Henry James: Early, Middle, Late



Overview

In this course we shall study three novels from the early, middle and late stages of Henry James's career: Roderick Hudson, The Portrait of a Lady and The Wings of the Dove. An American who settled in England, James wrote often of the 'international theme', relationships between the United States and European cultures, which is central to all three novels. Europe is represented as complex, sophisticated, rich in history and art, fascinating but possibly dangerous to his innocent, gifted and idealistic American protagonists.

We shall also examine the recurring subject of the artist. Roderick Hudson, a highly talented sculptor, may never realise his full potential if he stays in his puritanical native New England. Isabel Archer, whose relative poverty may compromise the claims of her imagination, is given more freedom and the opportunity to waste it. By contrast,  Millie Theale's fortune will be useless to her if she is fatally ill.  All three characters are placed in potentially tragic situations. 

We shall examine these novels in the light of James's theories of fiction and his contribution to the development of the novel.

Programme details

Courses begins: 23 Jan 2025

Week 1:  Introduction, Roderick Hudson.

Week 2:  Roderick Hudson.

Week 3:  Roderick Hudson

Week 4: The Portrait of a Lady

Week 5:  The Portrait of a Lady

Week 6:  The Portrait of a Lady

Week 7:  The Wings of the Dove

Week 8:  The Wings of the Dove

Week 9:  The Wings of the Dove

Week 10:  The Wings of the Dove  Concluding discussion

Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £285.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Priscilla Martin

Priscilla Martin teaches English Literature and Classics.  Her publications include books on Chaucer, Langland, Shakespeare, Iris Murdoch, articles on the Gawain-poet, Tyndale and twentieth-century novelists; and a novel.

Course aims

The students should acquire a detailed knowledge and appreciation of the three texts and develop their critical skills in reading fiction.

Course Objectives:

1.  A detailed knowledge and appreciation of the three texts and their place in James's literary career.

2. Acquaintance with James's theories of fiction and his contribution to the development of the novel.

3. Improved skills in reading, discussing and writing about literature.

Teaching methods

The classes will mainly consist of discussion and student participation is expected and encouraged.  The tutor will provide introductory background material on all three novels and on James's life, career and critical theories. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the students will have a detailed knowledge of the three prescribed texts and a general knowledge of James's literary career, his novels, short stories, plays, prefaces and theories of fiction.  Their critical skills will have been sharpened by the study of these novels.

Assessment methods

Written work (a formative piece of up to 500 words and summative work of about 1500 words) is required for students registered for CATS points and recommended for all students.  This may take the form of one long essay, two short essays or a portfolio of short pieces such as an analysis of a paragraph from one of the novels   A class presentation accompanied by notes is also acceptable and is interesting to other members of the group.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment Form (Word) or Enrolment Form (Pdf)

Level and demands

No previous knowledge is necessary for this course.

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support