English 526: The Victorian Novel

Course Description

      This course aims to introduce you to a diverse range of Victorian novelists and their works. We will read some fine examples of genres such as domestic realism, social satire, industrial problem, sensation, pastoral tragedy, and imperial quest. The writers we cover display remarkably distinct styles and perspectives as they engage the broad intellectual, artistic, and social trends of the period. We will consider how they reflect and question prevailing Victorian attitudes about gender roles, the class hierarchy, the composition of mind, the English nation and its imperial power, and the purpose and form of the novel itself.

Attendance

      Attendance is mandatory. I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. Every absence after the second one will lower your grade one “notch” (e.g., from B+ to B). If you arrive after class has begun, I will count it as a half-class absence. You are responsible for keeping track of the number of classes you have missed and for information covered and assignments due.

      I expect to be able to reach you through the college email account that you have been issued.

Assignments & Distribution

In addition to attendance and participation in class discussions, the course has three major written assignments and a final exam.

Explication (15%). The first written assignment is a short explication of a passage from one of the first two novels on the syllabus.

Critical Debates (15%). Working in small groups, each student will help to explain a recent critical debate about one of the texts on the syllabus. The discussion of this debate, which should ideally involve the larger class, should take about 15-20 minutes.

Term Paper (35%). A research essay (15-20 pages) is due on the final class, preceded by a proposal and an annotated bibliography.

Final Exam (25%). The final exam will be comprehensive and will consist of some combination of identifications and essays.

Participation (10%). It is essential that you come to class with your text, having completed the assigned reading, and prepared for active analysis. Reading quizzes will be factored into the participation grade.

Written Work

All written work must be typed (double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12-point type) and conform to MLA citation guidelines. I will consider requests for extensions submitted by the class preceding the due date. Late essays will receive a lower grade. Plagiarism constitutes grounds for failing the class. See the Student Handbook (http://www.cofc.edu/studentaffairs/general_info/studenthandbook.html) for a definition of plagiarism.

Required Texts

Schedule