English 46B


English 46B is a transfer-level course that surveys major British writers from the Neoclassical and Romantic Periods.

Course Description:

This course surveys English Literature by major authors from the 18th century to the mid-19th century, the Romantic Period. Any course that attempts to do something like this in twelve weeks necessarily leaves out more than it includes. Bear in mind that the shape of English Literature from this period that this course will convey to you is, to a certain extent, a fiction constructed by the instructor. Accordingly, throughout the quarter we will go back to this issue and consider what a "canon" is, what forces determine its shape, and what the ideological implications are choosing a group of writers over another group. While this course studies individual authors and texts, its primary purpose is to present an overview of English Literature and to consider the various works and authors as a part of a changing body of literature. We will be reading representative fiction, poetry and essays of these writers in an attempt to understand the kind of writers they are as well as what makes them "major." We will also read them as the "major" writers of their time, exploring the ways they represent and reflect "Neoclassical" and "Romantic" periods of English literary history.

Required Texts:

Abrams, et al., The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors, 9th edition, Volumes C and D.

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (online text available)

Jane Austen, Persuasion (online text available)

Course Requirements:

This class will require approximately 7650 words of graded writing including in-class writing and formal assignments.

  • Formal Writing--Essays and Exams: You have a choice of writing either a longer essay of at least 7 pages (1925 words) or two shorter essays of at least 3 pages (825 words). The midterm covers the material of the first six weeks and includes two parts, an identification and analysis of passages to be done in-class and 2 essay questions to be done at home. The final exam covers the material of the last six weeks and consists of an identification and analysis of passages and essay questions. To pass this course, you must complete all writing assignments. Failure to do so will jeopardize your status in the class. All assigned essays must be completed on time. Late essays will be penalized with loss of points. You will submit your essays electronically on our Catalyst course site and on Turnitin.com. Instances of plagiarism will not be tolerated. You will receive a zero for the assignment if you plagiarize. You may fail the course if you do not do your own work.
  • Informal Writing--Online Reader Response Assignments (online forum discussion): Each week you will be asked to write a response to questions and/or prompts on the readings assigned up to that point. At the end of the week, you are to post your response on the class website and by the beginning of the next week, you are to respond to someone’s post. Both your post and your response to someone’s post are to be at least 250 words each. Why am I asking you to do this? In order to make writing in response to literature an integral part of your reading, to provide practice and material for your formal writing assignments, and to prepare you for class discussion. To access the class website go to the address below and follow the instructions for first login.
  • Attendance/Participation/Quizzes: Nearly every class period will involve discussing the assigned texts. You will participate in small groups and with the class as a whole. Careful reading and preparation is crucial as brief objective quizzes will be given on a daily basis, and I will call on you often to respond and discuss. Being ready for each class can significantly improve your grade in this course. You are allowed four absences for any and all personal reasons; if additional absences occur, you may be dropped from the course. Over-the-limit absences occurring after the last possible drop date will lower your course grade. This is important: if you have any kind of emergency affecting your attendance or involvement in this course you must see me about it, before if possible. You are responsible for whatever occurs in class even if you are absent, so maintain contact with your peers via the class website.

Grading:

2 essay option: 3-5 page critical analysis x 2 (2x12.5%)
1 essay option: 7-10 page critical analysis (25%)

Midterm (20%)
Reader response assignments on the course site, quizzes, participation, and attendance (30%)
Final exam (25%)

Grading Scale:A=93+; A-=90-92; B+=87-89; B=83-86; B-=80-82; C+=77-79; C=70-76; D=60+; F=below 60

Back to Top