British Literary Tradition 1 (ENG 2101.02)

MW 1:30-2:45, Tolentine 204

Scott Black, SAC 427, 610-519-4642
office hours: MW 12:00-1:30 and by appointment                 
scott.black@villanova.edu
http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/scott.black

This course will introduce students to the first half of English literary history (from Beowulf to the late eighteenth century). We will consider literature as both a game and a tool: a way to make friends or attack enemies, to woo lovers or kings, as well as a way to argue, explain, and try to understand the world. Over the course of the semester, we’ll see writers laying the groundwork for some of the defining features of the modern world—new paradigms of culture and self, experience and tradition, nature and imagination—and we’ll consider how writing helped foster and make sense of these new developments. By looking at how different literary forms and genres (poetry and prose, comedy and tragedy, romance and neoclassicism) interacted with changing social realities, we’ll explore the various uses of literature, how it was used both to explain a changing world and to resist those changes by building refuges from them.

Text (available in bookstore):

Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors (volume A), seventh edition

Requirements: prep paragraphs / response papers (15%), 2 short papers (15%, 15%), presentation (15%), mid-term (10%), final (15%), participation (15%) (You must pass each part to pass the class.)

Participation: This is a discussion class. Come to class prepared to discuss the readings. (To do this, of course, you must come to class: attendance is required). 

Writing: Because writing well is an integral component of reading well, there will be regular and frequent writing assignments in this class. These will be divided into three levels or stages:

First, for each class please bring in your reading notes. These should consist of brief responses, comments, or questions about the day’s reading. Sometimes I’ll suggest ahead of time a passage, dynamic, or theme to look for and sometimes you will be on your own. Reading with pen in hand will help you prepare for discussion.

Second, every other week an informal response paper will be due. These are on topics of your own choosing, responses to the week’s readings or class discussions. They may further elaborate on your prep paragraphs or be on something completely different.

Third, there will be 2 short formal essays (3-5 pages) on topics assigned by me (although you will always have the option of proposing an alternative topic, which could start from either your prep paragraphs or your response papers).

            All papers handed in to me or used for in-class workshops must be word-processed, double spaced, with normal margins and font.

Presentation:

Each student will pick one text or topic to independently research. You may choose to look at some of the cultural or historical background to the text, or some of the criticism on it, or some of the writer’s other work. You will then share your project with the class in a 5-10 minute presentation. Please consult with me on your topic at least a week in advance, and hand in an outline at the time of your presentation. I encourage you to work with another student on your presentation.

Exams (including surprise quizzes) will include both identifications and essays.

Plagiarism: Do your work, and do your own work. If you cheat, you fail. Period.

8/25     Introduction
8/27     Beowulf (23-37)

8/30     Beowulf (37-66)

9/1       Beowulf (66-94)

            response paper

9/6       Labor Day: no class

9/8       Introduction, “Middle English Literature in the 14^th and 15^th Centuries” (8-11)

            Julian of Norwich, “A Book of Showings” (276-82)

9/13     Chaucer, Canterbury Tales, “General Prologue” (176-98: lines 1-42, 717-860)

9/15     Chaucer, Canterbury Tales, “General Prologue” (individual pilgrims)

            response paper

9/20     Introduction, “The 16^th Century” (315-36)

            Wyatt, Surrey (339-44)

9/22     The English Bible (344-47)
 

9/27     Philip Sidney, Astrophil and Stella (444-50)

9/29     Mary (Sidney) Herbert, “To the Angel Spirit of Sir Philip Sidney” (451-54)

            paper 1 due

10/4     Shakespeare, Sonnets (494-504)

10/6     midterm

10/11   Fall Break: no class

10/18   Introduction, “The Early 17^th Century” (577-96)

            Marlowe, Doctor Faustus, scenes 1-6 (458-77)           
10/20   Marlowe, Doctor Faustus, scenes 7-13 (478-91)

10/25   Donne, Songs and Sonnets (599-618)
10/27   Donne, Holy Sonnets (621-25), Meditation 17 (627-28)

            response paper

11/1     Herbert, The Temple (659-66)

11/3     Herrick, “Corinna’s Gone A-Maying,” “To the Virgins” (668-70)
            Philips, “Friendship’s Mystery,” “To Mrs. M. A. at Parting” (675-77)

            Marvell, “To His Coy Mistress” (679-80)

11/8     Milton, Areopagitica (709-19)
11/10   Introduction, “The Restoration and 18^th Century” (855-74)

            Swift, A Modest Proposal (1113-19)

            response paper

11/15   Behn, Oroonoko (916-39)

11/17   Behn, Oroonoko (939-62)

11/22   Swift, “A Description of a City Shower” (966-69)

            paper 2 due

11/24   Thanksgiving: no class

11/29   Pope, The Rape of the Lock, Cantos 1-3 (1134-46)
12/1     Pope, The Rape of the Lock, Cantos 4-5 (1146-53)

12/6     Hogarth, “Marriage a la Mode” (1188-95)

            Johnson, Rambler #4, Rambler #60, Preface to the Dictionary (1242-53)
12/8     Gray, “Elegy Written in Country Churchyard” (1283-87)

            response paper

 
12/ 13  wrap-up