Why did the genre of satire flourish to such an extent in Britain in the eighteenth century, and again experience a resurgence in the early twentieth century? By reading satire from both periods in conjunction, including works by Dryden, Swift, Pope, Rochester, Congreve, T. S. Eliot, Pound, Lewis, Huxley, and Orwell, this course will explore the strategies of satire as a mode of cultural criticism. The issue of whether satire is an inherently conservative or progressive genre will be raised, along with questions of literary form and its deformation. Students will read some literary criticism in conjunction with the primary texts. Requirements: class participation, four papers of varying length (3-4 pages early on, and up to 6-8 pages), and e-mail responses. Prerequisite: a 100-level English course, except 150. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 19). (1700-1900 or Post-1900)

Hour: NOHRNBERG