ENGL 385-01, Advanced Topics: England 1819, Fall 2007

Abstract

The course has three primary goals: To enable students to leam about Romantic-era British Literature. In the course of the semester, you will be introduced to a considerable variety of canonical British writers, all of whom had a profound effect on early nineteenth century literary culture. You will be expected to research and absorb any contextual information provided and to read the introductions to each of the texts we consider. Occasionally there may be quizzes to assist you in assimilating this material. To develop skills in the critical analysis of literature, and to evaluate the role and relevancy of historical context. Class periods will be devoted to detailed discussion of the literary works assigned for the day. In some cases, we will only talk about one or two of the poems, or a few lines from a longer work. The goal is for you to practice "close readin1", and for you to be able to apply those techniques to the literature we haaen't explicitly discussed.. A good reader is a reader sensitive to the nuances of written communication, and its relationship to social and historical context. As such, you should be able to understand aspects of literary form as well as the particular contextual meanings of writings. To develop skills in communicating your knowledge of literature. The course includes a number of writings assignments arranged to encourage the development of your critical analysis and research abilities. You will be writing two shorter essays on literary texts, and one extended essay where you bring in outside sources to create argument. As part of that extended essay, you will submit a plan and an annotated bibliography earlier in the semester. The course is open to declared or prospective English majors only.