Money in British Fiction

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

In the course, a number of British novels in different genres and written during the Late Victorian period and later, down to the present day, are studied in order to discuss the role that money plays in them. By looking more closely at the historical contexts that have given rise to the different ways in which money plays an importance in the novels, the course shows how literature is a place where cultural importance is added to the objective meaning of money. The aim of the course is both to show how fictitious statements contribute to the general public's understanding of economics and how our understanding of money in turn is central for how we create literary meaning. In this way, the course facilitates further discussion of literature as a medium through which material inequality and ecological imbalance can be maintained as well as challenged.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• account for how British economic and social history from the mid-19th century and later has been treated in fiction;
• describe and discuss the narrative and metaphorical role of money in British novels from the Victorian period down to the present day, with special focus on how literature problematises the possibility of an economic system that is socially and ecologically sustainable;

Competence and skills

• analyse literary texts with a focus on how money is used in both a literal and figurative sense;
• discuss independently and methodologically thematic and metaphorical aspects of literary texts by means of relevant primary and secondary literature that is treated in accordance with academic precision.

Judgement and approach

• critically reflect on the interplay between culture and economics as well as on its implications for social justice;
• reflect in an interdisciplinary way on what literature can learn from economics and vice versa.

This is an online course. The teaching is given in the form of recorded lectures and seminars on the virtual learning platform of the course.

Language of instruction: English

To what extent the student has achieved the aim of the course is tested through two written assignments.

A student who has failed a course item is eligible for a retake exam/assignment. In connection with written assignments, supplementary assignments may be offered in order for the student to achieve a Pass grade. Such a supplementary assignment should be done within the stipulated time (normally five working days after the result has been posted). Otherwise a Fail grade will be reported.

A student who has completed an exam/assignment with a passing grade is not eligible for a retake for the purpose of receiving a higher grade. Nor may a student withdraw a test/assignment once it has been submitted for the purpose of avoiding receiving a grade for the work.

If a student, who has been failed twice on the same course component being examined, requests a change of examiner before the next examination session, a request of this kind must be sent in writing to the department responsible for the course, and shall be granted, unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22, Higher Education Ordinance).

If the University of Gothenburg has decided that a student is eligible for special study support, the examiner may, provided it is compatible with the aim of the course and it can be done within the scope of available resources, decide to offer the student an adjusted examination or a different examination format.

In the case where a course has been discontinued or has undergone major changes, a student shall be guaranteed access to at least three examination opportunities (including the regular examination opportunity) during a period of at least one year, but at the most two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. As regards internships and practice at a school (VFU), the equivalent applies but limited to only one additional examination opportunity.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). To pass the course with distinction, the grade Pass with distinction is required on at least 50% of the credits of the course.

The students are given the opportunity to make a written evaluation of the course. The results of the evaluation are published digitally.

Equality aspects should be taken into consideration in content, literature, teaching and evaluation.