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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 320 H"
COURSE NAME: "The Art of the Sonnet - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2026
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Livia Sacchetti
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above.
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course, students will engage in a chronological exploration of the sonnet. Beginning with a brief introduction to the form’s Italian origins, students will then examine the formal and thematic evolutions of the sonnet as it came to and gained popularity in the English-speaking world. Themes and conventions to be discussed will include Petrarchism, courtly love, gender, anti-Petrarchism, history, politics, the self, and art. The flexibility of the form over the centuries will also be emphasized, including the contemporary question of what it is exactly that makes a sonnet a sonnet.
This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 300-level literature classes are required to produce 5-6,000 words of critical writing.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course explores the tradition of the English sonnet, starting with its Italian roots (the Petrarchan sonnet) and then focusing on its development between 1550 and 1660. The course will develop an in-depth, detailed study of the Spenserian sonnet, the Shakespearean sonnet (using the new order developed by Wells, which includes the sonnets in the plays), and Donne's Holy Sonnets. Students will be invited to consider the evolution and implications of each author's style and use of poetic form, and of the sonnet itself across time and authors. They will also be invited to consider the ways in which form can shape meaning and, in turn, meaning can reconfigure form. In the Honors sections, students will be expected to complete more and more complex critical reading and to develop more complex papers accordingly.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of the sonnet and of Spenser, Shakespeare, and Donne as three key figures who shaped the English sonnet. The focus on the implications, shape, changes, and conventions of specific sonnets in each class will allow the students to engage with nuances of meaning and draw specific conclusions. The Socratic seminar structure of the classes will allow the students to take an active part in the analysis of the individual poems and to bolster the ability to develop precise and pointed close-readings. The critical readings provided will create the framework for their analyses.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Paper 1 | 2000 - 2500 critical essay -- with a research component, using specific critical sources | 20% |
| Midterm exam | in -class written analysis | 20% |
| Paper 2 | 2500 - 2800 word paper with a research focus, using pointed critical sources | 25% |
| Final exam | | 25% |
| Class participation | Active participation in class discussion | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance in this course is mandatory; for excused absences, please refer to the Dean of Students' communications. Unexcused absences will affect your grade (class participation); active participation in class discussion will boost this grade. Leaving class for longer than 15 minutes will result in an absence unless this has been allowed by the Professor. You can have 2 unexcused absences without any impact.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Week 1
Introduction -- the Petrarchan sonnet
- Origins
- Development
- Influences
Week 2 Spenser
Week 3 Spenser
- The Spenserian sonnet continued
Week 4 Spenser
- The Spenserian sonnet continued
Week 5 Shakespeare
Week 6 Shakespeare
Week 7 Shakespeare
Week 8 Shakespeare
Week 9 Shakespeare
Week 10 John Donne
Week 11 John Donne
Week 12 John Donne
Week 1 3 John Donne
Week 14
Closing remarks
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