ENGL2611: John Milton (1608-74)

• At least one of the following modules: Introduction to Drama (ENGL 1011), Introduction to the Novel (ENGL 1061), Introduction to Poetry (ENGL 1071).

• None.

• None.

• To introduce students to a broad range of writings by John Milton.
• To enable students to analyse in detail a selection of works from different periods of Miltons oeuvre and in different genres.
• To encourage students to read closely and to gain relevant contextual knowledge.
• To foster a critical awareness of diverse critical approaches to Miltons work from the seventeenth century to the present.
• This Special Topic is designed build upon the material covered in the first year module: Introduction to Poetry.

• This module will give students the opportunity to look in detail at:
• Milton's early poetical works (e.g. At a Vacation Exercise) as well as the major works of his artistic maturity (e.g. Paradise Lost).
• A selection of prose writings, including the Areopagitica.
• Milton and the classical tradition (e.g. Miltons use of classical genres, allusion and mythology).
• Topics to be discussed in seminars will include Miltons representation of the role of the poet and poetry, sexual politics, religious, political and educational issues.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• The student will be expected:
• To gain knowledge of a diverse body of work by Milton
• To demonstrate knowledge of a range of texts by a single author and critical approaches to his works
• To show an understanding of the cultural and intellectual contexts of his work
• To engage with the various critical approaches to his writing.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Students studying this module will develop:
• Critical skills in the close reading and analysis of texts
• An ability to analyse texts closely with an awareness of generic conventions
• An informed awareness of formal and aesthetic dimensions of literature and an ability to offer cogent analysis of their workings in specific texts by Milton
• A sensitivity to generic conventions and to the shaping effects on communication of historical circumstances, and to the affective power of language
• An ability to articulate and substantiate an imaginative response to Miltons works
• An ability to articulate knowledge and understanding of concepts and theories relating to this author
• An awareness of conventions of scholarly presentation, and bibliographic skills, including accurate citation of sources and consistent use of scholarly conventions of presentation
• A command of a broad range of vocabulary and an appropriate critical terminology
• An awareness of literature as a medium through which values are affirmed and debated.

Key Skills:

• Students studying this module will develop:
• A capacity to analyse critically
• An ability to acquire complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way involving the use of distinctive interpretative skills derived from the subject
• A competence in the planning and execution of essays
• A capacity for independent thought and judgement, and ability to assess the critical ideas of others
• Skills in critical reasoning
• An ability to handle information and argument in a critical manner
• Information-technology skills such as word-processing and electronic data access information
• Organisation and time-management skills.

• Seminars: encourage peer-group discussion, enable students to develop critical skills in the close reading and analysis of texts, and skills of effective communication and presentation; promote awareness of diversity of interpretation and methodology
• Consultation session: encourages students to reflect critically and independently on their work; in this session students are entitled to show their seminar leader a list of points relevant to the essay and receive oral comment on these points. Student may also, if they wish, discuss their ideas for the second essay at this meeting.
• Independent but directed reading in preparation for seminars provides opportunity for students to enrich subject-specific knowledge and enhances their ability to develop appropriate subject-specific skills.
• Typically, directed learning may include assigning student(s) an issue, theme or topic that can be independently or collectively explored within a framework and/or with additional materials provided by the tutor. This may function as preparatory work for presenting their ideas or findings (sometimes electronically) to their peers and tutor in the context of a seminar.
• Essays: tests the student's ability to argue, respond and interpret, and to demonstrate subject-specific knowledge and skills such as appreciation of the power of imagination in literary creation and the close reading and analysis of texts; they also test the ability to present word-processed work, observing scholarly conventions. In individual Special Topics, the essay may, where appropriate to the subject, take an alternative form, such as 'creative criticism'.
• Feedback: The written feedback that is provided after the first assessed essay allows students to reflect on examiners' comments, giving students the opportunity to improve their work for the second essay.

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