English 10A-2 - Fall, 2014

Literatures in English I: to 1700

Class Information

Instructor: Vernon, Matthew
CRN: 42370
Time: MWF 10:00-10:50
Location: 229 Wellman

Description

    Hybrids and Adaptations

    The goal of this class is to prepare you for advanced literary study. Over the course of the quarter you will gain some perspective on the development of English literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to 1700. To do so we will be thinking about the ongoing conversation among writers over the course of hundreds of years about the expansion of British power, the adaptation of writing from surrounding countries, the formation of a literary genealogy, and the process of conversion to Christianity. However, underpinning the content of this course is the parallel mission of building the sorts of skills you will need to successfully navigate a humanities major: clarity of written and oral expression, close reading, critical analysis, discussion, collaborative work and management of large reading assignments. The course will be writing and discussion-intensive to help build these abilities.

Grading

    Midterm, Final Exam, Class Discussion, Weekly Questions

Texts

    Poetry of John Donne
    A Midsummer Night’s Dream
    The Faerie Queene
    Mandeville’s Travels
    Egil's Saga
    Poetry of George Herbert
    Topography of Ireland
    Extracts from the Canterbury Tales
    Anglo-Saxon Texts
    Othello
    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight