ENG4455 – Reading Milton's Paradise Lost
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
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 an essay on a provided topic as well as preparing for the exam, students will learn to engage in the lively critical debate on Paradise Lost.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you:
- can read Milton carefully and sensitively,
- know how to ask productive research questions,
- can use the library for academic research,
- have engaged practically with Milton scholarship.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Teaching
Seminars, 2 hours per week for 14 weeks. 28 hours in all.
- An assignment turned in by a stated deadline.
All obligatory activities must be approved for you to sit the exam. All obligatory activities must be approved in the same semester. Once the course requirements have been fulfilled, they remain valid for the current and the next two semesters that the course is taught.
Examination
The form of assessment is a 4-hour written examination.
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in 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.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.