ENGL 328: British Novel 2

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Course Goals

      This course aims to introduce you to a diverse range of Victorian novelists and their works. We will read some fine examples of genres such as domestic realism, social satire, industrial problem, sensation, pastoral tragedy, and imperial quest. The novels on the syllabus will give us a chance to explore distinct styles and perspectives on broad intellectual, artistic, and social trends of the period. We will consider how they reflect and question prevailing Victorian attitudes about gender roles, the class hierarchy, the composition of mind, the English nation and its imperial power, and the purpose and form of the novel itself.

Attendance

      Attendance is mandatory. Every absence after the third one will lower your grade one “notch” (e.g., from B+ to B). I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. If you arrive after class has begun, I will count it as a half-class absence. You are responsible for keeping track of the number of classes you have missed and for information covered and assignments due on days you are absent. I expect to be able to reach you through your official college email account.

Assignments & Grade Distribution

Essays. The course requires three short essays (about 5 pages), each designed to help you develop a crucial aspect of literary analysis and research. Essay #1 (15%) requires explication of a short passage. Essay #2 (17.5%) involves detailed historical research. Essay #3 (17.5%) asks you to discover and summarize a critical debate or discussion about the novel at hand. All essays must be typed (double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12-point type) and conform to MLA citation guidelines. I will consider extension requests submitted by the class preceding the due date. Late essays will receive a lower grade.

Class Reports (10%). Each of you will present to the class the critical debate or discussion that you research for Essay #3.

Exams. There will be a final exam (20%).

Reading Quizzes (10%). Class discussion depends on keeping up with the reading, and I will give frequent unannounced quizzes to encourage you to do so.

Participation (10%). It is essential that you come to class with your text, having completed the assigned reading, and prepared for active analysis.

Plagiarism

If you intentionally incorporate another writer’s words or ideas into your essay without proper citation, you will fail this course. See the Student Handbook (available online at

www.cofc.edu/studentaffairs/general_info/studenthandbook.html) for a standard definition of plagiarism.

Required Texts

Schedule of Readings and Assignments