Victorian Gothic: History, Literature and CultureMA

Victorian society and culture was a contradiction – an era of bold vision and technological wonders entwined with deep social fears and cultural anxieties.

Why do we associate the Victorians with darkness, sin, hypocrisy and monstrosity? Why does the Gothic seem to best encapsulate how we think about and remember the Victorians? These are some of the questions you'll explore on this course.

This MA explores not just 19th-century Gothic cultures but, more generally, the fears, wonders, and dark imagination of the Victorian era. Through a rich and fascinating range of historical, literary and folkloric texts, themes and approaches, you'll probe the darker side of the Victorian age.

The course gives you access to a wealth of online resources and digitised archival material relating to Victorian culture and draws on local literary and cultural resources, such as the Conan Doyle Collection (Lancelyn Green Bequest) in Portsmouth’s Central Library. You'll have the freedom and scope to pursue your own areas of interest and research via an individual research project and 15,000-word dissertation.

As well as giving you greater expertise in the fields of nineteenth-century history and Victorian Gothic literature, this course also enhances your knowledge and skills in other areas. During this course, you'll:

• develop the skillset required to work in the heritage industry, the arts and media
• develop a strong grounding for pursuing more advanced levels of academic study, including PhDs and careers in academia
• improve your broader academic skills, such as the ability to analyse, assess, synthesise and evaluate
• develop your archival and research skills, as well as data analysis and interpretation abilities
• improve your oral and written communication, time and workload management, and other transferable skills

Work experience and career planning

To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course.

We can help you identify placements, internships, voluntary roles and freelancing opportunities that will complement your studies and build your CV.

We'll also be available to help, advise and support you for up to 5 years as you advance in your career.

Teaching

Teaching on this course is delivered entirely through distance learning, and includes:

• interactive online resources
• digitised primary sources
• links to reading lists and ebooks
• online training seminars
• video clips from renowned experts

Seminars typically run for 90 minutes and take place in the early evening (UK time). There will usually be a pre-recorded introductory video or narrated Powerpoint presentation to watch before the seminar. We'll repeat some online seminars so you can choose the best time to attend.

You'll be expected to read a range of texts from the recommended reading list for the week, and to review any source material that will be discussed in the seminar. You should also jot down some initial responses to the thematic questions ahead of group discussion. You'll be expected to spend at least three hours preparing for a 90-minute seminar.

The focus of the seminars in the content modules (Victorian Anxieties and Victorian Enchantments) will vary from week to week. One week the emphasis will be on historical sources and interpretations, the next it will be on literary sources and analysis. Seminars are led by historians or literary scholars, as appropriate.

You'll get to chat with fellow students, discuss and present your work and keep in touch with tutors. You'll get plenty of support throughout your studies, including help on writing and structuring essays, and how to undertake research.

You'll receive all course materials via Moodle, our online learning environment. You'll need access to a computer and a Web connection. You may be able to access some of the resources through a tablet or smartphone, with limited functionality. You don't need to be especially computer literate, although typing skills are useful.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed through:

• Historiographical and documentary essays. A reflective response to a question, drawing upon different sources to analyse and evaluate a specific question, with the aim of presenting a clear and well-argued viewpoint.
• Source review/documentary commentary. A detailed analysis and assessment of a particular piece of historical evidence or a literary source.
• Presentation or vlog. A chance to demonstrate and enhance your presentation skills, and the ability to convey ideas, reflections and arguments through oral and visual form, rather than written form.
  
• Extended individual research project and dissertation. A sustained piece of individual research into a Victorian topic of your own choosing. Working under the guidance of a supervisor, and combining analysis of both primary source evidence and secondary literature, the emphasis is on producing an original piece of research that attempts to advance a fresh interpretation or perspective. This also includes a project plan or proposal, submitted early in the modules to enable you to gain formative feedback on your proposed projects.

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

September 2023 and January 2024 start

• Distance learning full-time (180 credits): £8,500
• Distance learning part-time (90 credits): £4,250 a year

All fees subject to annual increase.

September 2024 and January 2025 start

• Distance learning full-time (180 credits): £8,900
• Distance learning part-time (90 credits): £4,450 a year

All fees subject to annual increase.