ENGLISH 3331:01 SURVEY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE,
Pt. 1
Beginnings to 1798
Spring 2015
Instructor: Dr. Clay Daniel; COAS 233; Tel. 665-3421; e-mail
[email protected]; (use email if possible; it’s much more reliable)
Internet site: faculty.utpa.edu/daniel
Place and Time: T 7:10-9:55; Classroom TBA Office Hours: 57, 10:00-10:15PM, M,T,W
I.Course Description:
A. UTPA Catalog: A chronological study of the principle authors,
works and trends in English literature from the Anglo-Saxon
period to the beginning of the Romantic movement. Prerequisite:
nine hours of English.
B. Instructor's Description: The course will focus on plays,
poems, and prose. We will read these texts as “literary works”
(examples of how an author uses literary devices and techniques to
create art), but we will also read the works in relation to the author,
society, and historical forces that produced them. To this purpose,
the student will learn the identity and works of major authors, the
definition of significant literary terms, and the impact of historical
events on literature. Additionally, we will analyze a few major
works in-depth.
II. Course Policies: All course policies are subject to change to
accord with university policies.
1. Attendance: be aware of university policies concerning
attendance.
2. Be aware of university policies on drops and changes-of-grades.
Be particularly aware that you are responsible for dropping the
course by the appropriate date. Contact me via email to arrange to
get my signature at least a week before the drop date. Do not wait
until the last minute: I could be out of the office/absent.
3. You can provide suggestions or questions to me throughout the
semester in person, during conferences, or by posting anonymous
comments through the BB Class Forum.
4. Avoid eating and drinking during class. However, unless it's a
problem, you can do this.
5. University policies concerning students with disabilities are also
implemented. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact
the Disability Services office for a confidential discussion of their
individual needs for academic accommodation. It is the policy of
the University of Texas-Pan American to provide flexible and
individualized accommodation to students with documented
disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in course
activities or to meet course requirements. To receive
accommodation services, students must be registered with the
Disability Services office (DS), University Center #108, 665-7005
or [email protected].
6. Avoid phone calls. Email me. If you must call (not a good idea),
leave message with English Dept (665-3421)
7. Keep all of your graded course work to ensure that you receive
credit. Students are responsible for all graded course work that is
missing from the gradebook.
8. If you are a graduating senior or have a grade-sensitive issue, let
me know when you take the final exam. Otherwise, after the final
grade is posted on the Assist/Online system, wait until the
following semester to contact me if you have questions about your
final grade (I do not check UTPA email during breaks).
9. CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
The first confirmed violation of academic dishonesty (as defined in
HOP section 5.5.2) by an undergraduate student will result in the
following action:
Ø The recommended penalty will be an F for the course and
completion of an educational program on academic integrity. If
the matter is taken to a hearing officer, the academic penalty
imposed will consider any recommendation of the faculty member
involved.
Ø The student will be informed that a second violation may result in
suspension or expulsion.
Ø A copy of the sanction letter will be forwarded to the student’s
academic chair.
The second confirmed violation of academic integrity by an
undergraduate student (or first by a graduate student) will result in
the following action:
Ø The recommended penalty will be an F for the course and
suspension or expulsion. If the matter is taken to a hearing officer,
the academic penalty imposed will take into consideration any
recommendation of the faculty member involved.
Ø If expelled, the student’s transcript will contain the notation,
“Expelled for Academic Misconduct,” along with the applicable
date.
Ø A copy of the sanction letter will be sent to appropriate academic
officials.
10. Also be aware of “the Bronc Honor Code: As members of a
community dedicated to honesty, integrity, and mutual respect in
all interactions and relationships the students, faculty and
administration of our university pledge to abide by the principles in
The Bronc Honor Code.”
11. Often the class, at the beginning of the semester, changes to a
different classroom. Since it takes time officially to process this
change, the change might not appear on the Assist system. If you
can’t find the classroom (students almost always have), contact me
(or the English Department).
