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Literature: Six great novels you can read in six weeks
Course details
Course code
Q00018501Course date
Number of classes
6 sessionsTimetable
Branch
Bromley CentralTutor
Brandon RobshawFee range
How you'll learn
Venue
Methodist Church Hall (Beckenham)Bromley Road
Beckenham
BR3 5JE
Level of study
Entry Levels 1,2,3: If you have never studied this subject before and you’re not confident in your skills, Entry levels are a good starting point.
Level 1: Covers basic skills and knowledge needed for this subject
Level 2: Building on basic knowledge or experience. Similar to Grade 4/ C at GCSE or O level in England or Standards in Scotland.
Level 3: Learn about the topic in-depth and have a broad range of skills. Independent working Equivalent to an A level in England or Higher in Scotland.
Beginners: A perfect introduction if you have no experience and skills in this subject.
Improvers: The next step if you have basic skills or knowledge but want to progress them further.
Advanced: Build on the solid experience and skills you have in this subject, applying your skills and knowledge in a more complex way.
Course overview
Course description
Over the six weeks you’ll take part in lively discussions, analysing and interpreting great works of short fiction. To understand literature, we need to engage with it on three levels: our own personal response to it as a work of art; an attempt to understand the preoccupations, aims and agenda of the writer, as illuminated by their biography; and an enquiry into what it can tell us the wider culture and society that produced it. Each class starts with a short lecture from the tutor, putting the work in its historical and cultural context; we then read selected passages and explore all three levels. Be prepared for plenty of (good-natured) disagreement. The novels under discussion are: Candide by Voltaire; Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll; First Love by Ivan Turgenev; Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad; Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger; and The Ballad of the Sad Café by Carson McCullers. Most of these texts are available free online, and selected passages will be posted on Canvas before each session. A course for everyone who loves literature and talking about literature. And of course tea and biscuits feature in every class.
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What financial support is available?
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We don't want anything to stand in your way when it comes to bringing Adult learning within reach so if you need anything to support you to achieve your goals then speak to one of our education experts during your enrolment journey. Most of our courses are government funded but if you don't qualify or need alternative financial help to access them then let us know.
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What other support is available?
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All of our digital content, teaching and learning activities and assessments are designed to be accessible so if you need any additional support you can discuss this with the education experts during your enrolment journey and we will do all we can to make sure you have optimal access.
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