Student Learning Goals: At the completion of this course you should be able
to
--read British literature from the Restoration and early 18th century with
careful attention and recognize its literary techniques;
--understand better how authors and readers create meaning in Restoration and
early 18th century texts;
--understand aspects of genres such as satire, comedy, fiction, and the periodical
essay;
--understand better the relationship of this literature to such historical
and cultural topics as gender, class, and the literary marketplace.
--demonstrate ability to write and speak clearly and effectively about this
literature and to improve writing and speaking following constructive feedback.
Textbooks
Damrosch, ed. The Longman Anthology of British Literature, Volume 1C: The
Restoration and the Eighteenth Century, 2nd edition (Longman)
Behn, The Rover (Broadview)
Swift, Gulliver’s Travels (Penguin)
Assignments for class discussion
The Restoration (1660-1700)
Aug. 15 Introductions
Aug. 17 Pepys, “Coronation Day” from The Diary; Dryden, Absalom
and Achitophel (ll. 1-84); Rochester, “Against Constancy”
Aug. 22 Rochester, “The Imperfect Enjoyment,” “The Disabled
Debauchee”; Behn, “The Disappointment,” “To Lysander
on Some Verses He Writ”
Aug. 24 Rochester, A Satyr Against Reason and Mankind
Aug. 29, 31 Wycherley, The Country Wife; presentations
Sept. 7, 12 Behn, The Rover; presentations
Sept. 14, 19 Behn, Oroonoko; presentations
Sept. 21 Dryden, MacFlecknoe, Alexander’s Feast
Sept. 26 First Exam (on the Restoration)
The Early Eighteenth Century (1700-1745)
Sept. 28 Steele & Addison, selections from The Spectator (no. 1, 10, 11,
69, 126; handouts–no. 2, 41, 411, 435)
Oct. 3 Astell, selections from Some Reflections upon Marriage
Oct. 5, 12 Pope, The Rape of the Lock; presentations
Oct. 17 Finch, “Introduction,” “Friendship Between Ephelia
and Ardelia,” “The Nocturnal
Reverie”; handouts–“The Unequal Fetters,” “A
Letter to Daphnis”; presentations
Oct. 19 Pope, Eloisa to Abelard; presentations
Oct. 24 Montagu, selections from Turkish Embassy Letters; “The Lover:
A Ballad,” “Epistle from Mrs. Yonge to Her Husband”; presentations
Oct. 26 Swift, “A Description of a City Shower,” “The Lady’s
Dressing Room,” handout– “A Beautiful Young Nymph Going to
Bed”; Montagu, “The Reasons that Induced Dr. S. to write a Poem
. . .”; presentations
Oct. 31,
Nov. 2, 7,9 Swift, Gulliver’s Travels (read one part for each class meeting);
presentations
Nov. 14 Presentations
Nov. 16, 21 Gay, The Beggar’s Opera
Nov. 28 Pope, selections from The Dunciad; presentations
Nov. 30 Presentations
Dec. 5 Second exam (on the Early Eighteenth Century)
Speaking Requirements/Participation: This is a speaking-intensive course.
Informal: We expect your regular attendance and your active participation in
class discussion; more than three absences will lower this part of your grade.
We expect you to arrive for class on time and to remain for 75 minutes. Please
turn off your cell phone.
We will occasionally ask you to divide into small groups to discuss aspects
of texts. We will also ask you to read from texts. We expect you to discuss
each others’ talks.
Formal Presentations: You will make two brief presentations, about five minutes
each. For the first one (beginning two weeks into the semester through mid-October),
you will read a brief portion of a text and offer an analysis of the significance
of the passage or its cultural contexts. For the second presentation (in November),
you will have a more flexible assignment; we will provide instructions later.
Please turn in an outline or notes after each presentation.
Examinations: There will be two types of questions on each exam--quotations to identify and discuss and short answer questions. These two exams are designed to demonstrate your knowledge of the texts in each part of the course.
Essays: You will write an essay related to each part of the course. The first will be a take-home essay in conjunction with the first exam; it will be due before Fall Break. The second will be a critical essay comparing aspects of two or three texts; it will be due by Reading Day, December 6. We will give you instructions later.
Academic Integrity Policy: You should be familiar with this UNCG policy, especially as it concerns cheating, plagiarism, and appropriate penalties. We expect you to include and sign this statement on papers and examinations: I have abided by the Academic Integrity Policy on this assignment.
Course grade: Exams, 33%; essays, 33%; speaking requirements, 34%.