Greenville College
English 344, British Literature before 1800

 

Required Texts:

Black, Joseph, Ed. The Broadview Anthology of British Literature. Volume 1, The Medieval Period. Peterborough, Ontario, Canada: Broadview Press, 2006. ISBN: 1-55111-609-X.

Black, Joseph, Ed. The Broadview Anthology of British Literature. Vol. 2, The Renaissance and the Early Seventeenth Century. Peterborough, Ont., CAN: Broadview Press, 2006. ISBN: 1-55111-610-3.

Black, Joseph, Ed. The Broadview Anthology of British Literature. Vol. 3, The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century. Peterborough, Ont., CAN: Broadview Press, 2006. ISBN: 1-55111-611-1.

Gardner, John Champlin.  Grendel.  New York:  Vintage Books, 1989.   ISBN:  0-679-72311-0.

 

Course Objectives:

 This course will enable students to--

 

1. develop a working knowledge of British history and literature from approximately AD 500 to 1800.  (IO A 1, 2; ELAO  1, 4, 11, 12; TEO 1)

2. name some of the important works and some ofthe major British authors from 500 to 1800. (IO A 1,2; ELAO 11; TEO 1)

3. understand, describe, and compare the characteristics of each major genre represented during this time.  (IO A 1,2; ELAO 10; TEO 1)

4. identify and discuss the sub-genres within each of the major genres (i.e., for poetry--epic, lyric, elegy, sonnet, etc.).  (IO A 1,2; ELAO 11; TEO 1)

5. understand, describe, and compare the cultural characteristics of the major literary ages or periods of the time—heroic, courtly, Renaissance, “Metaphysical, etc.  (IO A 1,2 B 4 C8; ELAO  11; TEO 1)

6. discuss the similarities and differences between various writers and their literary works.  (IO A 1,2; ELAO 1, 10, 11, 12; TEO 1, 5)

7. know the devices and functions of the literary language employed in those literary modes.  (IO A 1,2 C 8; ELAO 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11; TEO 1)

8. read closely an unfamiliar literary text of varying difficulty with good comprehension of its cultural context, its literary and language techniques, its structural characteristics, and its themes.  (IO A 2 B 5, 6 C 8; ELAO 1, 5; TEO 1, 5 )

9. value literary analysis, research of secondary sources, and the discussion of ideas as worthy pursuits in and of themselves.  (IO A 1,2 C 8; ELAO 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12; TEO 1, 5, 9)

10. judge the artistic significance of writings (including both their communication of meaningful human concerns as well as literary merit).  (IO A 2; ELAO 1, 5, 18; TEO 1)

11. examine and, hopefully, enhance their understanding of, expression of, and hope in their own Christian faith as they listen to other witnesses, some Christian and some not.  (IO A 1,2 C 7, 8, 9; ELAO 1, 18, 19; TEO 11)

12. find the resonance between humanity as expressed in great literature and their own human condition.  (IO A 1,2 C 7, 9; ELAO 1, 18, 19; TEO 11)

 

Assessment Activities:

 

1. Objectives 1 – 12 are assessed through daily, in-class discussion, online Blackboard discussions, quizzes, impromptu in-class essays, short papers, and two essay tests.

2. Objectives 8 – 10 are assessed through successful completion of a 10 – 15 page research paper on some area of special interest of the student’s own choice.

Additional Information:

For information regarding the College’s—and MY—policies about writing standards, portfolios, and academic honesty (plagiarism), go to the College website at http://www.greenville.edu/academics/aa/assessment/syllabi/texts.shtml#writing .

 

Attendance Policy:

You can best meet the course objectives by attending and participating in class. We cannot share information and views if you are not here. Your education depends not only on your compliance with reading a certain number of pages or turning in a stipulated number of papers; it also depends on the interaction between your voice and others' voices. Thus, I will allot 2 points toward an "attendance grade" for each MWF class session and 3 for each TR session.  So, for example, if we were to meet 3 times a week for 15 weeks, your total possible points would be 90, which would about equal a test grade.  If we were to meet 2 times a week for 15 weeks, your total possible points would still be 90.  Of course, the total will actually be just a bit less than that, because we will dismiss class on some occasions for research, etc.  Whenever you are not in class, you will not earn the points.

All athletes are excused for all games.  See me about your makeup work ahead of time.  Don't expect absences on top of your games; save your absences for your games.

 ***As far as tardiness is concerned, I do not intend to play that game.  If you are repeatedly late, I'll just start counting you absent.

Grading Criteria:

I designate a certain number of points to every assignment I grade, fewer points for daily assignments or quizzes and more points for major papers. Your grade will be based on the percentage you earn of the total number of points possible. The percentages will be as follows: 90% = A; 80% = B; 70% = C; 60% = D; less than 60% = F. Thus, for example, if you earn 8 points out of a possible 10 on a quiz, you have 80%, or a B-.

Your grade for this course depends on your performance on periodic reading quizzes, in-class impromptu essays, Blackboard discussions, expository essays, unit tests, and a research paper.

As far as your major essays go, after several readings, I determine a "letter" grade for your paper. This grade reflects

Once I decide your letter grade, I assign your paper a number of points to reflect the "percentage" your letter grade represents. Please remember that, while I always deeply appreciate your effort and value your humanity as a good person, I cannot grade those things. All I can really grade is your performance.

***While I cannot realistically assign a certain percentage worth to your class participation, that factor is always important.

Late Papers:

Papers are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on their deadline date, unless otherwise indicated.

Study Time Expectations:

College students should, realistically, expect to spend two hours outside of class for every hour they spend in class.  Frankly, when you have a test to study for or a research paper to complete, it will take you more time than that.  

 

 

Tentative Assignment Schedule:

Week 1 (August 30)—

Week 2 (September 4)—

Week 3 (September 11)—

Week 4 (September 18)—

Week 5 (September 25)—

Week 6 (October 2)—

Week 7 (October 9)—

Week 8 (October 16)—

Week 9 (October 23)—

Week 10 (October 30)—It is here that we will move to Volume 2, The Renaissance and the Early Seventeenth Century.

Week 11 (November 6)—

Week 12 (November 13)—

Week 13 (November 20)—

Week 14 (November 27)—

Week 15 (December 4)—

Week 16 (December 11)--