University of Kent

This course explores arguably the most popular of secular literary forms from late medieval and early modern Europe. The course explores a range of chivalric romances alongside a variety of other literary, textual, and material productions that testify to a cultural fascination with the ideals of knighthood and with courtly values more generally. The course pays particular attention to the rise of romance literature in the late medieval period, with narratives that were repeatedly translated into English for socially diverse audiences. It explores particular tropes within romance literature and courtly lyric poetry, particularly in respect of the portrayal of women. It has long been recognized that romance literature was often read by mixed gender audiences and the course explores how the genre functioned to guide female behavior against patriarchal and social norms.

The New Woman, a controversial figure who became prominent in British literature in the late 19th century, challenged traditional views of femininity and represented a more radical understanding of women's nature and role in society. She was associated with a range of unconventional behavior – from smoking and bicycle-riding to sexuality outside marriage and political activism. This course examines some of the key literary texts identified with the New Woman phenomenon including women’s journalism in the period. The course’s reading are organized around central thematic concerns such as sexuality and motherhood, suffrage and politics, and career and creativity. Students consider to what extent the New Woman was a media construction or whether the term reflected the lives of progressive women in the period. 

The course covers various aspects of the changing international business environment, and their impact upon business operations and strategy. It gives students an appreciation of the business difficulties faced; the variety of factors influencing the choices and compromises that have to be made in international businesses, and the implications of those for the future viability and effectiveness of the organizations concerned.

This course introduces students to the key concepts of managing people involving and examination of organizational, management, and human resource management theory and practice. This is achieved through relating relevant theory to practical people and organizational management issues.