The Serious Pleasures of Literary Reading: Exploring the Roots and Routes of the Novel

We very much look forward to welcoming both new and returning students to the University of Southampton. Unless otherwise stated, all courses will be taught in person at our Avenue Campus.

We would like to advise that you will need to have the appropriate technology and suitable internet connection in place, as we will be making use of online materials. At Southampton, we use a virtual learning environment (VLE) called Blackboard which is used to deliver learning materials and real-time online teaching for our students.

The Serious Pleasure of Literary Reading: Exploring the Roots and Routes of the Novel

This course will take you on a journey exploring the novel’s roots and routes. Starting with a well-known quintessential British novel, the course aims to examine how diverse cultures adopt and reshape the novel form to express unique histories, voices, and identities. As each text shows how writers bend literary traditions to confront social, political, and personal realities, you will engage with critical questions about narrative form, cultural identity, and the global circulation of literature. Alongside close readings, we will consider the historical and cultural contexts that shaped each work, and discuss how novels both recognise and challenge dominant narratives of nation, empire, and belonging. This course is ideal for those who like great stories, and want to see how the novel travels, transforms, and speaks across cultures.

This 6-week course will take place on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm starting on 23rd April 2026 and finishing on 28th May 2026.

Please see our price list below:

• Standard price - £115.00
• Staff/student/alumni price - £100.00

Please note: if you select the staff or student price option, you must use an online store account that has been set up with your University email address and fill out your University staff or student ID number when prompted as part of the questionnaire data section.

When booking a course please consult our Terms and Conditions which set out our cancellation and refund policy.

Payment using the Online Store can only be completed via Visa and Mastercard Credit/Debit Card or PayPal.  AMEX is not accepted.
If you have not previously created an account for the Online Store, you will need to create an account to make a booking.