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Block 4, 2004-5 / George Butte
Texts:
Austen, Pride and Prejudice [1813] (Penguin)
Dickens, Bleak House [1853] (Penguin)
Eliot, The Mill on the Floss [1860] (Signet)
Conrad, Heart of Darkness [1902] (Penguin)
Note: Please use these editions for class discussion and papers, so that we will have common page references.
I: M: Introductions
T: Austen, vol I. Class meets 9:45 am
W: Austen, vol II.
Th: off to read
F: Austen, vol III; Brown, “The Feminist Depreciation of Jane Austen” (x);
Due: 1000 word paper: Marriage in Pride and Prejudice: Commodity or More?
II: M: Dickens, pp. 1-264
T: off to read
W: Dickens, pp. 265-469
Th: off to read
F: Dickens, pp. 469-718 / Hillis Miller essay (x)
III: M: Dickens, pp. 719-989. Due 4pm: Journal (2500 words) or 1000 word paper
T: off to read
W: Eliot, pp. 11-206
Th: off to read
F: Eliot, pp. 207-413 / Eliot on Biblical criticism (x) / Due: 250 word explication
IV: M: Eliot, 413-547; Lerner essay (xerox)
T: Conrad
W: Final Exam
Grading: Assignments will count according to their length, with something like these percentages: First two assignments: 30%; explication: 10%; final exam 30%. Class participation can raise your grade up to half a grade. These values are approximate; grading is not a science.
I expect writing to be clear, subtle and well-organized. You should make careful, thoughtful use of relevant textual evidence. Awareness of critical methods and their assumptions will help, too. Grammar and spelling also matter.
Class Attendance: I expect you to be present, unless prevented by bona fide external forces (illness, war, the thermal death of the universe....) If you do miss class, you owe a 1-page thought piece on the assignment.
Office Hours: Armstrong Hall 251, M and Th, 2:00 to 3:30, and by appointment. Sign up on my door, talk to me at class, or call me at x6508 or 634-5136 at reasonable hours (not after 9 pm).
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