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76507-01 - Seminar: Jane Austen and Colonialism (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Isabel Jimenez (isabel.jimenez@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that Jane Austen chose to ignore the decisive historical events of her time” (Williams 161). Or did she? If one is speaking of historical events in Austen, echoes of the Napoleonic wars can be perceived in 'Persuasion' (1817), and in every drawing room where tea is served one is surrounded by the products of empire. While subtle, Jane Austen’s depiction of the drawing rooms of country estates like Mansfield Park and Hartfield synchronizes the domestic sphere of the gentry with the British colonial rule in the Caribbean (Said 87). In this seminar we will revisit Austen’s 'Mansfield Park' (1814), 'Emma' (1815), 'Persuasion' (1817), and the unfinished 'Sanditon' (1817*) and read them in the context of British Imperialism. Both for seasoned Janeites and for curious beginners, this seminar aims to get a richer understanding of Austen’s work by paying special attention to one of the many layers in her work. Our task will be to “lose neither a true historical sense of the first, nor a full enjoyment or appreciation of the second, all the while seeing both together” (Said 97). |
| Learning objectives | - Students will gain historical knowledge of Britain and Empire around Austen’s time. - Students will achieve an understanding of Jane Austen’s 'Mansfield Park', 'Emma', and 'Persuasion', and will read secondary literature about these novels. - Students will be exposed to postcolonial scholarship on Jane Austen. |
| Bibliography | Students should acquire/have access to the following texts: - Austen, Jane. 'Emma'. Penguin Classics. Reissue Edition. (2003) ISBN-10: 0141439580 ISBN-13: 978-0141439587 - Austen, Jane. 'Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sanditon'. Penguin Classics. ISBN 978-0-14-043102-5 - Austen, Jane. 'Mansfield Park'. Penguin Classics; Reissue edition. (2003) ISBN-10: 0141439807 - Austen, Jane. 'Persuasion'. Penguin Classics. Reissue Edition. (2003) ISBN-10: 0141439688 ISBN-13: 978-0141439686 Any edition is fine; if you already have another edition there is no need to buy a new one. These are just the ones the instructor will be using. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | This seminar is for BA students on the advanced level. Students must have completed all three introductory modules and proseminar papers. |
| Course application | Please register for the course on services.unibas.ch. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 17.09.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 24.09.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 01.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 08.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 15.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 22.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 29.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 05.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 12.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 19.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 26.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 03.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 10.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Wednesday 17.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Modules |
Modul: Advanced Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Bachelor's degree subject: English) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Regular attendance, active participation, written tasks, forum questions. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |