This course analyses works representing different types of hero: classical, tragic, popular, traditional, comic, anti-heroes and others. It explores the notion of heroism, its absence in our lives and our longing for it as this finds expression in various historical contexts and cultures.

Lectures on Tuesday and Wednesday at 12pm; seminars on Thursday (choice of times) over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

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Essay (1500 words) - 40%

Essay (2000 words) - 60%

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ analyse works representing different types of hero: classical, tragic, popular, traditional, comic, anti-heroes and others;

■ explore the notion of heroism, its absence in our lives and our longing for it as this finds expression in various historical contexts and cultures;

■ deal with the notion of masculinity as a cultural and historical construct;

■ apply the analytical skills students have gained to a wide range of problems which may confront them in different situations and contexts in later life;

■ explore the features of a number of literary/cultural forms, providing a framework of ideas and methodologies appropriate to specific genres, ideas which students will apply to the comparative study of texts.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ discuss selected culturally-different texts in their historical and intellectual contexts;

■ analyse, compare and contrast various texts within a unified framework, focussing on one issue/theme/topic;

■ construct cogent arguments drawing on appropriate evidence and present them coherently in writing;

■ identify the key features of the genres studied and relate these as appropriate to the comparative study of the course texts.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.