Course Description

This course invites students on a chronological journey through English literature, from its earliest roots to the modern era. Designed for beginners, it will use accessible texts and engaging activities to build a foundational understanding of key periods, authors, and literary developments in Britain. Each week will feature a new literary period/author, focusing on one or two key texts and their film adaptations. We'll have interactive lectures, group discussions, and film clips to bring the stories to life.

Classes 

Welcome to the World of Stories!

• Introduction to the course and its aims.

• What is British literature? 

• Activity:  Sharing favourite stories and discussing their film adaptations.

Epic Heroes and Monsters (Old English)

• Introduction to Old English literature.

• Beowulf: Exploring heroism, bravery, and battles with monsters.

• Film:  Beowulf (2007) - Animated action film capturing the epic scale of the poem.

• Activity:  Designing a modern-day monster.

Knights and Chivalry (Middle English)

• Introduction to Middle English literature.

• The Canterbury Tales:  Humorous and insightful stories from medieval England.

• Film:  A Knight's Tale (2001) - A modern take on chivalry with a medieval setting.

• Activity:  Creating a coat of arms and motto for a fictional knight.

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Love and Tragedy with Shakespeare (Renaissance)

• Introduction to William Shakespeare: The Bard of Avon.

• Romeo and Juliet: Exploring themes of love, fate, and family conflict.

• Film:  Romeo + Juliet (1996) - Baz Luhrmann's visually stunning modern adaptation.

• Activity:  Rewriting a scene from Romeo and Juliet in modern English.

Lost on a Desert Island (18th Century)

• Daniel Defoe: Robinson Crusoe: Themes of survival, resilience, and the human spirit.

• Film:  Robinson Crusoe (1997) -  Adventure film capturing the challenges of island life.

• Activity:  Imagining being stranded on a desert island and writing a survival plan.

Satire and Social Commentary (18th Century)

• Jonathan Swift: Gulliver's Travels:  Exploring satire, social criticism, and fantastical voyages.

• Film:  Gulliver's Travels (2010) -  A comedic adaptation with modern twists.

• Activity:  Creating a satirical cartoon about a current social issue.

Nature and Emotion with the Romantics (19th Century)

• Introduction to Romantic poetry:  Exploring nature, emotion, and the individual.

• William Wordsworth:  Nature poems and their evocative imagery.

• Film:  Bright Star (2009) -  A biographical film about the Romantic poet John Keats.

• Activity:  Writing a short poem inspired by nature or a personal experience.

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Victorian Secrets and Social Issues (19th Century)

• Charles Dickens: Oliver Twist:  Poverty, social injustice, and the lives of orphans in Victorian London.

• Film:  Oliver Twist (2005) -  A visually striking adaptation capturing the grim realities of the time.

• Activity:  Debating social issues presented in the story and their relevance today.

Gothic Romance and Passion (19th Century)

• The Brontë sisters:  Jane Eyre:  Love, mystery, and overcoming adversity.

• Film:  Jane Eyre (2011) -  A visually atmospheric adaptation capturing the gothic mood.

• Activity:  Creating a character map or writing a diary entry from Jane's perspective.

Elementary, My Dear Watson! (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)

• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:  Short stories featuring Sherlock Holmes:  The art of deduction and solving mysteries.

• Film:  Sherlock Holmes (2009) -  Action-packed adaptation with Robert Downey Jr.

• Activity:  Solving a simple mystery puzzle or writing a short detective story.

War and its Aftermath (20th Century)

• Poems by Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon:  Exploring the impact of war on soldiers and society.

• Film:  War Horse (2011) -  A moving story about a horse's journey through World War I.

• Activity:  Discussing the impact of war on individuals and society.

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Modernist Perspectives (20th Century)

• Virginia Woolf: Mrs Dalloway:  Stream of consciousness, inner lives, and post-war London.

• Film:  The Hours (2002) -  Interweaving stories inspired by Mrs Dalloway.

• Activity:  Writing a short internal monologue capturing a character's thoughts and feelings.

Dystopian Futures (20th Century)

• George Orwell:  Nineteen Eighty-Four:  Exploring themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and rebellion.

• Film:  Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) -  A chilling adaptation capturing the oppressive atmosphere of the novel.

• Activity:  Debating the dangers of government control and censorship.

Contemporary Voices (21st Century)

• Brief overview of contemporary British authors and genres.

• Exploring diverse voices and perspectives in modern literature.

• Film:  A recent film adaptation of a contemporary British novel (e.g., Atonement, The Remains of the Day).

• Activity:  Sharing recommendations for contemporary books and films.

[ON-DEMAND CLASS] Wrap-up

• Reviewing key periods, authors, and films.

• Sharing creative projects and learning achievements.

• Looking ahead:  Encouraging continued exploration of English literature.