Literary Survey A: Voices
HU 2503 – R01
MWF 9:05-9:55
Dr. Laura Kasson Fiss
Walker 109
[email protected]
Office: Walker 333
Office Hours: Mondays 10-11:30, Thursdays 12:30-2, and by appointment.
Course Description
This course draws on literature from the medieval period to the mid-nineteenth century from
several national traditions, focusing on Britain and America. Complete coverage of such a large
body of material is impossible, but we will “survey” the expanse, using the theme of “Voices” to
focus our view.
The word “voices” applies to literature in a variety of literal and metaphorical ways, which we
will explore through this course. Literally, many of these texts were first performed orally. Yet
all come down to us though the written word, which invites the questions: how can a voice be
contained in writing? What does it mean to “hear” a written text? What mechanisms have
preserved and disseminated these literatures? Whose voices do we hear, and whose do we not?
As part of this course, we will engage with voices on campus. You will attend a live theater
event at the Rosza; talk about interdisciplinary, multimedia collaboration with the creators of “A
World Without Ice”; and collaborate with a 2-D design class on “giving voice” to the works on
our syllabus. I also encourage you to make use of other campus resources, including the music
performances that will occur throughout the semester.
Course Learning Objectives
This course is keyed to University Learning Goal 4: Creative and Critical Thinking. For more
information, see http://www.mtu.edu/assessment/program/university-learning-goals/. In addition,
this course aims to develop the following subject-based skills:
-
Knowledge of literary history
Formal analysis of literary texts (“close reading”)
Construction of literary arguments in thesis-driven analytical essays
Assignments and Grading:
Grade Breakdown
Paper 1
Paper 2
Collaborative Project
Midterm
Final
Class Participation
15%
15%
20%
15%
20%
15%
Papers: Over the course of the semester, you will write three papers exploring the class theme of
“voices” and building the skills of close reading and critical analysis. In Paper 1, you will use
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different translations of the same text to drive an argument about specific use of language. In
Paper 2, you will use musical settings of a poem to inform a critical analysis of the poem.
Collaborative Project: We will work with FA 2300: 2-D Design on an exhibition to be
installed around campus that “gives voice” to the works from our syllabus. You will work in
teams with the artists, providing critical insights into the poems and into the multi-faceted
concept of “voice.” Collaboration is an open-ended process: we’re not sure where this project
will lead, but it will be fun to find out! You will produce two documents in the course of this
project: a “progress report” at the close of your initial design meetings, in which you will
describe what you plan to do and why, and a guide to your team’s artwork that will explain to the
general public what you’ve done and how it “gives voice” to your text.
Midterm and Final Exams: These exams will assess knowledge of literary history (titles,
authors, periods), skills in close reading and literary terminology, and other material from the
readings and class discussion.
Class Participation
Class is your time to practice the skills assessed in the course, to make sure you’re understanding
what’s unfolding, to experiment, and to have fun. I encourage each of you to speak up every
class, to talk to each other, and to bring up any questions about things that interest or puzzle you.
Please prepare at least one thing to say each class: a question, a passage that interests or puzzles
you, or a comment on the work we’ve read.
Grading System
Letter
Grade
A
AB
B
BC
C
CD
D
F
I
X
Grade
Percentage
points/credit
Rating
93% & above
4.00
Excellent
87% – 92%
3.50
Very good
81% – 86%
3.00
Good
77% – 80%
2.50
Above average
71% – 76%
2.00
Average
65% – 70%
1.50
Below average
60% - 64%
1.00
Inferior
59% and below
0.00
Failure
Incomplete; given only when a student is unable to complete a
segment of the course because of circumstances beyond the
student’s control.
Conditional, with no grade points per credit; given only when the
student is at fault in failing to complete a minor segment of a
course, but in the judgment of the instructor does not need to repeat
the course. It must be made up by the close of the next semester or
the grade becomes a failure (F). A (X) grade is computed into the
grade point average as a (F) grade.
Course Policies
Attendance: Each student is granted three absences for reasons of health, scheduling, and/or
alarm clock malfunctions. (It’s best if you let me know ahead if you plan to use it, but it’s not
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necessary.) Each additional absence will result in a 10% penalty to your participation grade.
