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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 346H"
COURSE NAME: "Study of the Works of a Single Modern Writer: Jane Austen - In Her Time and Ours (This is an honors course and carries 4 semester hours of credit; NB: Minimum 3.5 CUM GPA required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Shannon Russell
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above.
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

The course aims to understand both Austen’s debt to previous writers

and her own significant contributions to the genre of the novel. 

Students should be able to appreciate the context from which these

 novels emerge and the reasons why they speak so enduringly to us today.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Students will read all of Austen's major novels and selections from the Juvenilia and letters
and will be expected to critique film adaptions of these books as well.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course aims to understand both Austen’s debt to previous writers

and her own significant contributions to the genre of the novel. 

Students should be able to appreciate the context from which these

 novels emerge and the reasons why they speak so enduringly to us today.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
3 Essays (7-9 pages each)Assignment 3 Essays Group Seminar Presentation on film adaptation of one novel Participation Final Exam Honors component to be decided between teacher and pupil by Week 3 60%
Groups Seminar presentation on film critique of one novel 10%
Participation  10%
Final Exam 20%

-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 cour
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:

EN 346 JANE AUSTEN:  In Her World and Ours

Why do Jane Austen’s novels continue to be among the most widely read and loved books in the English language?  And why has Austen’s particular social world found so many connections with our own, given the popularity of recent screen adaptations of the novels?  As critics remain divided about whether Austen’s irony reveals her as an ardent conservative or a deeply subversive radical, the “Austen industry” thrives.  Whether in Tehran, Texas or Tokyo, Jane Austen’s allure transcends cultural and geopolitical boundaries.  In this course, we will read Austen’s major novels, as well as selections from her Juvenilia and letters.  We will also consider some of the recent film adaptations of her work.  The course aims to understand both Austen’s debt to previous writers and her own significant contributions to the genre of the novel.  Students should be able to appreciate the context from which these novels emerge and the reasons why they speak so enduringly to us. 
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
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NOTE:  There is no Mid-term exam in this course.

HONORS STUDENTS will have an extra assignment to be devised and agreed between student and teacher by the third week of classes.  Students may choose to write an extra paper, due a long presentation or a combination of the two.

 See the syllabus for EN 346 for an up-to-date version of the weekly reading assignments.

WEEK 1  

Tues. Sept. 4

Introduction to Course and its requirements: Who was Jane Austen and who is she now?

Thurs. Sept. 6

Read Lady Susan and selections from the Juvenilia on the website, particularly those Austen compiled in Volumes 1, 2 and 3: http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/juviscrp.html

WEEK 2

Tues. Sept. 11  Playing with the gothic and the novel of sensibility

Read:  Chapters 1-10 of Northanger Abbey    

Appendix C:  Examples of Jane Austen's Reading

Appendix D: Catherine Morland's Reading 

Thursday Sept. 13 Read:  Chapters 11-20 Northanger Abbey WEEK 3  (MAKEUP CLASS ON FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK)

Tues. Sept. 18

Read:  Chapters 21 to end Northanger Abbey

Thurs. Sept. 20

Read:  Volume I of Sense and Sensibility

Appendix B:  Sensibility

Friday Sept. 21 (Makeup Day for Nov. 1)

Read:  Volume II of Sense and Sensibility

WEEK 4  

Tues. Sept. 25

Read:  Volume III of Sense and Sensibility

Thurs. Sept. 27

View DVD Sense and Sensibility in library

SEMINAR Group 1 Critique of film version of the novel:  Victor, Emily, Batool, Erin, Kelsey

 

WEEK 5  FIRST ESSAY DUE

Tues. Oct. 2 

Read:  Volume I of Pride and Prejudice

Appendix B:  From the Conduct Books

Appendix C:  Burke on the French Revolution

Appendix D:  Discussion of Women’s Role after the French Revolution

Thurs. Oct. 4

Read:  Volume II of Pride and Prejudice

 

WEEK 6  (MAKEUP DAY ON FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK)

Tues.  Oct. 9

Read:  Volume III of Pride and Prejudice

Thurs. Oct. 11

Pride and Prejudice 

Friday Oct. 12 (Makeup Day for Nov. 22)

VISIT TO KEATS SHELLEY HOUSE 9:30 AM Meet at Spanish Steps

WEEK 7

Tues. Oct. 16

View DVD Pride and Prejudice in library for today's class

SEMINAR Group 2: Critique of film version of the novel:  Hannah, Tithi, Sibyl, Alexia, Rosa

Thurs. Oct. 18

Read: Volume 1 of Mansfield Park

Appendix A: The Theatricals at Mansfield Park

Appendix B: Religion WEEK 8

Tues. Oct. 23

Read: Volume 2 of Mansfield Park

Appendix C: Ideals of Femininity

Appendix F: A Woman’s Education

Appendix D: “The Improvement of the Estate”

Thurs. Oct. 25

Read:  Volume 3 Mansfield Park

Appendix E: The West Indian Connection

WEEK 9 SECOND ESSAY DUE

Tues. Oct. 30 Seminar 3:  Critique of film version of Mansfield Park : Participating Honors Students Thurs. Nov. 1 NO CLASS

WEEK 10  

Tues. Nov. 6

Read:  Volume I of Emma Appendix A:  The Composition and Receptionof the Novel

Appendix B:  Social Class and Landed Society

Appendix C:  The Landless:  Gypsies and Bastards

Thurs. Nov. 8 Read: Volume II of Emma

WEEK 11  

Tues. Nov. 13

Read:  Volume III Emma

Thurs. Nov. 15

Read:  To the end of Emma

WEEK 12

Tues. Nov. 20

View DVD’s of Emma and Clueless in library

SEMINAR Group 4:   Critique of film versions of the novel:  

Emma:  Sarah, Megan, Kristen

Clueless:  Chiara, Diana

Thurs. Nov. 22  NO CLASS --  THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY  

Read Persuasion over this break.

WEEK 13

Tues. Nov. 27

Read:   Volume I  Persuasion

Appendix G  From Thomson’s The Seasons

Appendix H  From Walter Scott’s Marmion

Appendix I  From Byron’s “The Gaiour”

Thurs. Nov. 29

Read:  Volume 2 of Persuasion continued

 

WEEK 14  THIRD ESSAY DUE

Tues. Dec. 4

Read:  Volume 3 Persuasion

Thurs. Dec. 6

SEMINAR Group 5:  Critique of film version of the novel:  Cecilia, Julia, Roxana, Lindsey, Nicole