Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 303H"
COURSE NAME: "The Victorian Novel(This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Shannon Russell
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00AM 11:15AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 60
CREDITS: 4
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Once previous course in English Literature or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on the novel of the Victorian period analysing the reasons which led to the predominance of the form and how it succeeded in balancing mass popularity and aesthetic complexity. The study of the possible critical approaches to the texts and the identification of the formal structures which govern the novel will be an integral part of the course, as will a consideration of the novel’s relationship to cultural and historical changes in the period.

Students who achieve high levels of academic excellence (minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5) have the option of taking specially designated Honors Courses. These may also include occasional interdisciplinary seminars open only to such students. More frequently, regular John Cabot University courses may be offered with an option of taking them for four academic credits as Honors Courses. Students who register for such courses as Honors Courses must complete additional assignments (e.g., research papers or portfolios) in which they delve more deeply into the subject matter in question. These additional assignments are graded on a "grant of Honors credit/no grant of Honors credit" basis and are not calculated into the final grade for the course. For the granting of Honors credit, students should produce work of a quality that would receive a B (3.00/4.00) or higher and this will be noted on their transcripts. Students taking a course as an Honors Course also enjoy additional mentoring time with the instructor. Instructors for Honors Courses are chosen by the Dean of Academic Affairs in conjunction with the Department Chair, based on their expertise and teaching excellence.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course focuses on the novel of the Victorian period analysing the reasons which led to the predominance of the form and how it succeeded in balancing mass popularity and aesthetic complexity. The study of the possible critical approaches to the texts and the identification of the formal structures which govern the novel will be an integral part of the course, as will a consideration of the novel’s relationship to cultural and historical changes in the period.

Students who achieve high levels of academic excellence (minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5) have the option of taking specially designated Honors Courses. These may also include occasional interdisciplinary seminars open only to such students. More frequently, regular John Cabot University courses may be offered with an option of taking them for four academic credits as Honors Courses. Students who register for such courses as Honors Courses must complete additional assignments (e.g., research papers or portfolios) in which they delve more deeply into the subject matter in question. These additional assignments are graded on a "grant of Honors credit/no grant of Honors credit" basis and are not calculated into the final grade for the course. For the granting of Honors credit, students should produce work of a quality that would receive a B (3.00/4.00) or higher and this will be noted on their transcripts. Students taking a course as an Honors Course also enjoy additional mentoring time with the instructor. Instructors for Honors Courses are chosen by the Dean of Academic Affairs in conjunction with the Department Chair, based on their expertise and teaching excellence.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course focuses on the novel of the Victorian period analysing the reasons which led to the predominance of the form and how it succeeded in balancing mass popularity and aesthetic complexity. The study of the possible critical approaches to the texts and the identification of the formal structures which govern the novel will be an integral part of the course, as will a consideration of the novel’s relationship to cultural and historical changes in the period.

Students who achieve high levels of academic excellence (minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5) have the option of taking specially designated Honors Courses. These may also include occasional interdisciplinary seminars open only to such students. More frequently, regular John Cabot University courses may be offered with an option of taking them for four academic credits as Honors Courses. Students who register for such courses as Honors Courses must complete additional assignments (e.g., research papers or portfolios) in which they delve more deeply into the subject matter in question. These additional assignments are graded on a "grant of Honors credit/no grant of Honors credit" basis and are not calculated into the final grade for the course. For the granting of Honors credit, students should produce work of a quality that would receive a B (3.00/4.00) or higher and this will be noted on their transcripts. Students taking a course as an Honors Course also enjoy additional mentoring time with the instructor. Instructors for Honors Courses are chosen by the Dean of Academic Affairs in conjunction with the Department Chair, based on their expertise and teaching excellence.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
Jane Eyre	Charlotte Bronte	Broadview	1-55111-180-2
Great Expectations	Charles Dickens	Broadview Press	9-781551-111742
The Moonstone	Wilkie Collins	Broadview Press	978-1-55111-243-5
Arthur Morrison	A Child of the Jago	Broadview Press	978-1-55111-985
The Picture of Dorian Gray	Oscar Wilde	Broadview Press	1-55111-126-8
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde	Robert Louis Stevenson	Broadview Press	1-55111-655-3

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
2 Research papers of 8-10 pages each	Essays should include peer-reviewed research and conform to MLA standards in presentation.	50% (25% each)
Mid-term Exam	The mid-term exam will be held in a regular class time and will require an essay response.	10%
Seminar Presentation	Seminar presentations 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 15-20 minutes in length and may involve a powerpoint presentation, hand-outs, a short film or any relevant mode of communication. The focus of the presentation should be the provision of contextual information and material from the Victorian period that will contribute to our understanding of the Victorian novel, in general, and in particular. Seminars should be starting points for discussion of the issues relevant to the novel discussed. Aim to expose some aspect of Victorian culture that might surprise the class, force us to ask questions we might not normally ask, and which can enrich our engagement with the novel studied.	10%

Participation	Participation implies active contributions to class discussion. Attendance is required but it alone does not contribute to your grade in participation.	10%
Final Exam		20%
Honors Component to be decided between teacher and student by Week 3	See the description of Honors requirements, in general. By Week 3, Honors students will have met with the professor to discuss what they want to do to fulfil the Honors requirements and a timetable for presentations or due dates for papers will be determined then.	Pass/Fail

-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:
This course focuses on the novel of the Victorian period analysing the reasons which led to the predominance of the form and how it succeeded in balancing mass popularity and aesthetic complexity. The study of the possible critical approaches to the texts and the identification of the formal structures which govern the novel will be an integral part of the course, as will a consideration of the novel’s relationship to cultural and historical changes in the period.

