Wuthering Heights uni module given content warning for students

A university has issued a content warning for a literature module featuring Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, warning students it contains "distressing" material.

Students enrolling on the course are advised it includes themes of misogyny, racism and homophobia, as well as "graphic representations of physical and sexual violence".

The advisory has sparked debate about the growing use of content warnings in higher education and whether they enhance or hinder engagement with classic literature.

A university spokesperson said the content warning "enables students to make an informed decision before choosing the module".

"The content warning is intended to warn students that they may find some of the themes in these historic texts distressing and provide an opportunity to discuss concerns with the module leader."

Published in 1847, Wuthering Heights is widely considered one of the most influential novels of the Victorian period.

Emily Brontë's only novel explores class, racism, revenge and violence in the remote Yorkshire moors.

The university module includes Wuthering Heights as part of broader examination of mainly Victorian tales of horror published between the 1830s and 1920s.

It's also set to include Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and Bram Stoker's Dracula.

The advisory states: "Please be aware that several of the books/topics discussed in this module deal with difficult themes... which some students may find distressing. If you have any concerns about this, please contact the module leader for advice."

Students at the university expressed mixed views when asked about the warning.

Aby, 23, an English literature and creative writing student, said she had appreciated content warnings in the past.

"I think it's very fair, it makes it accessible to every student," she said. "I know that I've benefited from the warnings put on books and on topics of discussion within the seminars but I've not felt inhibited from my degree."

Ash, 23, said he felt the advisory was unnecessary for a well-known literary classic and raised concerns about people being influenced by a warning instead of forming their own conclusions.

"This [gives] people with a preconceived idea about what might be in the book," he added. "You've got to put yourself outside your comfort zone, if there's uncomfortable themes... it's on you to discover those and discuss them in uni. That's the idea."

Sophie read Wuthering Heights when she was 12 and said she didn't feel like it needed a content warning but understood why it might be appropriate for some.

"Everyone at the university is an adult but then I guess content warnings are so people can go into the book feeling informed in case there is anything that could possibly trigger them," she said.

"It helps people make a more informed decision but it could also scare people off when it's not quite necessary."

Content advisories, sometimes referred to as "trigger warnings", have become increasingly common in universities in recent years, particularly on courses that explore violence, discrimination or other sensitive topics.

Supporters have argued they help students prepare for challenging material and access support if needed.

Wuthering Heights remains one of the most influential novels of the Victorian period.

It has generated debate around the age and ethnicity of the lead actors, the erotically charged scenes and the historical accuracy of the costumes.

Additional reporting by Amelia Shone-Adams and Greg Davies