English 10B - Winter, 2022

Literatures in English II: 1700-1900

Class Information

Instructor: Ziser, Michael
Time: MWF 10:00-10:50
Location: 250 Olson
GE Areas: Writing Experience

Description

English 10B is the second segment in the required three-part Literatures in English sequence. As in all 10-series courses, our collective goal will be to lay down a solid foundation of historical, terminological, methodological, and pragmatic knowledge in preparation for more advanced study at the upper division. Our focus in this class will be on prose and poetry produced between 1700 and 1900 in England and the United States, with emphasis on the major transitions in English literary history. This is a reading- and writing-intensive course, designed to improve your skills in close reading within a historical context, guide you towards fruitful research strategies, and encourage your curiosity about the vast (if intangible) riches available through literary study.

*Note on texts*: The main texts for this course are previous editions of Norton anthologies. While the current editions of the Norton are extremely expensive, these slightly older editions are practically identical and can be purchased online very cheaply, often for $5-10 shipped if you act in time. Please carefully note the specified editions and ISBN numbers below, and try to avoid purchasing the texts from the UCD Bookstore, which will likely mark them up 200-300%. While we won't come close to covering all the material included in these volumes, they will serve you well in years to come as valuable resources and references, and for English majors they are well worth the modest investment. The remaining three texts have been ordered in their cheapest current editions. For students using Equitable Access, the bookstore will likely substitute the most recent editions of the Norton anthologies. This should present few problems, as the contents are nearly identical.

Grading

Section participation: 10%
Blog posts: 15%
Short Exercises: (5 x 3%): 15%
Paper 1: 20%
Paper 2: 20%
Final Exam: 20%

Texts

Charlotte Temple, Susanna Rowson
Norton Anthology of American Literature, volume B: 1820-1865, 7th edition, ISBN: 0393927407
Norton Anthology of English Literature, volume E: The Victorian Age, 8th edition, ISBN: 0393927210
Norton Anthology of English Literature, volume D: The Romantic Period, 8th edition, ISBN: 0393927202
Norton Anthology of English Literature, volume C: The Restoration and 18th Century, 8th edition, ISBN: 0393927199
Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe
Autobiography and Other Writings, Benjamin Franklin