Students who achieve high levels of academic excellence (minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5) have the option of taking specially designated Honors Courses. These may also include occasional interdisciplinary seminars open only to such students. More frequently, regular John Cabot University courses may be offered with an option of taking them for four academic credits as Honors Courses. Students who register for such courses as Honors Courses must complete additional assignments (e.g., research papers or portfolios) in which they delve more deeply into the subject matter in question. These additional assignments are graded on a "grant of Honors credit/no grant of Honors credit" basis and are not calculated into the final grade for the course. For the granting of Honors credit, students should produce work of a quality that would receive a B (3.00/4.00) or higher and this will be noted on their transcripts. Students taking a course as an Honors Course also enjoy additional mentoring time with the instructor. Instructors for Honors Courses are chosen by the Dean of Academic Affairs in conjunction with the Department Chair, based on their expertise and teaching excellence.

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 2016

Week 1

Tues. Jan. 19 Introduction to the Course and Requirements

View Simon Schama’s History of Britain: Victoria and Her Sisters PLEASE VIEW THIS EPISODE -- ON RESERVE in LIBRARY
Read: Jane Eyre Chapters 1-4 for Thursday

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. 21 Last Day to Add/Drop

Jane Eyre Chapters 1-4

Week 2

Assignment of Presentation Topics and Schedule

Tues. Jan. 26

Jane Eyre Chapter 5-15

Thurs. Jan. 28

Jane Eyre Chapter 16-26

Week 3

Tues. Feb. 2

Jane Eyre Chapters 27-33

1. Seminar: Phrenology and Victorian Racial/Cultural Theory

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

Due Today: Send me an email of your Works Cited page in proper MLA format for your forthcoming essay. In addition to the novel itself you should be citing at least 3-4 peer-reviewed academic sources from books and periodicals available on JSTOR or PROJECT MUSE.

Thurs. Feb. 4

Jane Eyre Chapters 34-38

2. Seminar: Victorian Attitudes to Suttee and Suicide (See Victorian Web)

Week 4

Tues. Feb. 9

Great Expectations Vol. 1 Chapters 1-9

Thurs. Feb. 11

READ Great Expectations Vol. 1 Chapters 10-20

3. Seminar: Victorian Transportation of Convicts to Australia and the Case of George Barnwell

Week 5

Tues. Feb. 16 FIRST ESSAY DUE

Great Expectations  Vol. 2 Chapters 1-15

4. Seminar: Darwin's ideas of evolution and Samuel Smiles's philosophy of Self-Help: Can a gentleman be made?

Thurs. Feb. 18

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. 23

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

Thurs. Feb. 25 MID-TERM EXAM (Proctored)

Week 7

Tues. March 1

Wilkie Collins The Moonstone Prologue and First Period

Thurs. March 3

The Moonstone

WEEK 8

Tues. March 8

The Moonstone First Period

5. Seminar: Constance Kent Roadhouse Murder Case of 1860 (Broadview Appendix B) and The Major Murry/Northumberland Street Case of 1861 (Broadview Appendix C)

Thurs. March 10

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

6. Seminar: Exeter Hall and the Philanthropic Movements of the mid-Victorian period

Week 9

Tues. March 15 The Moonstone Third Narrative (Franklin Blake)

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

Thurs. March 17

The Moonstone Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Narratives and Epilogue and "A Sermon for Sepoys" (Appendix D)

Week 10

Tues. March 22

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

7. Seminar: Victorian Attitudes to Psychology -- The Science of Split Personalities (Broadview Appendix K)

Thurs. March 24

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

8. Seminar: Ideas of Degeneration and Crime and the Jack the Ripper Case

Week 11 SPRING BREAK March 28-April 1

Week 12

Tues. April 5

Arthur Morrison Child of the Ago

9. Seminar: London's East End Slums in the 1890's compared to London of the 1880s

Thurs. April 7

Arthur Morrison Child of the Jago

Week 13

Tues. April 12

Arthur Morrison Child of the Jago

Thurs. April 14

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapters 1-4

Week 14

Tues. April 19

The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapters 5-10

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

Thurs. April 21

The Picture of Dorian Gray  Chapters 11-15

(See selections from Criminals, Idiots, Women, and Minors, including  Eliza Lynn Linton "The Girl of the Period,"The Modern Revolt" "The Wild Women: as Politicians," The Wild Women: as Social Insurgents")

SECOND ESSAY DUE

Week 15

Tues. April 26

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"

Thurs. April 28 Last Day of Class

Meet at the Protestant Cemetery for field trip and Summing Up