The English Romantic Period

Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, and Keats are often called the “Big Six” of Romanticism.  Our course will include these traditional canonical writers but will also include many of the other literary figures who were their contemporaries and who were also prominent writers.  Readings will include poetry, short drama, political treatises and novels written during the period with an emphasis on the texts’ sociopolitical content.  We will explore many of the political, cultural, and social movements that shaped the writing of the period; We will discuss key political developments during the period, especially the French Revolution, the movement for women’s rights and the rise of Britain as a colonial power. 

Objectives:

Students will learn to:

• Read, analyze, interpret and identify literary texts in various genres, by various authors;
• Respond critically to a work of literature or scholarship, including situating a work of literature within a specific context;
• Engage with themes and ideas found in literature through writing and class discussions;
• Formulate a viable research question and a text-based argument derived from that question.

Required Books:

Broadview Anthology of English Romanticism

Edgeworth, Maria.  Castle Rackrent and Ennui, Penguin Edition

Austen, Jane.  Emma (packaged with the anthology)

Strongly Recommended:A Writer’s Handbook such as the Little Brown Handbook

Assignments:

Response Papers (3)                                    30%

Quizzes, Class Activities,

Short Responses                               15%

Midterm                                             25%   

Contextual Research Paper            30%

Grading Scale

F: 0-59, D: 60-69, C: 70-79, B: 80-89, A: 90-100

• You must complete all assignments in the sequence outlined on this syllabus in order to receive a passing grade in this course. 
• Papers must be in MLA format.  Please use a Writer’s Handbook if you need a refresher on MLA format.  I will not accept papers that are not in MLA format.
• Late papers will be penalized.  In the event of a personal or professional emergency, you must contact me prior to the due date and class meeting time.  Unauthorized late papers will result in a penalty of one lowered letter grade sequentially every twenty-four hours from the original due date, including weekends. 
• In-class work, quizzes, homework, and major assignments may not be made up in cases of unexcused absences. 
• Papers should not be submitted outside of class (for example, left under the door or by email).

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• Come to class; it’s that simple. You are expected to meet in class according to the times published in the fall schedule of classes.
• Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class.  To have credit for attendance, students who arrive in class after attendance is checked (first five minutes) must provide evidence (documentation) to substantiate their late arrival.  Otherwise, late arrivals will be marked as absent.
• Participation and attendance go hand in hand, and participation includes not only speaking and contributing to classroom discussion, but also completing the reading and assignments on time.  Please come to class prepared to discuss the assignments for that day and prepared to contribute to the overall conversation of the course.
• You are responsible for getting notes from a colleague for any class information you may have missed.
•  Quizzes, in-class writing, or other missed work may not be made up if the absence is unexcused, and homework will not be accepted late. 
•  For excused absences, students will have one week to make up the missed work.
•  If you miss more than 9 classes, you will fail the class.

Classroom Behavior

• As a courtesy to your classmates and to me, turn off all electronic devices (iphones, cell phones, etc) before class starts. 
• Please do not text during class,if you do so I will ask you to leave and the absence will be unexcused.
• Please keep an open mind. 

Email and Fax

• I will not discuss grades on e-mail or the phone.  Unless otherwise specified, assignments attached to e-mail messages will not be accepted if you have not submitted a hard copy of the assignment. 
• I will try to respond to emails within 48 hours; if you have not heard from me, don’t hesitate to contact me again. 

Grades

Grades are not negotiable. Your final course grade will be based on your work in the course. If you are concerned about a grade, see me during office hours.