Schedule

All readings and assignments are due before class on the date they appear below. Schedule is subject to change.


Unit 1: Gaskell and Dickens

In our first unit, you will become familiar with major social, economic, and political issues emerging in the 1840s and 1850s through your reading of novels by two major authors: Elizabeth Gaskell and Charles Dickens. You will develop research strategies for interrogating the social, economic, and political issues presented in Victorian literature and become familiar the complex relationships between Victorian fiction and Victorian history.

Week 1 (Aug 25-29)

Aug 25: 1st day of class
Aug 29: last day to add

Monday

Topic: Introduction
Begin reading Cranford

Wednesday

Topic: Reading Cranford in Context

Friday

Topic: Reading Elizabeth Gaskell
Complete: Cranford (Ch. 1-5)


Week 2 (Sep 1-5)

Monday [HOLIDAY]

Holiday: read Cranford

Wednesday

Topic: Social Conduct and Women’s Issues
Complete: Cranford (Appendix E: Class, Conduct, and Etiquette)

Friday

Topic: Formulating a thesis on Cranford
Complete: Cranford (Ch. 6-16)


Week 3 (Sep 8-12)

Monday

Topic: Design Reform
Begin reading Hard Times

Wednesday

Topic: Reading Hard Times

Friday

Complete: Hard Times (Book 1)


Week 4 (Sep 15-19)

Monday

Topic: The Industrial Age
Complete: Hard Times (Appendix C.1a: Carlyle’s “Signs of the Times” and C.11: Ruskin’s “Unto This Last”)

Wednesday

Topic: Industrialization
Complete: Hard Times (Appendix C.6: Engel’s “Condition of the Working Class” and C.9: Martineau’s “Factory Controversy”

Friday

Topic: Formulating a thesis on Hard Times
Complete: Hard Times (Books 2 and 3)


Week 5 (Sep 22-26)

Sep 23: Last day to drop without record

Monday

Peer review, supplemental material chosen by class

Wednesday

Peer review, supplemental material chosen by class

Friday

Project 1 Due


Unit 2: George Eliot and Braddon

In our second unit, you will narrow your research interests in the Victorian period to three major terms / issues. You will conduct research that leads you to primary texts published in the nineteenth century, which may include letters, diaries, newspaper and magazine articles, legislation, conduct manuals, and many other possibilities.

Week 6 (Sep 29-Oct 3)

Monday

Topic: Introduction to George Eliot
Begin reading The Mill on the Floss

Wednesday

Topic: Research Methods

Friday (Hybrid)

Instead of attending class today, please email me three issues or themes that interest you in the Victorian period, and link to one secondary source (preferably a recent book). Continue reading The Mill on the Floss!


Week 7 (Oct 6-Oct 10)

Monday

Complete: The Mill on the Floss (Books I-IV)

Wednesday

Topic: Exploring primary texts and social issues

Friday

Complete: The Mill on the Floss (Books V-VII)


Week 8 (Oct 13-17)

Oct 15: Mid-Term Grades due

Monday

Topic: Introduction to the Sensation Novel
Begin reading Lady Audley’s Secret

Wednesday

Topic: Secondary Research Methods

Friday

Complete: Lady Audley’s Secret (Vol. I)

Week 9 (Oct 20-24)

Monday

Complete: Bring two secondary texts related to Lady Audley’s Secret

Wednesday

Topic: Writing research notes

Friday

Complete: Lady Audley’s Secret (Vol. II-III)


Week 10 (Oct 27-31)

Monday (HYBRID)

Conferences

Wednesday (HYBRID)

Conferences

Friday (HYBRID)

Conferences


Unit 3: Hardy

In our third unit, you will put together the skills you developed in the first two units to complete a robust research essay that focuses on Victorian social issues, while synthesizing examples from three of the novels, in addition to incorporating external primary and secondary research.

Week 11 (Nov 3-Nov 7)

Monday

DUE: Please email me your completed Footnote Essay by 11:59 on Nov. 3.

Begin Tess of the d’Urbervilles

Wednesday

Tess of the d’Urbervilles

Friday

Complete: Tess of the d’Urbervilles (Books I-III)


Week 12 (Nov 10-14)

Nov 11: Veteran’s Day Holiday

Monday (Holiday)

Take the day off

Wednesday (Hybrid)

Professor at NAVSA
Continue reading Tess of the d’Urbervilles and explore options for your final essay.

Friday (Hybrid)

Professor at NAVSA
Submit, by email, a one paragraph proposal for your final 10-page paper. Submit before 5pm.


Week 13 (Nov 17-21)

Monday

Powerpoint: Reading Hardy
Complete: Tess of the d’Urbervilles (Books IV-VII)

Wednesday

Tess of the d’Urbervilles
Optional: Appendix H, Women, Sexuality, and Fiction

Friday

Tess of the d’Urbervilles


Thanksgiving Break (Nov 24-28)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Week 14 (Dec 1-5)

Monday

Conferences, peer review

Wednesday

Conferences, peer review

Friday

Project 3 due: Email me by 11:59pm.

Week 15 (Dec 8-12)

Dec 12: Last day of class

Monday

Junior Portfolio; English Awards; SURCA; Poster Tips; Professional Writing

Wednesday

TBA

Friday

Reflection Letter Due: Email me by 11:59pm

At the end of the semester, you will write a reflection letter addressed to your professor that highlights your achievements this semester. You will include at least 3 quotes from your essays this semester to illustrate how your skills and methods have changed or developed.

Format: Business letter, 1-2 pages single-spaced (block paragraphs)