Module Catalogue 2024/25

SEL3373 : Women of Virtue and Women of Pleasure: Sensibility in the Age of Reason (Inactive)

SEL3373 : Women of Virtue and Women of Pleasure: Sensibility in the Age of Reason (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Laura Kirkley
  • Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aim of this module is to analyse how literary constructions of women of virtue and women of pleasure developed in the course of the long eighteenth century. Students will develop knowledge of a range of canonical and non-canonical texts, including English translations of important French texts from the period. We will focus particularly on the transnational rise of the literature and culture of Sensibility, examining how sentimental discourses were invoked to depict women both as arbiters of moral virtue and creatures of excessive sensuality.

Students will gain a thorough knowledge of the historical and cultural contexts in which literary texts were written, combining this knowledge with some gender and feminist theory to examine cultural shifts in attitudes to female desire and definitions of female virtue. We will connect these historical and cultural changes with formal and generic developments in the literature of the period, particularly the rise of the novel. The module enable students to analyse early feminist efforts to politicise the discourse of Sensibility and to comment on the construction of feminine identities at the intersection of discourses of gender, race, and class.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus comprises a range of genres, including poetry, novels, and conduct literature. Due to the transnational focus of the module, some of the texts are English translations of eighteenth-century French texts.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

To complete the module successfully, students will be required to demonstrate:

1) an understanding of the changing historical and cultural contexts in which the module texts were written and read;
2) detailed knowledge of the content and formal aspects of the set texts;
3) an understanding of the development of attitudes to female virtue and female desire/pleasure in the long eighteenth century and the impact of those attitudes on the literature of the period;
4) an ability to evaluate contemporary and current critical positions on the set texts, including some feminist theory.

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

1) offer historically and theoretically informed insights into specific texts both orally and in writing;
2) assimilate and evaluate information from a number of different literary, critical and contextual sources;
3) bring a thorough understanding of the generic and formal aspects of the set texts to analysing module themes;
4) produce with others, in small groups, notes and oral presentations;
5) tailor the content and style of their writing to a non-academic audience;
6) use the web-based format of a blog to communicate effectively with their target audience.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion218:0036:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture131:0013:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading118:0088:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching31:003:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching82:0016:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningStructured research and reading activities121:0012:00Seminar preparation, including posting to the discussion board.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery12:002:00Drop-in session
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study130:0030:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lecture materials introduce students to knowledge outcomes relevant to the module. They address themes common to the authors studied and encourage the students to think comparatively.

Seminars develop this knowledge and enable the practice of skills, namely close textual analysis and interpersonal communications. The independent study hour gives students the chance to develop their research skills and prepare for the seminars in terms that give them genuine ownership over the material. In addition, students will be required to participate in a Canvas discussion board.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise1M25850-word collaborative blog post
Written exercise1A753,000-word collaborative blog
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise1M500-word blog post plan.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

In the formative assessment, students will be required to plan a blog post that meets the assessment criteria for the mid-module assessment. It will prepare students for both their summative assessments by giving them the opportunity to engage with constructive feedback on: their analysis of at least one module text; the content, style and accessibility of their blog post; their plans to make use of the web-based format.

For the mid-module summative assessment, students will work in groups to write a collaborative blog post that demonstrates the continuing relevance and importance of at least one module text. This 'low stakes' summative assessment will enable students to develop the skills they need to succeed in the 'higher stakes' final assessment.

In the final assessment, students will work in groups to produce a blog with multiple posts which demonstrate the continuing relevance and importance of at least two module texts in relation to a key module theme. Each student will be responsible for writing one post, but the thematic focus and structure of the blog will be designed collaboratively.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

This is where you will be able to find all key information about modules on your programme of study. It will help you make an informed decision on the options available to you within your programme.

You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.

Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.