English: British Literature I

Selected texts from the beginnings to the late 18th century. Explores periodization, genre, key terms and concepts through close reading and critical analysis. Fulfills major requirements; open to non-majors.

Open to degree and PACE students

This course is a historical survey of British literature, in which we’ll read some of the most famous and best loved texts that were written in England from the very beginning of the English literary tradition more than a millennium ago to the late 18th century. British Literature II picks up where our course leaves off, at the historical transition into the literary movement known as Romanticism, so it is our responsibility this semester to read and learn about literature written in all the periods that precede that: Anglo-Saxon England, the later Middle Ages, the Renaissance and early 17th century, and the Restoration and 18th century (this is no small task, as the historical parameters of the course and the authors we will read span 1,000 years!). The selected texts provide an overview of the vast changes in English literature and culture that occurred over this period, a good orientation to the diversity of medieval and early modern genres, and a lot of extremely rewarding reading. Through supplementary reading and discussion we’ll also learn about the various historical contexts that nurtured the development of this literature. Learning objectives: In this course you will —gain familiarity with and appreciation for a range of texts, authors, and genres in English literature written prior to the dawn of Romanticism [AH1: Learning Objectives 1, 2, and 3] —develop critical perspectives from which to study these texts [AH1: Learning Objectives 1 and 3] —learn to situate them in relation to their historical contexts [AH1: Learning Objective 3] —develop skills at close reading and literary analysis [AH1: Learning Objective 1] —practice the use of textual evidence to support argumentative claims [AH1: Learning Objective 1] —improve your participatory skills in a seminar setting (in this case, the small-class, synchronous-learning environment)

Regular attendance, regular reading and writing outside class, participation in class discussions.

Assessment will be based on regularity and quality of class participation and quality of work submitted. There will be a take-home midterm and a final paper.