The English Novel
- Arts
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 159 pages
- 20 units
This course explores the development of the English Novel from its origins to the present day. It provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the themes, styles, and socio-political influences that have shaped the works of major English novelists. Students will analyze selected novels, examining their historical context and cultural significance. The course aims to enhance students' critical thinking and analytical skills through close reading and interpretation of literary texts.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 26 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENG381, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENG381 · UNIT 1 DEFINITION OF THE ENGLISH NOVEL
3.0 MAIN CONTENT In this unit, we will start our definition of the novel by first of all defining those characteristics that make it unique; thereafter, we will link them to the definition of the novel as a genre of literature.
What you should be able to do
- Define the concept of the English Novel.
- Explain the themes and styles of selected novels.
- Discuss the background of the major English novelists.
- Distinguish between the earliest English novels and the modern ones.
- Examine the socio-political influences on the novelists and their works.
- List the major English novelists.
What it prepares you for
- Literary Critic
- Editor
- Content Writer
- Journalist
- Teacher
- Publishing
- Education
- Journalism
- Media
- Content Creation
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: The First English Novels
Unit 3: John Bunyan – Pilgrim's Progress (1678)
The unit requires understanding of allegorical works and their historical context, which may be challenging for students unfamiliar with this literary style.
- Module 2: The First English Novels
Unit 4: Jonathan Swift – Gulliver's Travels (1705)
The unit requires understanding of satire and its historical context, which may be challenging for students unfamiliar with this literary style.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: The English Novel
Unit 1: Definition of the English Novel · 2 hours
Read the unit introduction to understand the scope of the English novel.. Define prose, fiction, and the novel.. Explain the relationship between the novel and narrative.. Differentiate between prose and narrative.. Define the novel as a genre of literature..
- Week 2Module 1: The English Novel
Unit 2: Origin of the English Novel · 2 hours
Trace the origin of the English novel.. List some of the earliest fictional works that preceded the novel.. Differentiate between the novel and other fictional works.. Determine the generally accepted early novel..
- Week 3Module 1: The English Novel
Unit 3: The Rise of the English Novel · 2 hours
Trace the development of the English novel.. List the factors that contributed to the rise of the English novel.. Discuss the contributions of each factor, including romance, literacy, and the printing press..
- Week 4Module 1: The English Novel
Unit 4: Major English Novelists · 2 hours
Identify some of the earliest English novelists.. List some of the earliest English novels.. Discuss their contribution to the development of the English novel.. Discuss the various themes and styles of the earliest English novels..
- Week 5Module 2: The First English Novels
Unit 1: Legitimacy of the Novel · 2 hours
Identify some first English fiction writers.. List some of their works.. Explain why scholars do not regard these works as novels.. Review the criteria that determine what the novel should be..
- Week 6Module 2: The First English Novels
Unit 2: Realism and the Novel · 2 hours
Define the novel Realism.. Explain Realism.. Discuss Realism in a novel.. Identify elements of realism in a novel..
- Week 7Module 2: The First English Novels
Unit 3: John Bunyan – Pilgrim's Progress (1678) · 2 hours
Narrate the story of Pilgrim's Progress.. List and analyse its major characters.. Discuss the thematic preoccupation of the work.. Explain why it is not classified as a novel..
- Week 8Module 2: The First English Novels
Unit 4: Jonathan Swift – Gulliver's Travels (1705) · 2 hours
Outline the plot of the work.. List some of the characters.. Discuss the theme and setting of the novel.. Relate the story to contemporary experience.. Explain why the text is not considered as a novel..
- Week 9Module 3: The 18th Century English Novels
Unit 1: Background and Influences · 2 hours
Discuss the background of 18th Century England.. Contextualise the influence of the Age on the development of the English Novel..
- Week 10Module 3: The 18th Century English Novels
Unit 2: Daniel Defoe – Robinson Crusoe (1719) · 2 hours
Discuss Daniel Defoe as an 18th Century novelist.. Analyse Robinson Crusoe as the first English Novel.. Examine the plot, themes and characterisation in Robinson Crusoe..
- Week 11Module 3: The 18th Century English Novels
Unit 3: Samuel Richardson – Pamela (1740) · 2 hours
Discuss the epistolary novels.. Mention Samuel Richardson's contribution to the development of the English Novel.. Discuss the plot of Pamela.. Examine the themes of the novel Pamela..
- Week 12Module 3: The 18th Century English Novels
Unit 4: Henry Fielding – Tom Jones (1749) · 2 hours
Emphasise the contribution of Henry Fielding to the development of the English novel.. List the major characters in the novel.. Discuss the theme of the novel.. Present the plot of the novel.. Mention at least two latter novelists influenced by Fielding..
- Week 13Module 4: Victorian Novels
Unit 1: Background and Influences · 2 hours
Discuss the Victorian Age.. Relate the historical events to the development of the English novel.. Highlight the influence of the Age on some novelists.. Mention some novelists of the period..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of major English novelists and their key works, noting their historical context.
- Develop summaries of each selected novel, focusing on plot, themes, and character analysis.
- Practice essay questions that require comparing and contrasting different novelists or literary periods.
- Review tutor-marked assignments and feedback to identify areas for improvement.
- Focus on understanding the socio-political influences on each novelist and their works.
- Create concept maps linking key themes and styles across different novels and periods.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENG381 about?
This course explores the development of the English Novel from its origins to the present day. It provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the themes, styles, and socio-political influences that have shaped the works of major English novelists. Students will analyze selected novels, examining their historical context and cultural significance. The course aims to enhance students' critical thinking and analytical skills through close reading and interpretation of literary texts.
How many units does ENG381 have?
ENG381, The English Novel, has 20 units across 5 modules, over 159 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENG381?
ENG381 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Arts.
Is ENG381 hard?
ENG381 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ENG381 take to study?
About 26 hours of study, spread across its 20 units.
How is ENG381 assessed?
ENG381 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with ENG381?
Literary Critic, Editor, Content Writer, Journalist and Teacher.