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. We discuss "What is literature?" and share favourite stories. Film: Clips from adaptations like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings.

Epic Heroes and Monsters (Old English)

Introduction to Old English. We examine Beowulf, exploring heroism, bravery, and battles. Activity: Designing a modern-day monster and writing a short story.

Knights and Chivalry (Middle English)

The Canterbury Tales. We look at humorous stories from medieval England and the concept of chivalry. Film: A Knight's Tale (2001). Activity: Creating a coat of arms.

Love and Tragedy with Shakespeare (Renaissance)

William Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet. Exploring themes of love, fate, and family conflict. Film: Romeo + Juliet (1996). Activity: Rewriting a scene in modern English.

Lost on a Desert Island (18th Century)

Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Themes of survival, resilience, and the human spirit. Film: Robinson Crusoe (1997). Activity: Writing a desert island survival plan.

Satire and Social Commentary (18th Century)

Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. Exploring satire and fantastical voyages. Film: Gulliver's Travels (2010). Activity: Creating a satirical cartoon about a current social issue.

Nature and Emotion with the Romantics (19th Century)

Introduction to Romantic poetry (William Wordsworth) and the focus on nature and emotion. Film: Bright Star (2009). Activity: Writing a short poem inspired by nature.

Victorian Secrets and Social Issues (19th Century)

Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. Poverty, social injustice, and the lives of orphans. Film: Oliver Twist (2005). Activity: Debating social issues presented in the story and their relevance today.

Gothic Romance and Passion (19th Century)

The Brontë sisters and Jane Eyre. Love, mystery, and overcoming adversity. Film: Jane Eyre (2011). Activity: Writing a diary entry from Jane's perspective.

Mystery Novels (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. The art of deduction and mystery. Film: Sherlock Holmes (2009). Activity: Solving a simple mystery puzzle.

War and its Aftermath (20th Century)

War poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. The impact of WWI on society. Film: War Horse (2011). Activity: Discussing the impact of war on individuals.

Modernist Perspectives (20th Century)

Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway. Stream of consciousness and post-war London. Film: The Hours (2002). Activity: Writing a short internal monologue.

Dystopian Futures (20th Century)

George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. Totalitarianism, surveillance, and rebellion. Film: 1984. Activity: Debating the dangers of government control and censorship.

Contemporary Voices (21st Century)

Overview of contemporary British authors. Exploring diverse voices in modern literature. Activity: Sharing recommendations for contemporary books and films.

Wrap-up

Reviewing key periods, authors, and films. Students will share creative projects and learning achievements. Feedback on the overall course performance and final comments will be provided.