ENGL 324(F) Topics in Eighteenth-Century Literature
While not a survey, this course will explore a wide range of literature of the eighteenth century. Topics and areas of possible focus might be: the invention of
what we would call public discourse at the beginning of the century, in satires
and in newspapers; the development of the novel; the appearance of a female
reading public, and the associated increase in the number of popular, publishing
women writers; the beginnings of American literature; the literature of feeling
and sensibility; and the ways the growing British Empire is enabled by and depicted in culture. Possible authors studied might include Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, Eliza Haywood, Ben Franklin, Henry Fielding, Fanny Burney, Oliver Goldsmith and Thomas Gray.
Format: discussion/seminar. Requirements: class attendance and participation,
three essays of about seven pages each.
Prerequisites: a 100-level English course, except 150. Enrollment limit: 25 (expected: 20). Preference given to English majors.
(1700-1900)