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Overview
Beginning with the canonical alliterative epic Beowulf
and continuing through the works of Samuel Johnson in the eighteenth
century, this course covers roughly ten centuries of British literature.
Our goals in this course are twofold (at least): to provide a chronology
of (mostly) canonical British literature and to develop a sense of
literary historicity as well as to think deeply about literature rooted
in cultures simultaneously comparable to and disparate from our own. The
poetry and drama of times distant—in Old English (Beowulf),
Middle English (Chaucer), and early modern English
(Shakespeare)—challenge us to consider the value of studying literature:
what are the values of literary study as a window into other lives,
times, and cultures? What is the value of literary analysis as a
mirror—providing insight into our own desires, motives, and
subjectivity?
Students will:
• study the major genres,
forms, themes, and trends of British literature from Beowulf to Samuel Johnson
• practice close readings as well as analyze major tropes and themes
• identify the major historical events influencing the Western
literary tradition
• express thoughtful, cogent, and persuasive interpretations of
literary works verbally and in writing
• demonstrate basic research and writing skills including retrieving
and documenting sources
Required text:
Damrosch, David, ed.
The Longman Anthology of British Literature. Vol. A. Second Edition. New York: Longman, 2004.
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