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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 303"
COURSE NAME: "Victorian Novel"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Russell Shannon
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00-11:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above and one previous English literature class
OFFICE HOURS: To be arranged

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

THE VICTORIAN NOVEL:  "CRIMINALS, IDIOTS, WOMEN AND MINORS"


The literature produced during the reign of Queen Victoria is notable for its incredible vitality and range, but for many, this period is identified as the age of the novel. This course considers the development of that most popular and enduring genre.  Through a reading of a selection of novels we will consider how Victorian writers manipulated the novel form to explore aspects of their world and themselves. In order to provide as rich a reading of these texts as possible, the course aims to consider the fiction within its own historical and cultural context. Topics considered will include the role of gender in these novels – the discussion of fallen and unfallen women, evolving ideas of the gentleman; Victorian race and cultural theories; imperialism and its evolutions;  science; emerging definitions of the Victorian self, psychology, and subjectivity; and the manipulation of the gothic, sensation, and detective narrative forms.  By the end of the course, students should be aware that the term Victorian has multiple meanings as viewed through the development of the novel over that long period from 1837-1901.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
 

Students will read six novels including Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, Wilkie Collins's The Moonstone, Arthur Morrison's A Child of the Jago, Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray.   Students will also use material from an edition of contemporary Victorian writing entitled Criminals, Idiots, Women and Minors as part of a critical appartus that will help them engage with relevant issues which inform this fiction. 

 

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
 

By the end of the course, students will have read six influential Victorian novels and will be familiar with the historical moment out of which they emerged.  They will also have been exposed to the vitality of the genre and its influences including:  oriental and biblical myths, detective fiction, the gothic novel, social realism/reportage and decadence as an aesthetic movement.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Jane EyreCharlotte BronteBroadview Press1-55111-180-2     
Great ExpectationsCharles DickensBroadview Press1551111748     
The MoonstoneWilkie CollinsBroadview Press97815511124357/1551112434     
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeRobert Louis StevensonBroadview Press1551116553     
The Picture of Dorian GrayOscar WildeBroadview Press1-55111-126-8     
A Child of the JagoArthur MorrisonAvailable on Google Books 00000 If you prefer a hard copy of this novel you can order it at the beginning of the term through The Book Depository which has free delivery to Italy. Otherwise, you may read this short novel through Google Books.   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Criminals, Idiots, Women and MinorsEd. Susan HamiltonBroadview Press978155111608277/1551116081  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
2 Essays Two typed research papers of 8-10 pages each.50% (25% each)
Mid-term ExamThe mid-term exam will be a take-home essay assignment to be completed within 1 hour and 15 minutes (or the usual class time).10%
SeminarSeminars are designed to enhance our historical understanding of the context of the novel studied.  Students will be expected to do some research and to present a seminar on a specific topic to be assigned by the professor.  Presentations should be about 15 minutes in length.10%
ParticipationStudents are expected to participate and to demonstrate their reading and understanding of the novels.  All contributions are welcome.10%
Final Exam 20%
Honors Requirements for those who are registered as Honors students ONLYThose students who opt to do the course for Honors credits will either produce longer papers, or an additional paper or will make a special presentation to the class.  Honors requirements are to be worked out in the first week of class with me. 

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Students are assessed on both their critical competency and oral responses to the material assigned as well as their writing ability.  Attendance and participation are mandatory and are also assessed.


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
 

Attendance requirements:

Attendance and class contribution are essential.

NOTE:  Absences of 4 or more classes will affect the final grade for the class. Two late entrances count as one absence.  

 Please refer to the student Handbook for University policy on Attendance.


 

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.
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.

SCHEDULE

CLASS MEETINGS      Spring 2012

 

Week 1

Tues. JAN. 17

Introduction to the Course and Requirements

View Simon Schama’s History of Britain: Victoria and Her Sisters

Read:  Jane Eyre Chapters 1-4

Optional background reading for essays, from Criminals, Idiots, Women and Minors (ON RESERVE in LIBRARY) Anna Brownwell Jameson's "The Milliners" and Margaret Oliphant's "The Condition of Women"; view of the governess in Harriet Martineau's "Female Industry"

Thurs. JAN. 19 Last Day to Add/Drop

Jane Eyre  Chapters 1-4

NOTE:  Advise me today if you will have a conflict with potential presentation assignment dates.

Week 2

Assignment of Presentation Topics and Schedule

Tues. JAN. 24

Jane Eyre Chapter 5-15

1 Seminar: Victorian Domestic Ideology: Women’s Roles and Cultural expectations; Brief Survey of Domestic Manuals (Broadview Appendix D)  EMMA GUIDO

Thurs. JAN. 26

Jane Eyre  Chapter 16-26

2 Seminar: The Governess Question (See Broadview Appendix C)  ALESSIA MINGRONE

3 Seminar:  Phrenology and Victorian Racial  MARY GOODMAN

Week 3

Tues. JAN. 31

Jane Eyre Chapters 27-33

4 Seminar: Victorian Slave Uprisings in the colonies and the Governor Eyre Controversy (Broadview Appendices E and F)  CAITLYN WRYNN

5 Seminar:  Victorian Attitudes to Madness and Insanity  SARAH KOLLER

Background reading:  Selection from Criminals, Idiots, Women, and Minors Frances Power Cobbe "What Shall We Do with Our Old Maids" and "Celibacy vs. Marriage" and "Wife Torture in England"

