This six week course begins by looking at the life of Thomas Hardy, one of the 19th century's most popular writers. Hardy was often critical of Victorian society and many of his characters struggle, not only with their passions but also against their social circumstances. After an initial session looking at Hardy's biography, we will go on to study two of his novels: 'Far From the Madding Crowd' and 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles.' We will finish by looking at a selection of his poems (to be provided on Canvas).
Course aim
This course looks at the life of Thomas Hardy and a selection of his writing.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Engage with the life and works of Thomas Hardy, drawing a distinction between biography and fiction.
- Understand and engage with the literary concerns of the 19th century.
- View the selected texts in their socio-historical context.
- Approach literary texts in a critical way and discuss my findings with fellow students.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- Week 1: Biography (no reading required) Weeks 2 & 3: Far From the Madding Crowd Weeks 4 & 5: Tess of the d’Urbervilles Week 6: Poems (to be provided on Canvas)
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet
