FutureLearn

Walter Scott: The Man Behind the Monument (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Aberdeen, The Abbotsford Trust,
Walter Scott: The Man Behind the Monument (FutureLearn)

Discover the writer, collector and cultural icon who remains one of Scotland’s most enduring literary legends. Explore literature that shaped the heritage and national identity of the Scots. Walter Scott is one of Scotland’s most significant figures and is famous around the world.

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On this course, you’ll get to know the man behind the monuments and books. You’ll explore and discuss selections of Scott’s work, whilst reflecting upon his cultural impact and enduring literary legacy.
You’ll understand Scott’s significance as a poet and novelist, and will be familiar with some of his best-loved work; such as Waverley and The Heart of Mid-Lothian. You’ll also gain an understanding of how and why he was inspired to write, and how literature can shape heritage and national identity.

What topics will you cover?

  • The work and legacy of Walter Scott
  • Scott as a collector
  • Relationship between Scott’s home at Abbotsford and storytelling
  • Connections between Scott’s work and landscape, history and nationhood
  • Curating Scott’s legacy

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Engage with a selection of texts by Walter Scott
  • Investigate the relationships between literature and national identities
  • Reflect on the cultural impact and legacy of Walter Scott
  • Explore how Scott uses his collection at Abbotsford as a springboard for a story
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