English 10A-2 - Winter, 2016

Literatures in English I: to 1700

Class Information

Instructor: Crachiolo, Elizabeth
CRN: 22613
Time: MWF 11:00-11:50
Location: 116 VMeyer

Description

This reading- and writing-intensive course introduces students to the study of literatures in English before 1700. Over the quarter, we will examine a range of texts to consider how the English literary landscape reflected, shaped, and even challenged historical, social, and cultural understandings in England and abroad. Topics will include the development of the English language; generic emergence, appropriation, and experimentation; shifting conceptions of love, technology, nationalism, religion, economics, gender, sexuality, and politics; and Colonial America’s role in generating new possibilities for literary production and consumption. By the end of the course, students will have acquired 1) a knowledge of key writers, genres, and historical events from the period; 2) an appreciation of the complex ways that literature engages social/cultural matters; and 3) the confidence to participate in the advanced study of literature—including the ability to effectively express nuanced interpretations in writing and contribute to critical discussions through extensive research.

A note on the textbooks: I realize that the Norton anthologies are very expensive. If you're planning to pursue English study in any serious capacity, it would be useful for you to have the most updated version (the 9th ed., which is what I have ordered for the bookstore). However, if for whatever reason you'd like to save some money on this required text, feel free to order the 8th edition, which contains mostly the same material and will be significantly cheaper. If you do go this route, note that you'll need to order the book on your own with enough time to receive it before the start of winter quarter. You'll need the entire Vol. 1 OR volumes A, B, and C (which include the same texts as Vol. 1, but broken up into separate volumes).

If you decide to go with the 9th ed., you have the option of purchasing Vol. 1 (which I've ordered for the bookstore) or buying volumes A, B, and C on your own. While we would never be able to cover all the material in this text (whether 8th or 9th ed.), it will serve as our sole source of literary readings for the quarter, and it will be a valuable resource for years to come.

Grading

Quizzes and Participation 10%
Commonplace Book Project 10%
OED/MED Exercise 15%
Close Reading Paper 20%
Research Paper 25%
Final Exam 20%

Texts

*Twelfth Night: Language and Writing (978-1408171745), Frances E. Dolan
*Norton Anthology of English Literature, 9th ed., Vol. 1. (978-0393912470), ed. M.H. Abrams et al.