Please come along to the department staff research seminar in weeks 8 and 10 (all welcome from across the School). We will be running them in a hybrid format to facilitate participation, but apologies to those for whom this time is difficult. Please bring lunch; we will try and source some biscuits. Tues, Nov 15 (Week 8), … Continue reading “English Lit Department Research Seminar”
Category: English Literature
Works Loved: Magic! (Tuesday 25 October)
Welcome! On Tuesday 25th October, in honour of Halloween, we invite you to bring any and all texts relating to magic. Come along to share works of fiction, film, or other media that you’ve enjoyed on this theme.
Page Breaks: Ursula Le Guin’s “Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction” (Tues 18th October)
On Tuesday 18th October, we’ll discuss Ursula Le Guin’s thought-provoking essay on storytelling, community, and her call to move beyond “the killer story” to the novel as “a medicine bundle, holding things in a particular, powerful relation to one another and to us.”
Romance Reading Group: Reimagining the ‘Happily Ever After’ in Chick Lit Franchises
Our first Romance Reading Group online session this academic year is based on sequels. And Just Like That (2021), she was Mad About the Boy (2013). This will be on Wednesday 19th October at 5:30pm GMT via Zoom, so save the date in your calendars! RSVP via: https://romancegroup.wixsite.com/home/event-details/reimagining-the-happily-ever-after-in-chick-lit-franchises to be automatically sent the Zoom link. In this session, Charlotte will … Continue reading “Romance Reading Group: Reimagining the ‘Happily Ever After’ in Chick Lit Franchises”
Page Breaks: Villains & Anti-Heroes (Tues 11th October)
On Tuesday 11th October, we’ll discuss villains and anti-heroes in literature and pop culture, thinking especially about fandom and “loveable” villains.
English Literature Postgraduate Researchers – Welcome Event
On Wednesday 28th September at 3pm, we’ll have a welcome event for all new postgraduate researchers in English Literature. It’ll be informal and friendly, so please do come along!
Page Breaks: Autumn (Tuesday 4th October, 1pm)
On Tuesday 4th October, we’ll discuss this change of seasons in literature, sharing notes on autumnal imagery in works we’ve enjoyed (or disliked!).
Page Breaks: May the 4th be with you (Star Wars edition – Wed 4th May)
On Wednesday 4th May, we’ll think about the influence of galactic blockbuster Star Wars.
Page Breaks: back in May 2022
Due to a combination of industrial action, illness, and the Easter break, Page Breaks is on hiatus until early May. We’ll be back at the regular time from 4th May, and in the meantime do send suggestions for future texts to Dorothy Butchard (d.butchard@bham.ac.uk)
Page Breaks: How A Book is Made (Wed 23 Feb)
This week, we’ll think about the material qualities of literary production, responding to a photo essay detailing the steps of producing a print book.