Seminar in Literature: Jane Austen (ENGL 4053/5963)

Sample Syllabus

(Check with instructor for updates.)

Instructor: Dr. Scherrey Cardwell Website: http://www.cameron.edu/~scherrec/ Email: scherrec@cameron.edu

Office: Nance Boyer 2029 Office Phone: 581-2324 Office Hours: Posted on office door

Course Description

The course will trace Austen's use of the country-house tradition through the six major novels, the epistolary Lady Susan, letters and fragments. Lectures, slides and videotapes will provide the artistic and cultural context of the Regency period within which Austen attempted to work out an enduring and viable vision of the proper relationship between landowners, people, and the English land and landscape.

Course Statement of Objectives

Each student who completes English 4053 should be able to:

1. Discuss Jane Austen's importance in the tradition of the English novel as it evolved from the 18th into the 19th century.
2. Trace the influence of the country-house tradition and of other contemporary cultural movements through Austen's novels.
3. Elucidate the cultural significance and artistry of Austen's novels by close analyses of the texts.
4. Demonstrate mastery of library research and writing, using the Modern Language Association (MLA) style of documentation.

Research and Writing Assignments

1. Undergraduate Students will be expected to write two short research reports (750-1000 words) and to present one report of their choosing orally to the class either during the First or Second Report period. First papers (and reports) are due October 6-15. Second papers (and reports) are due December 1-8. Please discuss your topics with me before beginning work. Please let me know by Friday of the previous week if you wish to present your report during the following week. Those choosing to present reports early will show both sense and sensibility.
2. Graduate Students will be expected to write a research paper of 2000 words (10-12 typed pages) using the MLA style and to present their papers to the class during the second period of reports (Dec 1-8). Please discuss your topics with me before beginning work.

Evaluation

Graded assignments and the percentage values assigned to them in determining the course grade are as follows:

Attendance/Withdrawal Policy

Regular class attendance is required. If you must miss class, please notify me and arrange to make up any missed assignments as soon as possible.

If you find it necessary to withdraw from the course, please complete the official administrative process, which includes obtaining a drop-and-add form from the Registrar's Office, having it signed by the instructor, and returning it to the Registrar's office.

CALENDAR OF ASSIGNMENTS (Fall 2003)

I will make adjustments in the following schedule of assignments as circumstances dictate. Please be sure to note these changes as they occur and edit your copy of the syllabus accordingly.