Go To Assignments For:

August/September

October

November

December

Required Text:
All readings for the course will be made available as PDFs.

This course will explore the evolution of poetry during the reign of Queen Victoria, a period that saw remarkable cultural, political, and social changes in the British Empire. A variety of works will be examined from several different writers, investigating the ways in which those works reflect the climate of the times.

• If you require an accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Office of Student Disability Support Services (SDSS) to register.  More information regarding the intake procedure can be found on the SDSS website: http://www.morgan.edu/SDSS

OBJECTIVES 

All papers will follow MLA format: Typed, double-spaced, use parenthetical citations and, when necessary, a list of works cited, including references made to primary sources. (Sample MLA-style papers can be found in Canvas)  The main point of the response papers is to allow you the opportunity to explore specific aspects of texts that you find interesting in terms of the major themes and issues we discuss. More specific guidelines will be found in Canvas.

English 411 aims to teach students to:

• identify the major historical events associated with the Industrial Revolution and rise of the British Empire, and explain their significance to the assigned poems as applicable.
  
• identify the major and pivotal minor characters and themes in each poem read during the semester.
• identify and explain the major critical  approaches to works under consideration.
• identify the connections between poets' biographies and the works they produced.
  
• demonstrate their understanding of course content through participation in class discussions, oral presentations, critical response papers, research papers, and examinations.

1. evaluate the influence of historical and biographical events on the poetry of the Victorian period.
2. analyze the texts discussed in the course in terms of representative themes.
   
3. distinguish between different texts in terms of their aesthetic, political, and philosophical viewpoints.
4. produce effective arguments, in both oral and written forms, regarding the assigned texts, incorporating relevant critical theory.

• Class participation
• Critical response paper
• Oral presentation
• Documented research paper using MLA style
• Midterm and final examinations

GRADING

Attendance. Students are expected to attend every class. If you are forced to miss class, written verification for the reason for your absence is expected. Because of the importance of regular attendance, excessive (more than three) unexcused class absences will result in the loss of points from the final average. Excessive lates will also lower your grade. The complete attendance policy can be found on the class homepage . Please come speak with me if you have any questions.

Reading Assignments, and Participation.  All assigned readings must be completed before coming to class. Please keep in mind that students are expected to read the biographical introduction for each writer. You are expected to arrive prepared to provide thoughtful discussion of the daily readings, including the biographical introductions, responding to questions from the instructor or your classmates as they arise.  Classroom discussion will involve the open sharing of ideas and interpretations of the literature.  Because every person's opinion is valid, we will demonstrate civility and respect for each other, taking turns to provide our observations and not interrupting each other.  Only raised hands will be acknowledged.

Writing Assignments. There will be one (1) brief (1000-word minimum) critical response paper,  in addition to one (1) documented research paper (3000-word minimum), using a minimum of six documented secondary sources.

All papers will follow MLA format: Typed, double-spaced, use parenthetical citations and a list of works cited, including references made to the textbook (Sample MLA papers can be found in Canvas).  The critical response paper will require you to provide an analysis of a critical biography of one of the assigned poets for the course. A list of acceptable titles will be provided. The main point of the research paper is to allow you the opportunity to explore specific aspects of one or more of the poems we have discussed, focusing on the major themes and issues we will have discussed. The specific focus, though, is largely up to you.

• All papers must be submitted through Canvas as MS Word documents and are due by the end of the business day on which they are due.  
  
• Late papers will lose 2/3 of a letter grade for each class day.
• ** Plagiarism on any assignment will have dire consequences. **
• Please familiarize yourself with the policy  and let Dr. Mekler know if anything is unclear.
• In order to have your final research paper accepted, your topic must be approved by the stated deadline. Please come talk to Dr. Mekler if you have any questions.