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76503-01 - Proseminar: Wilkie Collins, "The Woman in White": Sensational Literature (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Peter Burleigh (p.burleigh@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | In this proseminar we will be reading some works of the novelist Wilkie Collins (1824-1889). Perhaps well known as a contemporary of Dickens, Collins’ work is often considered to be ground-breaking in the Victorian sensational novel, detective fiction, and early physiological realism. We will read three novels “Basil”, “The Woman in White” and “The Moonstone”, along with literary criticism, and think about the ways in which Collins confronted the middle-class norms of that period especially in relation to gender, sexuality and legal prescriptions of marriage. Agency of and silencing of female subjects is of particular interest. Structurally, the novels are of different forms so this is also a potential focus of the material. A final aspect is the visuality at play in his work, and the consequent modernity of his writing. |
| Learning objectives | You will learn about Collins and his work in general. In particular, approaching his novels from theoretical and close reading perspectives. You will learn further about analytical tools and their application to literature. You will have the opportunity to write a proseminar paper on the topic. |
| Bibliography | A list of critical texts will be made available at the beginning of the course. Be sure to read the novels before the start of term. The books are available from Ganzoni bookshop in Spalenvorstadt 45, 4051 Basel – buying there supports a local independent bookshop, while the Labyrinth opposite the seminar reorganizes itself. - “Basil” 1852 Oxford World’s Classics 2008 ISBN: 978-0199536702 - “The Woman in White” 1860 Penguin Classics 2003 ISBN 978-0141439617 - “The Moonstone” 1868 Penguin Classics 2003 ISBN: 978-0140434088 |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | It is strongly recommended that this course is taken only after the successful completion of the "Introduction I: Literary Studies" and "Introduction II: Literary Theory" proseminars. |
| Course application | Please register in services.unibas.ch by 1st September 2025. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 16.09.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 23.09.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 30.09.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 07.10.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 14.10.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 21.10.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 28.10.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 04.11.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 11.11.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 18.11.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 25.11.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 02.12.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 09.12.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Tuesday 16.12.2025 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 104 |
| Modules |
Modul: Introduction to Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Bachelor's degree subject: English) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Regular attendance, minute taking, in-class task supervision, group work. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |