John Milton 3301-LB2040
The course is designed to provide a comprehensive account of the literary work of John Milton against the broad cultural, social and political context of seventeenth-century England. The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the most significant of Milton's works, from the early lyric poetry (Nativity Ode, Lycidas), through the poet's political pamphlets (The Reason of Church Government, Of Education, Areopagitica), dramatic works like the masque Comus and the verse drama like Samson Agonistes, to the grand epic poetry of Milton's final years.
The overall design is to provide an accurate picture of Milton's ideological background and his professional literary skills, and also to trace the interrelations between his poetic output and social and political work.
Special attention will be devoted to the epic poem Paradise Lost, which will be analysed in detail with particular focus on issues such as:
- the poem's place in English and European tradition of epic poetry,
- the theological dimension of the work in the context of the intricacy of the seventeenth century English religious life,
- the political context of the poem and the way it reflects the ideological controversies of the day and the heritage of the Civil War and the years of the Puritan government.
A parallel aim of the course is to provide a twenty-first century perspective on John Milton by situating the poet and his work in the context of the later literary epochs ,as well as in the contemporary cultural environment.
Credit for the course will be awarded on the basis of an oral examination based on the actual content of the particular course.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
Students will be able to:
K_W01- Identify and characterize on an advanced level the place
and status of literary studies, especially Milton's work, within the humanities
K_W02- Describe on an advanced level the current trends in
literary studies research on the history of the here of epic within English studies
K_W04- Characterize on an advanced level the principles of
research design in literary studies with special focus on the
application of methods and tools in formulating research problems
K_W05- Identify the notions and principles pertinent to
intellectual property and copyright
Abilities
Students will be able to:
K_U01- Apply advanced terminology and notions pertinent to the
discipline ( literary studies)
K_U02-Apply advanced research methodology within literary
and English studies, respecting ethical norms and copyright law
K_U03-Apply knowledge obtained during the course of studies to
account for and solve a problem, thereby completing a research
task related to the discipline literary studies
K_U04- Analyze literary phenomena and draw generalizations
on their basis in the context of societal, historical and economic
factors on an advanced level
K_U05- Discern alternative methodological paradigms within a
discipline
K_U06- Find information in various sources and critically assess
its usefulness for research related to the topic of the MA project
Social competences
Students will be ready to:
K_K02- Apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course of
studies to undertake lifelong learning, as well as personal and
professional development
K_K03- Take responsibility for performing one’s professional
duties, with due respect for the work of others, obey and develop
the ethical norms in professional and academic settings related to
the disciplines included on the curriculum of English studies
K_K04- Assess critically one’s own knowledge and skills related
to the studies
K_K06- Value cultural heritage and cultural diversity as well as
individual opinions
Education at language level B2+.
Assessment criteria
0ral exam
Bibliography
Milton, John (2007) Paradise Lost, edited by Alastair Fowler, second revised edition, Harlow,
Cook, Patrick J. (1999) Milton, Spenser and the epic Tradition, Aldershot.
Demaray, John G. (1980). Milton's Theatrical Epic. The Invention and Design of Paradise Lost. London.
Henry, N. (1987). The True Wayfaring Christian. Studies in Milton's Puritanism. New York.
Hiller, Russell M. (2011) Milton's Messiah, Oxford.
Hunter, G.K. (1980). Paradise Lost. London.
Hunter, W.B. / Patrides, C. A. / Adamson, J.H. (1971). Bright Essence. Salt Lake City.
Kaufman, V. Milo (1978). Paradise in the Age of Milton. Victoria.
Kurth, B.O. (1959). Milton and Christian Heroism. Berkeley.
Lewis, Clive Staples. (1960), Preface to Paradise Lost. London.
Loewenstein, David. (1993). Milton: Paradise Lost. Cambridge.
Martin, John Rupert. (1977). Baroque. London.
Nicolson, Marjorie Hope. (1964). John Milton. A Reader's Guide to His Poetry. London.
Patrides, C. A.(1966). Milton and the Christian Tradition. Oxford.
Stewart, Stanley (1973). The Enclosed Garden. The Myth of the Fall of Man in English Literature. Pittsburgh.
Revard, S. P. (1980). The War in Heaven. Ithaca and London.
Steadman, J. M. (1939). Milton and the Paradoxes of Renaissance Heroism. London.
Steadman, J. M. (1968). Milton's Epic Characters. Image and Idol. Chapel Hill.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: