Engl. 3020.03
Fall Term 2016
English Drama: 1660-1800
David McNeil, 3193 McCain
[email protected]
TR 2:35-3:55 pm
McCain 2162
Office Hours: MW 2:30-3:30 pm, T 4:00-5:00 pm (or by appointment)
(special “Collaborate” sessions may be set up on Brightspace; see below)
'Gad, I go to a play as to a country treat; I carry my own
wine to one, and my own wit to t'other, or else I'm sure I
should not be merry at either. And the reason why we are so
often louder than the players is because we think we speak
more wit, and so become the poet's rivals in his audience; for
to tell you the truth, we hate the silly rogues, nay, so much
that we find fault even with their bawdy upon the stage,
whilst we talk nothing else in the pit as loud.
Sparkish The Country Wife
Description:
This half-year class will survey English drama from the Restoration to the end of the eighteenthcentury. While the approach is literary, we will mark the social and cultural importance of the
theatre in London from the bawdy Restoration playhouse to the sentimental performances of the
eighteenth century. In addition to examining a selection of the most significant plays, we will
take note of the various stage-developments, trends and the famous actors of the period.
After a number of years of Puritan suppression, English drama seemed to surge forth-actresses made their debut, so did moveable scenery, so did artificial lighting. The theatres easily
survived the plague of 1665, the fears of a Popish plot a few decades later, and Jeremy Collier’s
attack on what he thought was its licentious content. English drama was a prominent cultural
space for popular amusement and edification. It was where genteel, and not-so-genteel, folk went
to see and be seen. In addition to the perennial favourites, the comedy of manners and the farce,
there was heroic tragedy, "she" tragedy, and domestic tragedy. There was sentimental comedy
and laughing comedy. There were Shakespearian adaptations and adaptations of novels (e.g.,
Oroonoko). Those who couldn’t see productions read print versions, but "the play" was the thing.
Format: Lecture/discussion
Prerequisites: 6-credit hours of First-Year English (Engl. 1000 or any two of Engl., 1010, 1020,
1040, 1150, 1100)
English Drama: 1660-1800
Note on Email Communication:
Email is an authorized means of communication for academic and administrative purposes
within Dalhousie. The University will assign all students an official email address. This address
will remain in effect while the student remains a student and for one academic term following a
student's last registration. This is the only email address that will be used for communication with
students regarding all academic and administrative matters. Any redirection of email will be at
the student's own risk. Each student is expected to check her or his official email address
frequently in order to stay current with Dalhousie communications.
This policy is found in the University Regulations portion of the University Calendar at
http://academiccalendar.dal.ca/Catalog/ViewCatalog.aspx?pageid=viewcatalog&catalogid=1&ch
apterid=89&topicgroupid=376&loaduseredits=False
Texts:
The Broadview Anthology of Restoration and Early Eighteenth-Century Plays. Concise Edition.
Online Texts and the Eighteenth-Century Collections Online (ECCO) will also be used.
(Dalhouise may also have trial-access to the online resource Eighteenth Century Drama:
Censorship, Society and the Stage)
Method of Evaluation:
Class Participation (includes attendance, inclass participation and “Discussion” postings
beyond the four required ones)
10%
Four Required “Discussion” Postings
20% Brightspace
Essay I - Comedies (due Oct. 11th)
20% Brightspace
Essay II - Tragedies (due Nov. 15th)
20% Brightspace
Final (TBA Dec. 8-18)
30%
Brightspace:
This class utilizes Brightspace to facilitate the use of digital resources (e.g., “Discussion” board,
“Assignments,” “Content,” and “Collaborate”). Postings, beyond those required (see below),
made to the “Discussion” board will be considered for class participation.
Recording Classes:
Pending the permission of students, the instructor will record all classes except for the guest
lecturer on Sept. 13th. These recordings will be made available to students in MP4 (audio and
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English Drama: 1660-1800
screen capture) and MP3 (audio only) formats via Brightspace. Students will also be given
access to an archive of previous recordings. These are not intended to replace class attendance
(see next item) but to assist students who have to miss a class periodically.
Class Participation (10%):
Students are expected to have read the assigned material before coming to class. Your class
participation grade will be based on attendance, actual participation in class, and any activity on
Brightspace that contributes to the class (e.g., extra “Discussion” postings). If you have to miss
a class, please do not send the instructor an e-mail. It is never “okay” to miss class, but if you
do I will assume that you have a good reason. You can always access the class recording once it
is posted. To receive credit for “attendance” you must contribute a thoughtful comment or
observation on the “Discussion” board of Brightspace (see below) within 24 hours of the class
meeting. If you miss more than 4 classes you cannot expect to achieve more than a 5 on 10.
Required Brightspace “Discussion” Postings (20%):
Students are required to respond to four “Discussion” topics or “threads” (20%) which must be
submitted one day before the last class that the play in question is discussed in class (e.g., Sep.
12th for a posting on The Country Wife, Sep. 19th for The Man of Mode, etc.). Please be
thoughtful and use standard written English. The content may overlap with the two essays, but
please do not just cut and paste from your essay draft. Late postings will not be considered. You
may make more than one “post” to a topic (i.e., rebuttal, follow-up clarification, elaboration), and
you are encouraged to post to all topics; however, only your top four grades will count.
Essays (2 x 20% = 40%):
You are required to write two essays (see Brightspace for options), one on a selection of
comedies, another on a selection of tragedies. One grade level (e.g., B to B-) will be deducted
for each day overdue. Essays have to be submitted electronically to Brightspace (no hardcopies
please).
Exam (30%):
The final examination will be scheduled in the regular examination period (Dec. 6-17th) and you
must be present to write it. It will cover all of the plays studied during the term.
Tentative Schedule (check Brightspace “Calendar” for updates):
Sept. 6
“
8
“
“
13
15
Introduction
William Wycherley, The Country Wife (1675) comedy
William Wycherley, The Country Wife (1675) Guest Lecturer: Ron Huebert
Film Showing – Stage Beauty
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English Drama: 1660-1800
“
19
“
“
20
22
Last day for late registration
Last day for a complete refund
George Etherege, The Man of Mode (1676) comedy
George Etherege, The Man of Mode (1676)
“
“
27
29
Aphra Behn, The Rover (1677) comedy
Aphra Behn, The Rover (1677)
Oct.
“
“
4
6
7
John Dryden, All for Love (1677) tragedy
John Dryden, All for Love (1677)
Last day to drop X/Y classes without a "W"
“
11
“
13
Thomas Otway, Venice Preserved (1682) tragedy
Essay #1 Due
Thomas Otway, Venice Preserved (1682)
“
“
18
20
George Lillo, The London Merchant (1731) tragedy
George Lillo, The London Merchant (1731)
“
“
25
27
Richard Steele, The Conscious Lovers (1722) comedy
Richard Steele, The Conscious Lovers (1722)
Nov.
“
1
3
John Gay, The Beggar’s Opera (1728) musical comedy
John Gay, The Beggar’s Opera (1728)
“
“
8
10
Fall Study Break: No Classes
Fall Study Break: No Classes
“
“
14
15
“
17
Last day to drop Fall class with a "W"
Susanna Centlivre, Bold Strike for a Wife (1718) comedy
Essay #2 Due
Susanna Centlivre, Bold Strike for a Wife (1718)
“
“
22
24
Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer (1773) comedy
Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer (1773)
“
Dec.
29
1
Richard Sheridan, The School for Scandal (1777) comedy
Richard Sheridan, The School for Scandal (1777)
8-18
Examination Period - You must be present to write the Final Exam.
“
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English Drama: 1660-1800
Statement on Accommodation:
Students may request accommodation as a result of barriers related to disability, religious
obligation, or any characteristic under the human rights legislation.
Students who require academic accommodation for either classroom participation or the writing
of tests and exams should make their request to the Advising and Access Services Center
(AASC) prior to or at the outset of the regular academic year. Please visit www.dal.ca/access for
more information and to obtain the Request for Accommodation form.
A note taker may be required as part of a student’s accommodation. There is an honorarium of
$75/course/term (with some exceptions). If you are interested, please contact AASC at 494-2836
for more information or send an email to [email protected]
Please note that your classroom may contain specialized accessible furniture and equipment. It is
important that these items remain in the classroom, untouched, so that students who require their
usage will be able to fully participate in the class.
Academic Integrity:
All students in this class are to read and understand the policies on plagiarism and academic
honesty as referenced in the Policies and Student Resources sections of the
www.academicintegrity.dal.ca website. Ignorance of such policies is no excuse for violations.
At Dalhousie University, we are guided in all of our work by the values of academic integrity:
honesty, trust, fairness, responsibility and respect (The Center for Academic Integrity, Duke
University, 1999). As a student, you are required to demonstrate these values in all of the work
you do. The University provides policies and procedures that every member of the university
community is required to follow to ensure academic integrity.
What does academic integrity mean?
At university we advance knowledge by building on the work of other people. Academic
integrity means that we are honest and accurate in creating and communicating all academic
products. Acknowledgement of other people’s work must be done in a way that does not leave
the reader in any doubt as to whose work it is. Academic integrity means trustworthy conduct
such as not cheating on examinations and not misrepresenting information. It is the student’s
responsibility to seek assistance to ensure that these standards are met.
How can you achieve academic integrity?
We must all work together to prevent academic dishonesty because it is unfair to honest students.
The following are some ways that you can achieve academic integrity; some may not be
applicable in all circumstances.
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English Drama: 1660-1800
• Make sure you understand Dalhousie’s policies on academic integrity (linked above)
• Do not cheat in examinations or write an exam or test for someone else
• Do not falsify data or lab results
• Be sure not to plagiarize, intentionally or unintentionally, for example…
• Clearly indicate the sources used in your written or oral work. This includes computer codes/
programs, artistic or architectural works, scientific projects, performances, web page designs,
graphical representations, diagrams, videos, and images
• Do not use the work of another from the Internet or any other source and submit it as your own
• When you use the ideas of other people (paraphrasing), make sure to acknowledge the source
• Do not submit work that has been completed through collaboration or previously submitted for
another assignment without permission from your instructor (These examples should be
considered only as a guide and not an exhaustive list.)
Where can you turn for help?
If you are ever unsure about any aspect of your academic work, contact me (or the TA). Other
resources include:
• Academic Integrity website http://academicintegrity.dal.ca/
Links to policies, definitions, online tutorials, tips on citing and paraphrasing
• Writing Centre (http://www.dal.ca/campus_life/student_services/academic-support/writingand-study-skills.html)
Assistance with learning to write academic documents, reviewing papers for discipline-specific
writing standards, organization, argument, transitions, writing styles and citations
• Dalhousie Libraries Workshops (http://libraries.dal.ca/)
Online tutorials, citation guides, Assignment Calculator, RefWorks
• Dalhousie Student Advocacy Service (http://studentservices.dal.ca/services/advocacy.html)
Assists students with academic appeals and student discipline procedures.
• Senate Office (http://senate.dal.ca)
List of Academic Integrity Officers, discipline flowchart, Senate Discipline Committee
What will happen if an allegation of an academic offence is made against you?
As your instructor, I am required to report every suspected offence. The full process is outlined in
the Faculty Discipline Flow Chart, available at
http://senate.dal.ca/Files/AIO_/AcademicDisciplineProcess_Flowchart_updated_July_2011.pdf
and includes the following:
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English Drama: 1660-1800
• Each Faculty has an Academic Integrity Officer (AIO) who receives allegations from instructors
• Based on the evidence provided, the AIO decides if there is evidence to proceed with the
allegation and you will be notified of the process
• If the case proceeds, you will receive a PENDING grade until the matter is resolved
• If you are found guilty of an offence, a penalty will be assigned ranging from a warning, to
failure of the assignment or failure of the class, to expulsion from the University. Penalties may
also include a notation on your transcript that indicates that you have committed an academic
offence.
All participants in this class (i.e., students, instructor) are expected to practice academic integrity. At
Dalhousie there are University Regulations which deal with plagiarism and, prior to submitting any paper
in a course, students should read the policy on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Honesty” contained in the
Dalhousie Calendar or on the Dalhousie website <http://plagiarism.dal.ca/>. Ignorance of such policies is
no excuse for violations. All written work must be submitted to Brightspace.
Objectives:
To study and appreciate Restoration and eighteenth century English Drama; to become more
knowledgeable about general European society and culture from this period; to employ the
imagination to study theatre history; to improve skill sets in literary research and communication
(written and oral); and to have fun reading some great plays!
Grading Scale:
You will receive letter grades/percentages for your work in Engl. 3020
Grade
Grade Point %
Value
Value
A+
A
A-
4.30
4.00
3.70
90-100
85-89 Excellent
80-84
Considerable evidence of original thinking;
demonstrated outstanding capacity to analyze
and synthesize; outstanding grasp of subject
matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base.
B+
B
B-
3.30
3.00
2.70
77-79
73-76
70-72
Good
Evidence of grasp of subject matter, some
evidence of critical capacity and analytical
ability; reasonable understanding of relevant
issues; evidence of familiarity with the
literature.
C+
2.30
65-69
Satisfactory
Evidence of some understanding of the subject
Definition
Rubric (from University Calendar)
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English Drama: 1660-1800
C
C-
2.00
1.70
60-64
55-59
D
1.00
50-54
0-49
matter; ability to develop solutions to simple
problems
Marginal Pass
Evidence of minimally acceptable familiarity
with subject matter, critical and analytical skills
Failure
Insufficient evidence of understanding of the
subject matter; weakness in critical and
analytical skills; limited or irrelevant use of the
literature.
F
0.00
INC
0.00
Incomplete
W
Neutral and
no credit
obtained
Withdrew after
deadline
ILL
Neutral and
no credit
obtained
Compassionate
reasons, illness
Objectives:
To increase our appreciation of English drama (1660-1800), to add to our understanding of the
culture (society, politics, etc.) that produced it, to improve our written and communication
skills, and--in the spirit of Sparkish (see above)--to be forever merry!
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