THE NINETEENTH-CENTURY BRITISH NOVEL (ENGL. 369) Dr. Helen Bittel
Course Objectives
In this course, we will:
Gain familiarity with some of the major British
novelists of the nineteenth century---particularly those
working during the Victorian period (1840-1900)---and
with the historical development of the novel as a
genre.
Increase our understanding of the complex ways in
which these novels engaged with, reflected and shaped
their historical, literary, and cultural contexts. We
will be especially concerned with the ways that they
address issues like class structure, gender roles,
nationalism, and imperialism and explore changing ideas
about (moral, social, and academic) education.
Become more sensitive and critical readers, alert to
the nuances of the texts, the literary devices they
employ, the assumptions they make, and the questions they
both pose to and raise for their readers.
Become more adept at both writing literary analysis
and at evaluating and using the print and web-based
resources available to literature students.
Identify and reflect upon some of the ways that these
novels---though produced during an era rather different
from our own---continue to speak to readers today and
offer us insight into the workings of our own
culture.
Course Texts: I have placed orders for the following texts at the
College Bookstore; please plan to use these editions, as
they contain special, supplemental materials.
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice.
Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre.
Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations.
Eliot, George. Silas Marner.
Hardy, Thomas. Jude the Obscure.
Stoker, Bram. Dracula.
Attendance:
I will circulate an attendance sheet during each class
session. You will be marked absent if you do not sign. If
for some reason the sheet misses your row, please see me
immediately after class. Your final grade will be reduced
one-third of a letter grade for each absence beyond three;
after five absences you will need to choose between
withdrawing and failing the course. NCAA Athletes should
speak with me early in the semester.
Please note that the easiest way to learn of snow
cancellations is to phone 961-4SNO and listen to the
recorded message.
After each class, I put extra handouts in a file folder
on my door. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to
pick up any handouts you may have missed prior to the next
class meeting.
Participation:
The success of a discussion class depends upon the regular,
active, and meaningful participation of each member. At two
points in the semester, you will be asked to assess your own
contributions, using a rubric I will distribute. I will then
read your responses and assign a participation score.
The classroom is a formal environment dedicated to
learning; students are expected to behave in a courteous and
respectful manner.
Preparation:
Our general reading schedule is outlined below. Make a habit
of reading carefully and actively, taking notes on passages
you find significant, delving beneath the surface (i.e.
beyond the basics of plot, character and setting) and
writing down any questions you may have about the material.
Don't neglect the footnotes!! I usually open each class by
inviting you to share your questions and answers; if you are
uncomfortable speaking in front of the group, feel free to
write your contribution on a piece of paper and hand it to
me at the beginning of class.
Nineteenth-century novels are---almost by
definition---LONG, so it is absolutely critical to break
reading assignments into manageable chunks and budget your
study time wisely. I can't emphasize enough how important it
is to keep up with the reading schedule. The further behind
you fall, the more difficult it is to catch up. Moreover,
research shows that students' familiarity with the materials
discussed in their classes significantly effects how well
they are able to follow and remember in-class
conversations.
Assignments:
Your grade for the course will be based on a number of
frequent, short assignments rather than a few "major"
assignments. These include journal entries, short papers,
and the production of one 5-6p formal paper.
You will be writing two journal entries for each novel,
one on the first day that we discuss it and another on the
last day. Your written responses may be relatively informal
but should address specific questions about the novel, which
I will provide. Feel free to write entries in your regular
course notebook; I will not be collecting these but will
spot-check them in class to be sure that you have completed
them.
The six short papers include a summary of a critical
article (chosen by me), a summary of secondary historical
material (chosen by me), an evaluation of four websites
(chosen by you), a set of essay prompts suitable for
college-student writers, and two short analytical papers (on
topics chosen by you). You will complete one assignment in
relation to each of the six novels; I will assign specific
projects and deadlines to you individually, so that we can
"rotate" tasks effectively. With advance permission, you may
substitute a second summary of a critical article for one of
the two short papers; this option may prove especially
useful for those considering graduate study. Let me know by
the second class if you'd like to pursue this.
The 5-6p formal paper will be due at the end of the
semester; it must be analytical in nature rather than
informational (i.e. you must make an argument and support it
with textual evidence). You need not work with outside
sources, though you may choose to do so. In conjunction with
this assignment, you will be required to submit a short
written proposal, to bring several copies of your draft to
class prior to the deadline for workshopping, and to provide
written feedback on drafts written by two of your
classmates.
Be sure to submit each assignment on time!! Late work
must be submitted by the class meeting following the due
date and will be docked 20%. Proofread your papers
thoroughly, since careless work will be returned to you
ungraded and will be counted late when it is resubmitted
A word to the wise:
Be sure to save your files frequently, back them up on disk
(don't rely on your hard drive, especially if you're working
at a public workstation), and print out a hard copy at the
end of each writing session.
