Enlightenment literature: liberal values

About this session

Join Dr Lynda Morgan, an experienced Open University lecturer and tutor, for this stimulating session through centuries of literature.

The focus of this session is the period of Enlightenment and the literature that was produced during this time. We will examine key historical developments and their implications for ways of thinking about individual identity, and discuss how these developments led to the emergence of particular types of writing. In particular the focus will be on satire and prose.

Texts will include Gulliver's Travels, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu's Turkish Letters, and Arabian Nights' Entertainments. These are all texts on A334, and the developments in prose writing will be used to suggest ways into Jane Austen's novels, which are studied on A334 later on the module.

There is no need to have read the texts in advance; all textual extracts looked at will be provided on screen. The slides will also be circulated following the study day.

This session will be highly relevant to Open University A334 students, but will also be of broad general interest, so you don't need to be a student on the module to benefit. It lasts from 10.00 to 14.00, with a couple of short breaks. There will be plenty of opportunity to make comments and ask questions if you wish.

How to join

Please note that this session will be presented live online via Zoom. For more information on Zoom, see https://zoom.us/ A link will be sent out at least 24 hours beforehand.

About LRAC, the Arts and Humanities Society

LRAC, the Arts and Humanities Society, is a non profit making club run by a voluntary group of past and present Open University students who arrange study days, lectures, workshops, museum and gallery visits.

We are not a formal part of the Open University but we are affiliated to the Open University Students Association: https://www.oustudents.com/organisation/6211/

We do not receive any funding from the Open University or other institutions. The price of your ticket goes towards the cost of putting on this study session and future events to support and enrich student learning.