All Courses
English Literature

In this course, Dr Christopher Pittard (University of Portsmouth) explores Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novel, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. In the first module, we think about the genre of the novel, before turning in the second novel to consider the...
9 lectures
1:44:41
Dr Christopher Pittard
Portsmouth University
History

In this course, Dr Sean Cunningham (The National Archives) explores the reign of Henry VII through eight key questions: (1) How did Henry Tudor become king of England?; (2) Did Henry rely too heavily on his friends for support?; (3) How secure was...
8 lectures
1:12:52
Dr Sean Cunningham
The National Archives
History

In this course, Dr David Smith (University of Cambridge) explores the reign of Charles I of England. The course begins by thinking about Charles’ reputation among modern historians, before considering his reign in four parts: his early life and...
5 lectures
0:46:54
Dr David Smith
University of Cambridge
Classics & Ancient History

In this course, we discuss four key themes in Homer's Odyssey. In the first module, we concentrate on the concept of oral poetry - the idea that the Odyssey was not originally written down, but passed orally from generation to...
4 lectures
0:28:08
Prof. Edith Hall
King's College London
Classics & Ancient History

In this course, Professor Richard Jenkyns (University of Oxford) explores Homer's Odyssey. We begin by thinking about the nature of the poem, focusing in particular on the nature of oral poetry and the Odyssey's relationship (if any) with the...
5 lectures
0:43:41
Prof. Richard Jenkyns
University of Oxford
English Literature

In this course, we explore the poetry of John Donne, thinking in particular about poetic language and style, the issues that preoccupied him throughout his life and career, and the extent to which we can understand John Donne the man...
5 lectures
0:54:46
Dr Anna Beer
University of Oxford
English Literature

In this course, Dr Adam Stock (York St John University) explores George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. The first four modules cover historical and literary context, including the genre of the novel, the life and career of George Orwell himself,...
11 lectures
1:53:34
Dr Adam Stock
York St John University
English Literature

In this course, Professor John McRae (University of Nottingham) explores Carol Ann Duffy’s 1999 collection, 'The World's Wife'. After a brief introduction to the collection as a whole, the course continue with a read-through and analysis of each...
30 lectures
3:22:10
Prof. John McRae
Nottingham University
English Literature

In this course, Ms Karen Hewitt (University of Oxford) explores Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles. As we move through the course, we think about the social context of the novel—particularly Victorian ideas about female sexuality—and the...
8 lectures
1:08:15
Mrs Karen Hewitt
University of Oxford
English Literature

In this course, Professor Jon Mee (University of York) explores the life and poetry of the great Romantic poet, John Keats. We begin by looking at Keats’ background, including his family, early education, and his career, before exploring Keats’...
7 lectures
0:39:56
Prof. Jon Mee
York University
English Literature

In this course, Professor John McRae (University of Nottingham) explores Carol Ann Duffy’s 1993 collection, ‘Mean Time'. After an introductory module in which we think about the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy in general and the collection as a whole –...
40 lectures
3:27:24
Prof. John McRae
Nottingham University
English Literature

In this course, Professor John Bowen (University of York) explores Emily Brontë’s 1848 novel, Wuthering Heights. In the first module, we provide an introduction to the novel as a whole, focusing in particular on Brontë’s life, her character, and...
10 lectures
0:46:31
Prof. John Bowen
York University
History

In this course, Dr Arfon Rees (University of Birmingham) thinks about Stalinist Russia in the period 1917-41. We begin by providing an overview of Russian history from the late 19th century up to the end of the Russian Civil War...
6 lectures
1:14:51
Dr Arfon Rees
Birmingham University
English Literature

In this course, Professor John McRae (University of Nottingham) explores the fifteen poems that make up the ‘Conflict’ cluster for GCSE English Literature (Edexcel). Each poem is read in full, with a short commentary highlighting aspects ...
15 lectures
2:07:30
Prof. John McRae
Nottingham University