Reconsidering the Victorians

3 units

While the label Victorian often conjures up images of decorum, prudery, and restraint, the 63-year reign of Britain's Queen Victoria has also been characterized as an age of progress, empire, and confidence--even arrogance. Through a selection of primary sources and secondary scholarship, this seminar will explore (and challenge) many of the attitudes, ideals and values associated with Victorian Britain. In the process, we will examine themes of reform, modernization, and periodization, and develop provisional definitions of what it meant (and means) to be Victorian. This is a fully online course. Only University College students can receive credit for fully online courses. Instructor will email registered students with instructions.