ENG4455 - Reading Milton’s Paradise Lost
Course content
This course will give an introduction to Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost (1667). Through close reading, we will explore the poem’s main thematic concerns and poetic qualities. Since close reading goes hand in hand with contextualization, we will also develop an understanding of the poem’s various aesthetic, historical and intellectual contexts (literary, theological, political). Alastair Fowler’s annotation of the poem will serve as the main point of entry to Milton scholarship. By writing a research paper, students will learn to engage in the lively critical debate on Paradise Lost.
Learning outcome
After completing this course you will have:
- learned to read Milton carefully and sensitively;
- learned to ask productive research questions;
- acquired the skill to use the library;
- engaged practically with Milton scholarship—and above all, to enjoy Paradise Lost.
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The minimum number of attendants for the course is 5, the maximum 15.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.
Teaching
Seminar, two hours per week for 10 weeks, 20 hours in all.
Attendance is an obligatory class requirement (80%).Additional absences must be justified (please contact the exam coordinator).
Examination
The exam is a term paper of 10 standard pages. You will have the opportunity to receive comments on drafts of your paper. You are supposed to work with the assignment throughout the whole semester.
You submit your paper in Fronter in the course's "fellesrom". Read more about submission procedures
The term paper is the basis for the grade in this course.
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
English
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.
Resit an examination
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam.
Withdrawal from an examination
A student may sit this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Once the course requirements have been fulfilled, they remain valid for the current and the next two semesters that the course is taught.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential if we are to provide the best possible education. As a student at the University of Oslo you will be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses. Every time a course is given, we ask students to participate in mid-term evaluations, and periodically we ask them to participate in periodic evaluation of the course.