12. If you email me, either with questions or material, expect an
answer within 48 hrs., except on weekends. If I don’t respond, I
didn’t receive it.
13. From the administration, “The new university policy requires
all email communication between the University and students be
conducted through the students' official University
supplied BroncMail account. Therefore, please use your UTPA
assigned BroncMail for any future correspondence with UTPA
faculty and staff”.
14. Test procedures: 1. Put cell phones completely away during
exams; a visible cell phone means an automatic 50 on the exam. 2)
Unless you have a disability or medical reason (or other very good
reason), remain within the classroom during testing.
III. Texts:
1. Required:
A. The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th
ed., VOLUME ONE. Be sure to the right anthology/volume, but
you can use earlier editions (they are much cheaper, especially
through the internet). Also, all of the works are either on the
internet or in the library. I have a textbook also in on reserve in the
library.
B. Course Study Guide that includes the notes that I use to deliver
class lectures. Obtain a copy of this course study guide by
1) Duplicating the copy in the Reserve Room
2) Copying it from my Internet site. This site contains much
course information, including a sample essay.
3) Giving me a disk onto which I'll copy the notes.
2. Blackboard
A. You do not have to use this free Internet/WWW program. It is
strictly intended to enhance the class as well as provide the
opportunity to gain extra-credit points/make-up quizzes.
B. Each student will be assigned an account (your UTPA e-mail
username and a SS# password) for this computer program. Some
of its course-enhancements are extra credit quizzes, extra credit
essay assignments, a bulletin board, a mailroom, a chat room, and
an up-to-date calendar, and a listing of your grades (optional).
IV. Course Requirements: Your grade will be determined as
follows:
A) Quizzes: 10%
B) Two 500-word essays or One TeXeS/ExCET Essay: 10%
C) Research Terms: Two weeks before the end of the semester I
will give a 40/50 question test on these terms. If you score 70 or
higher, I'll add 10 pts. to one of your test grades. If you score
below 60, I'll subtract 5 pts.
D) Extra Credit Assignments (through WebCT/Blackboard)
E) 4 major tests, including comprehensive final: 20% each
A). Quizzes: I will give 5 quizzes that will consist of 6 short
answer questions. I will drop the lowest grade. Grading: 0
incorrect: 100; 1 incorrect: 90; 2 incorrect: 75; 3 incorrect: 55; 4
incorrect: 40; 5 incorrect: 20; 6 incorrect: 0.
B). 500-word Essays: The purpose of these essays is to encourage
the student to synthesize the material that is covered during the
semester. Writing these essays, it is not enough for the student
simply to restate facts: s/he must be able to comprehend these facts
in relation to important literary concepts and historical trends.
Since it is very difficult for undergraduate students to make these
conceptual connections in class, I am assigning them out-of-class.
i. These essays will be written out-of-class during the semester.
They must be turned in during the week they are due. Late work
will not be accepted.
ii. The essays do not have to be typed.
iii. You must use at least three secondary/critical sources for each
paper.
iv. The essays must be grammatical. A paper that will not pass
freshman English will not be given above a D. In any case, 5 pts.
will be deducted for each major error.
C). Research Terms: These terms (which I will provide on the first
class day) will familiarize you with much information that will add
significantly to your understanding of the material taught in the
course. But we simply do not have time to cover these topics in
class (though you can question me in class or after about these
topics). To find definitions, consult textbooks, dictionaries,
encyclopedias, other reference books, indexes, and the library's
card catalogue for books on the topic. You do not have to turn in
anything. You will only take a Research Terms Test, to be given in
class. The test will be matching (four groups of ten matching
questions).
D). Blackboard Extra Credit Assignments: Lots of extra points
available. 25 pt. limit. All work due two weeks before last class
day.
E). Major Exams
i. Exams will consist of 30 to 40 short answer/true-false/multiple
choice/identification/matching questions.
ii. The final exam will be comprehensive, but it will also include
new questions on Period Four (the Restoration/18th Century), on
which students will not have been tested. The comprehensive
questions will be based on questions on previous exams (often
simply rephrased). Therefore, students should keep tests as study
aids.
iii. The material that you will be primarily tested over is listed
below as COURSE GOALS (and also listed in the study guide).
