Reading Virginia Woolf: A Room of One’s Own and To the Lighthouse

Aims of the course

This course aims to:
1. Introduce you to a selection of key texts by Virginia Woolf.
2. Give you an understanding of the historical and social context of the texts.
3. Enable you to participate in discussion about the texts and their implications.

Content

Virginia Woolf is regarded as one of the greatest British writers of the 20th century. This course studies two major works, To the Lighthouse (1927) and A Room of One’s Own (1929). We will also read some essays and short stories. Our aim is to study both her ideas and her literary techniques. What makes her work a delight to some, and a challenge to others? What is the relationship between her ideas and literary form? How did Woolf make her mark upon the development of the novel in the 20th century?

To get the most out of the course, you should read all the set texts before you come to Cambridge, and expect to reread them while you are here. In class, we will undertake some ‘close reading’ in the Cambridge tradition. This technique helps us to understand in very precise ways how an author is using language, and to grasp something of the richness and complexity of a literary work. We will also study Woolf’s lifeand historical context, including the First World War, which affected her deeply. We will also explore her ideas about women, education, and marriage. If you have time before you come, you might read other books by Woolf, such as Mrs Dalloway (1925), Three Guineas, or The Years from the 1930s. You might also read more of her essays, or her published diaries and letters, and the biographies of Woolf by Hermione Lee or Michael Whitworth.

One session is planned to take place at Newnham College, where we hope to visit the Library, Archives, and Clough Hall, the venue for a lecture by Woolf in 1928 which was expanded and published as A Room of One’s Own, and, weather permitting, explore the beautiful gardens and grounds.

Please buy your own copy of the set texts by Woolf, if possible in the Oxford World Classics edition.

Presentation of the course

Sessions will begin with an introductory lecture and presentation, then an opportunity for students to explore sections of the texts in more detail in pairs or small groups, followed by re-convening as a full group for the sharing of ideas and further discussion.

It is hoped that one of the sessions will take place at Newnham College where we will visit an exhibition relating to A Room of One’s Own and have a talk by the Archivist/Librarian.

Class sessions

1. Introduction: Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf? Woolf’s essays and ideas.

2. Woolf, To the Lighthouse (1927).

3. Woolf, To the Lighthouse (1927).

4. Woolf, A Room of One’s Own (1929) (planned to take place at Newnham College).

5. Woolf, short stories from The Mark on the Wall. Conclusions.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:

1. To gain a greater knowledge of the primary texts and an understanding of their historical context;
2. To become familiar with some literary-critical ways of thinking about Woolf;
3. To develop your skills of close analysis and sensitivity to tone, style and genre;
4. To be able to discuss the reading in the seminar group and to contribute usefully to general debate about the issues of the course.

Required reading

Woolf, Virginia. To the Lighthouse, edited by David Bradshaw. Oxford World Classics, 2008,ISBN 978-0-19-953661-0.

Woolf, Virginia. A Room of One’s Own and Three Guineas, edited by Morag Shiach. Oxford World Classics, 2008, ISBN 978-0-19-953660-3.

Woolf, Virginia. The Mark on the Wall and Other Short Fiction, edited by David Bradshaw. Oxford World Classics, 2008, ISBN 978-0-19-955499-7

Typical week: Monday to Friday

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students. 

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.