Description:

We will approach the rich field of eighteenth-century texts from the literary-historical perspective of genre, by studying a variety of literary forms in poetry and prose in Britain from 1660 to 1790. These include satire in verse and prose; letters in verse and prose; odes; elegies and epitaphs; sermons and devotional writing; and weird works with no definite or agreed upon genre. Eighteenth-century writers were constantly reevaluating what should count as literature, so will explore the way forms for writing poetry and prose allowed authors to innovate carefully while remaining anchored in tradition; how men and women writers handled the same genres; which genres were popular and why, and why some have survived better than others. Throughout the readings we will learn the importance of the rhetorical principle of decorum, of choosing a fit style for different subjects and audiences. Though we will not include the novel or drama, we will consider other kinds of shorter prose  fiction and nonfiction. We will study the works of writers from a century of great intellectual range from which we have inherited some abiding interests. You will work with older and recent criticism of genres and texts and pursue independent research.

Learning Outcomes:

• recognize the features of selected eighteenth-century genres and apply them to new works
  
• formulate useful research questions and cogent arguments about eighteenth-century literature
• express literary interpretations in focused, persuasive writing and speaking
  
• evaluate historical and current criticism independently

Required Print Text: NCSU Bookstore

Demaria, Robert ed. British Literature 1640-1789: An Anthology. Third Edition. $49.95 list new.

• Attendance 10%
  
•  preparation for, participation in each class 10%
  
• PAPER 1: Shorter, independent close reading of a primary work (3-5 pp) 10%
• PAPER 2: analysis of  literary criticism from the 18th century (5-7pp) 15%
  
• PAPER 3 critical review of a recent scholarly work from the last 10 years about any work on the syllabus (5-7pp)  15%
  
• short (15-minute) oral presentation 15%
  
• Proposal for longer research paper  5% pass/fail
  
• PAPER 4: Longer research paper (12-15 pages) 20%
  

Late papers are accepted only one class late, and with full grade penalty. Any papers arriving later than that will not be accepted. Papers are due at the start of class, in class, printed out on paper.

How I Figure Your Grades

You must complete all the required work to pass the class. No opting out of assigned work.  I will grade plus/minus.

Percentages for each required graded category are figured via a percentage of a 12-pt. scale in which an A+ =12 and
an F=0 points. For example, a B+ on paper 2 (close-reading) would net you 9 x .15 or 1.35 points toward the final 12.  Or, a C in participation nets you 5 x .15 or .75, an A on the final exam nets you 11 x .25 or 2.75 points.
I then add up the percentage points for each required category to determine your grade from 0 to 12.  For example, an 8.0 through 8.9 final score = B for the class.

Expected participation: come to class on time, with the appropriate texts, having read and thought about them enough to have something specific and intelligent to say or write about them. There will be quizzes to check that you are doing the readings.

Attendance: You are allowed 3 absences. If you are absent, unexcused, more than 3 times over the course of the semester, your absences will count progressively against your final grade. Every 2 absences beyond the allowed 3 loses you a half letter grade on the calculated final grade. Anyone who misses the first two classes can be immediately dropped from the class. For the definition of an unexcused absence, see http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.4.php

            Box 7509, 515-7653. http://www.ncsu.edu/dso/

Academic Integrity Assumption
Universities are unique communities committed to creating and transmitting knowledge. They depend on freedom - individuals' freedom to explore ideas and to explore and further their own capabilities. Those freedoms depend on the good will and responsible behavior of all the members of the community, who must treat each other with tolerance and respect. They must allow each other to develop the full range of their capabilities and take full advantage of the institution's resources.