Thurs. FEB. 2

Jane Eyre  Chapters 34-38

6 Seminar: Victorian Attitudes to Suttee and Suicide (See Victorian Web)  ALETHEA STOLTZFUS

Week 4

Tues. FEB. 7

Great Expectations  Vol. 1  Chapters 1-9

7 Seminar: Transportation of Convicts, Accounts and  Emigration (Broadview Appendix D)  KATHRYN SPELLA

Thurs. FEB. 9    
READ 
Great Expectations  Vol. 1 Chapters 10-20  

Week 5 FIRST ESSAY DUE  

Tues. FEB. 14

Great Expectations  Vol. 2 Chapters 1-15

Seminar:  Case of George Barnwell, Model Prisons, Dickens's Writing on Prisons  (Broadview Appendix and web)  

8 Seminar: Extracts on Class and Language and the Education of a Gentleman, Ideology of Self-Help (Broadview Appendix C)

Thurs. FEB. 16

Great Expectations Vol. 2 Chapters 16-20; Vol. 3 Chapters 1-7

Background reading:  Selection from Criminals, Idiots, Women, and Minors  Frances Power Cobbe's essay "Criminals, Idiots, Women and Minors" 

Week 6

Tues. FEB. 21

Great Expectations   Volume 3 Chapters 8-20 and Appendix A: Original Ending

Thurs. FEB. 23  Summary Great Expectations

Week 7  

Tues. FEB. 28   MID-TERM EXAM

Thurs. MARCH 1  

 

The Moonstone Prologue and First Period

9 Seminar: The Indian Mutiny and contemporary responses to it including Charles Dickens's response CATHERINE ACCORSO

10 Seminar: Constance Kent Roadhouse Murder Case of 1860 (Broadview Appendix B)  EMILY DEAN

Week 8 

 Tues. MARCH 6

The Moonstone Second Period: First and Second Narratives (Miss Clack and Matthew Bruff)

11 Seminar:  Exeter Hall and the Philanthropic movements of the mid-Victorian period  ALI HAUSE

Thurs. MARCH 8

The Moonstone Third Narrative (Franklin Blake)

12 Seminar: The Major Murry/Northumberland Street Case of 1861 (Broadview Appendix C)  TAYLOR SCHETTINO

Background reading:  Selection from Criminals, Idiots, Women, and Minors Margaret Oliphant "The Grievances of Women" and Helen Taylor "Women and Criticism"

Week 9

Tues. MARCH 13 Class cancelled (Dickens conference).  Those who can attend, meet at the British School at Rome Lecture Theatre at 10am.

 Makeup class on Friday April 20 in Protestant Cemetery

Thurs. MARCH 15 

The Moonstone -- continued

Week 10 MARCH BREAK 19-23

Week 11

Tues. MARCH 27

The Moonstone Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Narratives and Epilogue

13 Seminar:  Collins's views on British Imperialism in "A Sermon for Sepoys" (Broadview Appendix D) ALI

Background reading:  Selection from Criminals, Idiots, Women, and Minors Margaret Oliphant "The Grievances of Women" and Helen Taylor "Women and Criticism"

Thurs. MARCH 29

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

14 Seminar:  London in the 1880's (Broadview Appendix I) TRICIA SAVELLI  

Background reading:  Selection from Criminals, Idiots, Women, and Minors  Eliza Lynn Linton "The Girl of the Period,"The Modern Revolt" 

The Wild Women: as Politicians," The Wild Women:  as Social Insurgents"

Week 12

Tues. APRIL 3

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

15 Seminar:  Victorian Attitudes to Psychology -- The Science of Split Personalities (Broadview Appendix K) JAMES DELUCIA

Thurs. APRIL 5

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

16 Seminar:  Ideas of Degeneration and Crime, Darwin  CAMILLE MASSARO

17 Seminar:  Jack the Ripper Case (Broadview Appendix H and Appendix J)  KRISTY SIGAFOOS

Week 13 

Tues. APRIL 10

Arthur Morrison A Child of the Jago

18 Seminar:  East End Slums in the 1890's  DOMINICK NERO

 

Thurs. APRIL 12

Arthur Morrison A Child of the Jago

Week 14

 

Tues. APRIL 17

The Picture of Dorian Gray  Chapters 1-4

 Seminar:  Aestheticism and Decadence Movements in Art and Literature


Thurs. APRIL 19

The Picture of Dorian Gray  Chapters 5-10

19 Seminar: Victorian Attitudes to Homosexuality (Appendix F):  Codes and Covers in a Homophobic age:   Pater, Huysman and Wildean Languor (Broadview Appendices D, E, G).  ADITI DATTA

Friday APRIL 20 (Makeup Day for March 13th) MEET at Protestant Cemetery (Piramide)

The Picture of Dorian Gray  Chapters 11-15


Week 15   SECOND PAPER DUE

 Tues. APRIL 24

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapters 16-20

Background Reading:  Selection from Criminals, Idiots, Women, and Minors  Mona Caird "Marriage," "A Defence of the So-called Wild Woman"  Millicent Garret Fawcett "The Emancipation of Women"

20 Seminar:  Wilde's Conviction for Homosexuality and "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" 

Thurs. APRIL 26

Summing up