Theme and genre in literary studies

In this unit we will examine a particular conjunction of theme and genre in a range works of literature chosen from several historical periods, paying close attention to both their literary forms, structures and techniques, and to the historical contexts to which each responds and in which each might be re-interpreted. For example, consideration might be given to the way in which authors from diverse times and places have imagined better or worse alternative realities in the mode of utopian or dystopian literature.