary history of English literature.
Students are expected to acquire a general knowledge of history and cultural history in the long eighteenth century, and read the novels in the programme ahead of classes.

A very good command of the English language (C1) will be needed in order to understand, and comment on, the texts.
All lessons will be delivered in English.

"Happiness and unhappiness in eighteenth-century sentimental fiction"
The course will conduct an interdisciplinary analysis of the treatment of happiness and unhappiness in the eighteenth century. The pursuit of happiness was a fundamental concern and theme in eighteenth-century thought. It transcended its previous status as a solely theological or philosophical inquiry subject. It became a central aspect of practical life for individuals across all social strata in the eighteenth century. Notably, happiness was enshrined as one of the core principles in the American Declaration of Independence, a seminal document in modern national governance, affirming that "all men are created equal, that their Creator endows them with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness".
Additionally, writers of the time grappled with the pursuit of happiness among the populace, with their literary works increasingly showcasing characters' abilities or inabilities to attain earthly happiness. The course will delve into how writers addressed these themes by examining three novels that focus on "sentimental characters", wherein the portrayal of emotions and feelings takes centre stage. The analysis will cover a male sentimental character from a female perspective (in Sarah Fielding's "David Simple"), a prototypical man of feeling seen from a male perspective (in Henry Mackenzie's "The Man of Feeling"), as well as an object of humour and irony (in Laurence Sterne's "A Sentimental Journey"). Finally, the course will explore Jane Austen's treatment of the theme of dejection and worldly happiness within the context of interpersonal relationships in her final published novel, "Persuasion".

Section A. Primary literature (the texts will be discussed in class)
All students are asked to read the following novels entire:
1. Sarah Fielding, "David Simple" (ed. P. Sabor) University of Kentucky Press, see https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/232563875.pdf
2. Laurence Sterne, "A Sentimental Journey to France and Italy" (ed. by Melvyn New and W.G. Day, Hackett Classics)
3. Henry Mackenzie, "The Man of Feeling" (ed. by Maureen Harkin, Broadview Press)
4. Jane Austen, "Persuasion" (ed. by James Kinsley, Oxford Classics)



Section B. A general knowledge of the cultural history of the eighteenth century is required to understand the module's contents.
These are the background readings on the cultural context of the eighteenth century and of happiness (which students are requested to read on their own):
1. R. Porter, "Enlightenment: Britain and the Creation of the Modern World" (Penguin, 2000), chapter 11 ("Happiness"), pp. 258-75; BALI library EX4 POR.R/En
2. P. Goring, "Eighteenth-Century Literature and Culture" (Continuum, 2008), BALI library EX4 Gor/Eig
(or another introductory text to eighteenth-century culture instead of B3, which can be agreed upon with the teacher)

A general knowledge of the cultural history of the eighteenth century is required to understand the module's contents.

Written exam.
The test will be made of questions with open answers and will be divided into three parts:
A. Two or three questions on the history of eighteenthth-century literature and culture, general aspects of the course taught in the module, general background as in the critical books (see "Texts" section, Section B ) (each with 6 to 10 line long answers) (Aim 1)* (up to 10/30)
B. A short essay (one sheet long answer) based on one of the literary texts discussed in class; see "Texts", section A (Aim 2) (up to 10/30)
C. Two questions (each with 10 line long answers) on the topics, contents, style, of the "Texts", section A (Aim 3) (up to 10/30)

Students will be allowed to use a monolingual English dictionary only. The use of smartphones, tablets and other devices is not allowed during the exam.
Time allowed: 2 hours


* Aims: see "Inquadramento dell'insegnamento" above.

Front lectures

Students are kindly requested to read the novels in the programme ahead of the lectures. The teacher will discuss them in class with the students.

All lessons will be taught in English

English

"701 students" can access lesson recordings and materials on the module's Moodle platform for one month from the lesson date. If they can, they are kindly requested to contact the teacher as early as possible.

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development