Use common sense in formatting and submitting your work.
Choose legible and reasonable fonts and margins,
approximately 250-300 words/page. If you refer to outside
sources in your paper, please use MLA documentation form
(internal citations and a works cited list) to acknowledge
these sources. If you don't own a style manual, guidelines
can be found on line at www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/humanities/list.html.
A word about plagiarism:
Plagiarism occurs whenever you borrow someone else's words
or ideas without giving credit to that source, even if you
do so inadvertently. If you are charged with plagiarism you
may fail the course and/or face disciplinary action. Please
consult a style manual or speak with me if you need
clarification on this point.
E-mail:
I frequently distribute course handouts by e-mail, so plan
to check your account regularly. If you do not have an
account but would like to get one through Marywood, please
speak with me ASAP; if your account cannot open attachments
or if using e-mail presents a hardship, please let me know
and I will be happy to provide you with print copies.
Grading:
Grades will be determined by adding the number of points
earned for each assignment. Please bear in mind that the
grading scale does not reflect a percentage system but
corresponds to the holistic scoring rubrics I have developed
for each task. Maximum point values for each assignment are
outlined below:
Journal entries 12 @ 3 pts each
Short writing assignments 6 @ 16 pts each
Paper proposal and draft comments 2 @ 4 pts
each
Participation assessments 2 @ 10 pts each
Final paper (5-6p) 1 @ 40 pts
Total 200 points
Grading scale:
191-200 A
84-100 C
174-190 A+
67-83 C-
157-173 B+
50-66 D+
139-156 B
33-49 D
120-138 B-
below 33 E
101-119 C+
Resources:
Disability Support:
A student with a disability may request an adjustment in
meeting the requirements of this class. Please see Mr.
Christopher Moy, Coordinator of Disability Services, LAC
220B (340-6045 ext. 2549).
The Writing Center:
The Writing Center is located in the Academic Excellence
Center in LAC 203 (340-6045). Tutors can assist you with
both your technical/grammatical and more general writing
concerns, though they are not a proofreading service.
Course Schedule:
WEEK 1
Introduction to the course
Review of 19th-century British literature and
history. Read handout on "The Victorian Age" (Henderson
and Sharp)
WEEK 2
Web-resources for students of 19th-century British
literature. Meet in LRC 160. No reading, but use the time
to begin working on Pride and Prejudice.
Pride and Prejudice introduction (p. 9-35) and Vol.
1: Ch. 1-14 (p.43-103)
Journal entry #1 due
WEEK 3
Pride and Prejudice Vol. 1: Ch.15 - Vol. 2: Ch. 7
(p.104-196)
Pride and Prejudice Vol. 2: Ch. 8 - Vol. 3: Ch. 4
(p.196-290)
WEEK 4
Pride and Prejudice Vol. 3: Ch. 5-19 (p.
291-385)
Journal entry #2 due
Jane Eyre introduction (p. 9-49) and Ch. 1-9 (p.
63-148)
Journal entry #3 due
WEEK 5
Jane Eyre Ch. 10-19 (p.149-286)
Jane Eyre Ch. 20-27 (p.287-413)
WEEK 6
Jane Eyre Ch. 28-38 (p.414-556)
Journal entry #4 due
WEEK 7
Silas Marner chapters
Journal entry #5 due
WEEK 8
Silas Marner chapters
Silas Marner chapters
Journal entry #6 due
WEEK 9
Great Expectations introduction (p.7-27) and Vol. 1:
Ch. 1-13 (p. 39-140)
Jude the Obscure introduction (p. 7-30), prefaces (p.
37-42), and Part First (p. 45-110)
Journal entry #9 due
Jude the Obscure Part Second and Part Third Ch. 1-8
(p. 111-217)
WEEK 12
Jude the Obscure Part Third Ch. 9-10, Part Fourth,
and Part Fifth Ch. 1-5 (p. 217-327)
Jude the Obscure Part Fifth Ch. 6-8, Part Sixth (p.
328-436)
Journal entry #10 due
WEEK 13
Dracula introduction and Ch.1-6
Journal entry #11 due
Short (1/2-1p) essay proposal due
WEEK 14
Dracula Ch. 7-13
Dracula Ch. 14-20
WEEK 15
Dracula Ch. 20-27
Journal entry #2 due
Bring 2-3 copies of your draft in progress to
class
WEEK 16
In-class writing workshop
Come prepared with written comments for two group
members
WEEK 17
Study day OR snow day. If we have a snow cancellation
on a Tuesday or Thursday during the semester, ENGL 369
will meet today. Keep your schedule open and stay
tuned!!