Excessive absences will incur an additional penalty. Exceptions to this policy must be mediated
through the Dean of Students Office.
Late Assignments: Papers will be penalized 5% for each 24-hour period that they are late.
Unless otherwise specified, all assignments are due at the beginning of class on the indicated
day, submitted via Canvas. Quizzes and other in-class exercises cannot be made up if they are
missed.
Communication: I will communicate with the class as a whole via Canvas announcement when
I have something I need to say between classes; please make sure your settings are such that you
receive notice of such announcements. Please check your email at least once a day. The best
way to reach me for quick, directed questions is via email; however, I cannot guarantee an
immediate reply, particularly overnight. I am happy to discuss more complicated matters, such
as papers in progress, in person. If you cannot make my office hours, let me know and we can
schedule an appointment. You can also request an appointment during my office hours to be
sure of my availability.
University Policies
Student work products (exams, essays, projects, etc.) may be used for purposes of university,
program, or course assessment. All work used for assessment purposes will not include any
individual student identification. In addition, material related to the collaborative project may be
the subject of a scholarly article. If you would not like your work to be used for this purpose,
please inform me.
Michigan Tech has standard policies on academic misconduct and complies
with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990. For more information about reasonable accommodation for or
equal access to education or services at Michigan Tech, please call the Dean of Students Office,
at (906) 487- 2212 or go to
http://www.mtu.edu/ctl/instructional-resources/syllabus/syllabus_policies.html
Required Texts
Do your best to get these editions. It matters most for the earlier texts; do be sure to get the same
translations of the first two texts.
Books to buy (ordered through bookstore):
Beowulf (Seamus Heaney translation-Norton) ISBN 0393320979
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (W. S. Merwin translation-Knopf) ISBN 0375709924
William Shakespeare, The Tempest (Folger ed) ISBN-13: 978-0-7434-8283-7
Digital text also available:
http://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/?chapter=5&play=Tmp&loc=p7
Horace Walpole, Castle of Otranto (Oxford World’s Classics) ISBN 0199537216
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey (Penguin Classics 235 pp.) ISBN 9780141439792
Full texts online (also posted on Canvas):
John Milton, Comus http://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/comus/text.shtml
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The New England Primer (1803 ed):
http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/NewEnglandPrimerWeb/text.html
William Blake, Songs of Innocence and Experience on The Blake Archive:
http://www.blakearchive.org/exist/blake/archive/copy.xq?copyid=songsie.b&java=no
Additional materials will be posted on the course’s Canvas site
Live performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Aquila Theatre at the Rosza, October 22: Our
discussion of “voices” will be augmented by attendance at a live theater performance. Please put
this on your calendars early. You should be able to gain attendance free through Experience
Tech.
Course Schedule
Week 1
M 1/12 Introduction to course
W 9/2 Beowulf to p. 57 (line 835)
F 9/4 Beowulf to p. 149 (line 2199)
Week 2
M 9/7 No class: Labor Day
W 9/9 Finish Beowulf
F 9/11 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to p. 55
Week 3
M 9/14 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to p. 115
Rosh Hanshana Observed: no class; instead attend Oct. 22 performance
W 9/16 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to end
F 9/18 Hildegard von Bingen, Ordo Virtutum
Week 4
M 9/21 Francesco Petrarca [Petrarch], Rima 189, “Passa la nave”
Rima 190, “Una candida cerva sopra l’erba
Rima 35: “Solo et pensoso”
Rima 265: “Aspro core et selvaggio”
Rima 230: “I’ piansi, or canto”
Thomas Wyatt, “Whoso list to hunt”
“My Galley Chargèd with Forgetfulness”
Edmund Spencer, Amoretti 34, “Like as a ship”
W 9/23 Paper 1 Due
Yom Kipper Observed: no class; instead attend Oct. 22 performance
You may want to attend the “World Without Ice” public lecture Thursday, 9/24 at
7:30pm in the Rozsa
F 9/25 Sir Philip Sidney, Astrophil and Stella 1: “Loving in truth”
William Shakespeare, Sonnet 8: “Music to hear”
Sonnet 42: “That thou hast her, it is not all my grief”
Sonnet 43, “When I most wink”
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Sonnet 73: “That time of year”
Sonnet 130: “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun”
Sonnet 135 : “Whoever hath her wish, thou has thy Will”
Sonnet 138: “When my love swears that she is made of truth”
Sonnet 144: “Two loves I have”
Week 5
M 9/28 “A World Without Ice”—multimedia installation
Before class meets, visit the installation in the McArdle Theatre; it’s open FridayTuesday 10-6pm
Class will meet in the McArdle Theatre; we will discuss interdisciplinary, multimedia
collaboration
W 9/30 William Shakespeare, The Tempest Act 1
F 10/2 The Tempest, Acts 2 & 3
Week 6
M 10/5 The Tempest Acts 4 & 5
W 10/7 John Donne, Holy Sonnets 14: “Batter my heart”
Holy Sonnets 10: “Death be not proud”
“The Flea”
“The Sun Rising”
“The Triple Fool”
“The Legacy”
“The Canonization”
F 10/9 Katherine Philips, “A Married State”
“Upon the Double Murder of King Charles”
“Friendship’s Mystery, To My Dearest Lucasia”
“On the Death of My First and Dearest Child, Hector Philips”
Week 7
M 10/12 Midterm Review
W 10/14 Midterm (in class)
F 10/16 Anne Bradstreet, “The Prologue [To Her Book],”
“The Author to her Book,”
“To My Dear and Loving Husband,”
“Before the Birth of one of her Children,”
“In Memory of My Dear Grandchild Elizabeth Bradstreet, Who Deceased August,
1665, Being a Year and Half Old,”
“On My Dear Grandchild Simon Bradstreet, Who Died on 16 November, 1669,
being but a Month, and One Day Old”
Week 8
M 10/19 John Milton, Comus (online text through Dartmouth)
W 10/21 The New England Primer (online edition through Indiana University Lilly Library)
R 10/22 Romeo and Juliet at the Rozsa: attend this performance
F 10/23 Discuss Romeo and Juliet performance
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Week 9
M 10/26 Paper 2 due
W 10/28 Horace Walpole, The Castle of Otranto to p. 59 (end of Ch. 2)
F 10/30 Finish Otranto
Week 10
M 11/2 Austen, Northanger Abbey to p. 67 (end of Vol. 1, ch. 9)
W 11/4 Northanger Abbey to p. 119 (end of Vol. 1)
F 11/6 Northanger Abbey to p. 162 (end of Vol. 2, Ch. 6)
Week 11
M 11/9 Northanger Abbey to p. 201 (end of Vol. 2, ch. 11)
W 11/11 Northanger Abbey to end
F 11/13 Child ballads (ballads collected by Francis Child)
1: Riddles Wisely Expounded
12A: Lord Rendal
26: The Three Ravens
31: The Marriage of Sir Gawain
54: The Cherry-Tree Carol
56A: Dives and Lazarus
84: Bonny Barbara Allen
278A&B: The Jolly Beggar
Week 12
M 11/16 William Blake, Songs of Innocence and Experience
W 11/18 Progress report for Collaborative Project due
F 11/20 William Wordsworth, “We Are Seven”
“I wandered lonely as a cloud”
“My heart leaps up”
Sonnets: “Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802”
“The world is too much with us”
“London, 1802”
“Ode: Intimations of Immortality”
Thanksgiving Recess: No Class
Week 13
M 11/30 John Keats, “On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer”
“On Sitting Down to Read King Lear Once Again”
“Ode on a Grecian Urn”
“When I have fears that I may cease to be”
“A Song about Myself”
W 12/2 American folk songs and spirituals
“Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Had”
“Deep River”
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“Michael Roll the Boat Ashore”
“Steal Away to Jesus”
“There’s a Meeting Here Tonight”
“Many Thousand Go”
“Go Down Moses”
“Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel”
“John Brown’s Body”
“The Battle Hymn of the Republic”
“The President’s Proclamation”
“Pat Works on the Railway”
“Shenandoah”
“Clementine”
F 12/4 Collaborative Project Due
Week 14
M 12/7 Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Song of Hiawatha”
W 12/9 5 Dickens, “Christmas Carol” (public reading text)
F 12/11 Exam review
Exam Week
Final exam (time determined by the Registrar’s Final Exam Schedule, posted on their website
partway through the semester)
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