Most, if not all, of this material will be covered in class. You
will rarely be tested over material that I do not cover.
V. Accommodating Students with Disabilities
If you have a documented disability which will make it difficult for
you to carry out the work as I have outlined and/or you need
special accommodations/ assistance because of the disability,
please contact the Office of Services for Persons with
Disabilities (OSPD) immediately. Appropriate
arrangements/accommodations can be arranged. Verification of
disabilities and processing of special services required, such as
notetakers, extended time, separate accommodations for testing,
will be determined by OSPD. Please do not assume
adjustments/accommodations are impossible. Consult with the
coordinator for OSPD at extension.
VI. Course Goals:
English 3331 Instructor’s Learning Outcomes Course
Objectives:
English 3331 is a chronological study of the principal authors,
works, genres and trends in British literature from the AngloSaxon period to the beginning of the Romantic movement. The
course is designed to
1. introduce students to British literature (SLO 2, 3,4)
2. acquaint students with British literary history (SLO 1, 2, 3,4)
3. acquaint students with the specialized terminology of literary
studies analysis (SLO 1, 2, 3,4)
4. promote students’ ability to read analytically and creatively,
develop critical writing skills, and practice oral communication
skills (SLO 1, 2, 3,4)
5. prepare students for the English TExES exam (SLO 2, 3,4)
VII. What Students Should Learn
I. The first class day I will give an assessment test. I will give it
again at the end of the semester. A primary course goal is that each
student will demonstrate at least a 50-70% improvement. They
usually do.
II. Specific Content/Bases for Major Exams
PERIOD ONE: MIDDLE AGES (400's until 1485)
What students should learn during the study of this period:
Section 1: Early Middle Ages
1. Know the major characters and events of these works: A.
Beowulf B. “Dream of the Rood” C. “Caedmon's Hymn” D. “The
Wanderer”
2, These literary terms and devices: A. Scop B. Antagonist C.
Alliteration D. Climax E. Kenning F. Conflict G. Epic H. Theme I.
Plot J. Understatement (litotes) K. Protagonist
Section 2: Later Middle Ages
1.The major characters and events of these works: A. Canterberry
Tales, the ones discussed in class (as well as, to a lesser extent,
Chaucer's other works). B. Malory's Morte D'Arthur
2. These literary terms and devices: A. Levels of narration B.
Persona C. Personification E. Popular literary genres during the
Middle Ages: a. Dream vision b. Arthurian romance c. Ballads d.
Mystery and Morality plays
e. Fableau f. Exemplum g. Beast Fable
PERIOD TWO: RENAISSANCE (1485-1603)
What students should learn during the study of this period:
1. The major characters and events of these works: A. Utopia B.
Twelfth Night C. Doctor Faustus D. King Lear
2. The following authors and their major works (the ones discussed
in class): Sir Philip Sidney, English translations of the Bible,
Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare
3. These literary terms and devices: A. Sonnet: sonnet cycle,
Petrarchan sonnet, Petrarchan conceit; B. Meter C. Rhyme scheme
D. Tragedy: hamartia, hubris, classical unities, catharsis, tragic
protagonist/reversal/recognition E. Revenge tragedy F. Blank verse
G. Marlovian protagonist H. Courtier poets I. Pastoral J. Critical
approaches to literature (to be covered in a course hand-out): (1)
biographical, (2) historical (3) ideological (4) new critical (5)
psychological K. Humanism
PERIOD THREE: THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY
(1603-1660)
What students should learn during the study of this period:
1.The major characters and events of Paradise Lost
2. The following authors and their major works: Jonson, Milton,
Donne, Herbert, Herrick, Lovelace
3. The careers of Donne, Jonson, and Milton, especially as they
relate to the emerging public role of the poet.
4. These literary terms and devices: A. Masque B. Comedy of
Humours C. Topographical poem D. Typographical poem E.
