Unit details
HUMA4001 Feeling the Past: Emotions in History, 1100–1800
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) | Availability | Location | Mode |
|---|
| Semester 1 | UWA (Perth) | Face to face |
- Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 4 elective
- Honours option in English and Literary Studies; History [Bachelor of Arts (Honours)]
- Content
- The unit is designed in five, two-week modules, with introduction and conclusion sessions. The modules focus on key concepts in the historical understanding, practice and expression of emotions in European tradition from 1100–1800, using relevant primary sources and significant secondary references, with reference to historical events that focused intense emotional energies, for example, the Crusades, the Reformation and the French Revolution. These concepts are drawn from and illustrated by historical documents, literary and theatrical texts, examples of visual and material culture, and examples of intellectual discourses on the emotions of various kinds.
The unit includes examination of the changing intellectual, social and cultural significance of concepts such as 'love', 'the passions' and 'empathy', and consideration of major conceptual frameworks within which the role of human emotions have been understood: physiological; psychological, philosophical/theological, political and popular. Attention is also given to the history of 'emotionology': the changing social and cultural regulation of emotional expression. Attention is paid to gendered aspects of these fields of enquiry.
As well as emphasising past understandings of emotions, the unit introduces students to a variety of contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches to studying the history of emotions. It encourages reflection on the emotional factors that may affect contemporary understanding of the past, and on the continuing effects of European traditions of emotion in contemporary emotional life.
- Outcomes
- Students are able to (1) recognise and analyse major concepts and terms in the European history of emotions, 1100–1800; (2) identify and analyse the operations of major terms and conceptual frameworks of emotion in a variety of texts from the past: historical documents, literary and theatrical texts; examples of visual culture, and examples of various intellectual discourses of emotion; (3) recognise, understand and analyse major conceptual shifts and other changes in the understanding, practice and expression of emotions in the period 1100–1800; (4) show a working knowledge of the main contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches to studying emotions history; (5) give a scholarly, well-researched and illuminating oral presentation on a prepared topic and set of readings in the European history of emotions, 1100–1800; and (6) provide scholarly, well-researched and illuminating discussions of topics and readings in the European history of emotions, 1100–1800.
- Assessment
- Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) seminar attendance, preparedness and contribution; (2) a seminar presentation; and (3) essays. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Kirk Essary
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites:
- eligibility to enter Honours in the following disciplines: English and Cultural Studies; History; European Studies; or Medieval and Early Modern Studies; or eligibility to enter Master of Medieval and Early Modern Studies
- Contact hours
- seminars: 2 hours per week; introduction and conclusion sessions
- Unit Outline
- Semester 1-2020 [SEM-1-2020]
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Books and other material wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary reading', 'Recommended reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available via the Booktopia Textbook Finder, which has the functionality to search by course code, course, ISBN and title, and may also be posted or available at the appropriate school's administrative offices. Where texts are listed in the unit description above, an asterisk (*) indicates that the book is available in paperback.