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European Literature in Translation: Early European Giants

10 weekly online sessions, on Thursdays at 6pm-7pm, starting from Thursday 2 October - we are no longer taking enrolments for this course.

Overview

This course is a continuation of the popular European Literature in Translation course series. We'll look at older European texts and demonstrate the forces that shaped early literature on the continent. 

The set texts will be Boccaccio’s Decameron, Christine de Pizan's The Book of the City of Ladies, Don Quixote and Voltaire’s Candide. These texts are each a study of the power of human imagination and offer an excellent entry point into a comprehensive range of literary topics. 

This short course enables you to enhance your understanding of European literary texts. It will build the skills and confidence needed to approach and understand literary texts in translation from a wide range of historical periods. Expect lively discussion in a relaxed online environment.

All texts will be in English and no knowledge of an additional language is required. No prior knowledge is needed, although you're encouraged to read the set texts before the relevant session.

Syllabus

  • Week 1: Introduction to the course: Text and Context
  • Week 2: Boccaccio, The Decameron (Introduction) analysis and discussion
  • Week 3: Boccaccio, The Decameron analysis and discussion
  • Week 4: Christine de Pizan, The Book of the City of Ladies analysis and discussion
  • Week 5 Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote analysis and discussion
  • Week 6: Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote analysis and discussion
  • Week 7: Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote analysis and discussion
  • Week 8: Voltaire, Candide analysis and discussion
  • Week 9: Voltaire, Candide analysis and discussion
  • Week 10: Summary and reflection on all four texts.

Course lecturer

Alexandra Claridge is a tutor, lecturer and researcher who has taught for the University of Liverpool and for Birkbeck, University of London. Her research specialism is in medieval and Early Modern literature.. 

Course fee

  • Standard fee: £155
  • Concession fee: £80.