The 17th century in England was a heterogeneous, turbulent time with surprisingly modern characteristics combined with strangely medieval remainders - there is something there for everyone.  Please read widely and enjoy investigating all the arts and sciences of this time: some of the most important scientific and technological discoveries were made in this period, and often in England -  subjects such as growth of medical knowledge and its effects of literature, for instance, are worth investigating; 17thc music is important and quite bearable;  at last English painting came up to European standards in this period (largely through importing our painters, though), and for the first time we can see the faces of those we read about in the expanding field of portraiture; and later in the century gardening and horticulture  become important, combining an interest in plants introduced from the earlier explorations with the growing scientific approach to the world around - plus delight in new tastes and textures for the table.

Fall 2013

This semester we will concentrate on specific texts in class, so obtaining copies of these texts in advance is essential.  At the same time, there is a great deal of material that we will not have time to look at in such detail in the class hours, and you are expected to read extensively on your own.  You are expected to read everything in the weekly schedule below, because these are the texts we will also study or talk about in class; but to get a proper understand of any of these writers or genres, further reading will be necessary. 

 In order to complete our reading of the most important poem of the 17^th century, and arguably of the whole of English Literature, we will every week study one book of Milton’s Paradise Lost (1674 version), leaving us with two hours for the remaining literature on our list. The Norton Critical Edition is recommended, for its inclusion of important essays, but A. Fowler’s Longman Edition remains the most useful for its scholarly notes.

 Presentations reflect your study of a focused issue in the relevant literature. They are NOT cut and paste from other sources: like essays, they should have a thesis statement and argument, supported by quotations from the literature under discussion, and of course a conclusion.  Primary sources are more important than secondary sources.  Don’t forget your list of works cited. A printed copy is to be handed to the instructor in class before the presentation.

(cartoon reproduced at choosingsides_03.shtml)

We will meet for this course on Wednesdays at 1440 in room Z19-A

The success of our classes will largely depend upon the reading that you have done in your own time.  20% of the final grade comes from your research and the knowledge you bring to class in your presentation as a result of it. 

Each of the two exams requires you to write one essay in two hours. You will select a topic from a list provided on the question sheet.  The Mid-term exam counts for 35% and the final exam for 45% of the term grade.