Religion and Arts in Britain 1750 to 1939

 This three-term course explores the linkages between religion and its expression in the arts – painting, architecture, music and literature – from the start of industrialisation to the eve of WWII.  The course will raise questions such as: How did the Pre-Raphaelites express their religious ideas in their art? Did Victorian literature have a religious focus? What impact did the Great War have on the art that emerged from the trenches?

 Students will be expected to read several novels, to listen to set pieces of music and to visit both churches and art galleries.

Mondays 7 pm to 9 pm

Plus Saturday visits

 Term 2 – 1851-1900

11 Jan to 22 Mar excl 15 Feb

 John Elliott and guest lecturers

11 January: John Elliott
1851 a moment in time:
• Industrialization and change
• Great Exhibition
• Rligious census

18 January: John Chandler
Victorian Wiltshire

25 January: John Elliott
Architectural change: Pugin & Ruskin

1 February: John Chandler
Antiquarianism and Stonehenge

8 February: John Cox
Silas Marner by George Eliot

[15 February Half term]

22 February : John Cox
Hard Times by Charles Dickens

1 March : John Cox
Victorian Poetry

6 March (Saturday) : John Elliott
Additional excursion

8 March: John Elliott
Victorian Art

15 & 22 March: Philip Baxter
Victorian hymn singing

There will be an additional excursion on Saturday 6 March if there is sufficient student interest (this is additional to the one which will be offered in the summer term). The plan would be to visit Tate Britain and All Saints Margaret Street. Students would be expected to make their own way to London.

There would also be a small extra charge of £10 for this tour which would be led by John Elliott.

£49.50 per term

 Term 3 – 1901-1939

12 April to 28 June excl 3 & 31 May