Reading
Response Journal (25%)
In a spiral notebook or other binder, record
(by hand or wordprocessing) responses to assigned readings and enter in-class
writings (so bring the notebook to class with you every day). At minimum,
you should have recorded at least one paragraph on each reading; I encourage
you also to note down questions about readings, either factual or more
substantial problems that the reading suggests. The more thorough, informed,
thoughtful, and coherent your responses, the better grade you will receive
on the Journal. I will collect the Journal at least three times during
the term and will comment on and respond to your responses, assigning a
grade to the portion you have completed since I last read through it. Your
Journal can also form the basis for your Critical Reflection.
Midterm
(15%)
At the Midterm Exam on Wednesday, 25 June,
you will be given a country house poem that we have not read this semester.
Your assignment is to write an essay that demonstrates your familiarity
with the features of the genre and the social and cultural phenomena of
early modern England that were mediated by the genre; that is, you should
be able to talk about what kind of cultural work was accomplished through
the country house poem. You will have the entire class period to write
your exam, and you should plan to use the entire time to plan, write, and
proof your essay. Your essay should draw on the scholarly articles and
chapters assigned for this class and should effectively analyze the midterm
poem through comparison and contrast with other poems we have read this
semester. (Use a simple parenthetical citation form to refer to other works.)
Write your exam in a blue book, either large or small, depending
on how fast and how large you write. You may use either pen or pencil;
think legible. The midterm exam will be graded on its demonstration of
familiarity with course readings and themes, complexity of thesis, argumentation,
organization, style, and mechanics.
Term
Paper (including Prospectus)
(35%)
As your major assignment
for this course, you will write a research paper on a topic suggested by
class readings and discussions, drawing on assigned readings and other
scholarly resources. Your paper should make an argument, that is, you should
claim to have some kind of insight about the period and resources and should
make a compelling case that your insight deserves consideration. (You need
not--should not--argue that yours is the only right way to look at the
material.) Here is a reminder about what makes for strong
argumentation. The finished paper should be 10-15 pages long and will
make use of 8-10 articles or books, including at least 5 resources not
assigned as class readings and at least 3 assigned readings
(including poems, if you wish). Use MLA
or Chicago
(Turabian) documentation form. The Term Paper is due Tuesday, 8 July.
Portfolio,
including Critical Reflection (15%)
Write a three-five-page
reflective narrative assessing your career in English literature studies.
If you are a literature major (that is, not a creative writing major, or
English minor, or a major or minor in another department), your reflection
should specifically address your experience with the curriculum of the
major. Everyone should reflect on:
If you are a literature major, your Critical Reflection must be accompanied by copies of two or more essays, totalling at least 15 pages, that you have written in classes here; one (but no more than one) of the essays may be from this class if you like. Do not include fiction or poetry, but essays only; the essays can include instructor comments, but that is not necessary. The entire Portfolio will be turned into the Undergraduate Director for use in assessing the effectiveness of the major (not for assessing you).
Nonmajors will
turn the Critical Reflection only, and it will not go on to the Undergraduate
Director.