Course Information

Course Description

ENG201 is the first course in a two-semester survey of the literature of the British Isles; this course covers material from the origins of British literature to the late eighteenth century, while the subsequent course, ENG202, covers material from the late eighteenth century to the modern era. This course is divided into four chronologically ordered blocks, corresponding to sections in the course textbook: The Middle Ages, The Sixteenth Century, The Early Seventeenth Century, and The Restoration & the Eighteenth Century. ENG201 satisfies the general education literature “Connector” requirement and can be used for credit toward either the major or the minor in English. The only prerequisite is satisfactory completion of the general education college composition requirement (ENG111/112 or ENG113).

Required Text

This course has only one required textbook:

• Greenblatt, Stephen, gen. ed. The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors. 8th ed. Vol. A. New York: Norton, 2006. (ISBN-10: 0393928306; ISBN-13: 9780393928303)

Students are advised to purchase this specific edition. While earlier editions may include many of the same readings, none contains all, and page variations between editions can cause unexpected difficulties.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete ENG201 demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, movements, issues, and techniques associated with the literature of the British Isles before the late eighteenth century. This knowledge is developed through qualitative analysis and synthesis, active listenting, critical reading, and written responses to assigned texts.

Instructional Methods

This course will have occasional lectures but will primarily be a discussion-based exploration of the assigned readings. Students are expected to bring observations about the readings to each class meeting. In addition, students are encouraged to meet with the professor outside of class to discuss course content and concepts.