Metaphysical poetry F. Baroque G. Sons of Ben/Cavalier poetry H.
enjambment I. Miltonic blank verse J. Closet tragedy K. Religious
Allegory (Pilgrim's Progress)
PERIOD FOUR: RESTORATION AND EIGHTEENTH
CENTURY (1660-1798)
What students should learn during the study of this period:
1. The following authors and their major works (the ones discussed
in class): Dryden, Congreve, Swift, Pope, Addison and Steel,
Defoe, and Johnson.
2. These literary terms and devices: A. Heroic Tragedy B. Comedy
of Manners C. Heroic Couplet D. Mock-epic E. Sublime F.
Epistolary novel G. Picaresque novel H. Grub Street
3. You should be able to identify these concepts: Deism, the Book
of Nature, skepticism, Tabula Rasa, Age of Sensibility
VI. TENTATIVE OUTLINE SCHEDULE: We usually don’t
stay on schedule. Once the semester is fully underway, and I
have a better idea how things will turn out, I’ll post a more
accurate schedule on Blackboard.
WEEKS 1-4: PERIOD ONE: MIDDLE AGES (400's until
1485)
Week 1—Jan 20: Introduction to Course; assessment test
Week 2—Jan 27: The Middle Ages---Beowulf, “Caedmon's
Hymn,” “Dream of the Rood”; “The Wanderer”
Week 3—Feb 3: Geoffrey Chaucer's “General Prologue” to the
Canterbury Tales; Chaucer's “Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale”;
other tales in book. Medieval drama
Week 4—Feb 10: Ballads. Malory's Morte D'Arthur
WEEKS 5-9: PERIOD TWO: RENAISSANCE (1485-1603)
Week 5—Feb 17: TEST 1; Thomas More's Utopia; Sir Philip
Sidney's sonnets.
Week 6—Feb 24: Shakespeare's sonnets #18, 29, 60, 94, 116, 129.
Marlowe's Dr. Faustus.
Week 7—Mar 3: Finish Faustus; Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
Week 8—March 10: Finish Twelfth Night. Literary Studies
MARCH 17: SPRING BREAK
Week 9---March 24: King Lear.
WEEKS 10-11 PERIOD THREE: THE SEVENTEENTH
CENTURY (1603-1660)
Week 10---March 31. TEST 2. Cavalier Poetry: Ben Jonson's “On
My First Son”, “Inviting a Friend to Supper”, “Song”, “Still to Be
Neat”; Robert Herrick's “Delight in Disorder”, “To the Virgins”,
“Upon the Nipples of Julia's Breast”, “Upon Julia's Clothes”;
George Herbert's “Easter Wings”; Richard Lovelace's “To
Lucasta” and “To Althea”
Week 11—April 7: Metaphysical Poetry: John Donne's “The
Good-Morrow”’ “Song,” “The Sun Rising,” "The Canonization",
“To His Mistress Going to Bed”, Sonnets 10 and 14. Milton
WEEKS 12-15: PERIOD FOUR: RESTORATION AND
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY (1660-1798)
Week 12—April 14: TEST 3. Introduction to the Restoration and
the 18th century. John Dryden's Absalom and Achitophel.
Restoration Drama.
Week 13—April 21: Defoe, Addison and Steele, and EighteenthCentury genres. Jonathan Swift. Essays and all extra credit
assignments due.
Week 14—April 28: Alexander Pope’s Essay on Criticism, Essay
on Man, The Dunciad, and Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot. Dr. Samuel
Johnson.
Week 15---May 5: RESEARCH TERMS TEST. Finish Period
4; review for final.
May 12: Final Exam at 8PM
From the administration: “Mandatory Course Evaluations period
(Apr 15 – May 6): Students are required to complete an ONLINE
evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTPA account
(https://my.utpa.edu/); you will be contacted through email with
further instructions. The evaluation window closes at 11:59 pm on
May 6th, the last day of Spring classes. Students who complete
their evaluations by May 6th will have priority access to their
grades.”