In this module we investigate programmes and practices of aesthetic opposition to 'alienated' forms of capitalist cultural and economic production in Victorian Britain. We will examine theoretical concepts of cultural renewal through art and literature from Turner, Ruskin and Pater to Morris and Wilde, and sample different forms of 'alternative' aesthetic practice connected with these theories: the paintings and poetry of the Pre-Raphaelites, the works of William Morris's Arts and Crafts Movement, the fiction writings of Morris and Wilde, Beardsley's illustrations of Wilde's texts.

A Coursework Essay, 3000 words [Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4] (80%)
A Group Presentation [Learning Outcome 5] (20%)

Teaching will be through lectures, workshops and seminars. You will work independently (on research, preparation of lectures, seminars and seminar presentations) and in pairs or small groups (on seminar assignments and presentations).

Library
Word-processing facilities

John Ruskin The Stones of Venice, London (Pallas Athene) 1991.
Walter Pater The Renaissance, Oxford (Oxford University Press World's Classics) 1998.
The New Oxford Book of Victorian Verse, Oxford (Oxford University Press) 2002.
William Morris News from Nowhere and Other Writings, London (Penguin) 1998.
Oscar Wilde The Soul of Man under Socialism and Selected Critical Prose, London (Penguin) 2001.
Oscar Wilde Complete Shorter Fiction, Oxford (Oxford University Press) 1979.

Elizabeth Helsinger Poetry and the Pre-Raphaelite Arts, New Haven (Yale University Press) 2008
The Pre-Raphaelites, London (Tate Gallery/Penguin) 1984
Tim Barringer The Pre-Raphaelites, London (Everyman) 1998
The Cambridge Companion to Oscar Wilde (Cambridge University Press) 1997

1. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF THEMES AND FORMS OF AESTHETIC OPPOSITION IN THE VICTORIAN PERIOD AND SHOW AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS MOVEMENT FOR DEVELOPMENTS IN VICTORIAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Knowledge & Understanding

2. READ REPRESENTATIONS OF AESTHETIC OPPOSITION IN THE VICTORIAN PERIOD AS A MANIFESTATION OF LATE MODERN CULTURE IN CRISIS
Learning

3. EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL OF THE PROGRAMMES OF AESTHETIC OPPOSITION TO BRING ABOUT CULTURAL RENEWAL AND ASSESS THE AESTHETIC VALUE OF ALTERNATIVE PRACTICE OF THE PERIOD IN THE PAINTING, WRITING AND ARTS AND CRAFTS STUDIED
Analysis

4. CARRY OUT INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND APPLY TECHNIQUES AND METHODS OF LITERARY ANALYSIS AND CRITICISM IN YOUR OWN ACADEMIC WRITING
Application

5. DEMONSTRATE ASSURANCE IN PRESENTING COMPLEX IDEAS IN A SMALL GROUP FORMAT Communication