Description:

In this survey course, the student will study British literature written up to 1800, ranging from the Anglo-Saxon to the Augustan eras, including works by major authors, such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, and Swift. The course will emphasize the relationships among influential writers, their lives and times. Additionally, the student will explore the literary differences between the British culture and one other culture that was governed by the British Empire. Such non-British literary works may be from Australia, India, Asia, and various regions of Africa, or the Middle East. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify and describe numerous works of British literature written prior to 1800.
2. Identify important themes reflected in selected works of British literature that speak to British values, ideals and culture.
3. Sketch the historical setting for selected works of British literature.
4. Outline the history of the English language from the earliest times to modern English.
5. Define several literary genres and literary devices employed by British writers.
6. Speculate on the influence of the lives of selected British writers on their literary works.
7. Evaluate the artistic and aesthetic achievement of individual works of British literature.
8. Discuss the development of the British Empire through 1800.
9. Compare British literature to several literary works from one other culture which was at one time controlled by the British Empire.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. The Anglo-Saxon Era
   A. Outline the development of the Old English language.
   B. Define the Oral Tradition and the Epic. 
   C. Discuss major literary works from the Anglo-Saxon era, such as
Beowulf. 
   D. List the characteristics of oral-formulaic language.

II. Middle English Literature 
   A. Outline the development of Middle English.
   B. Define the genres of the narrative, tale, legend, lyric, proverb,
myth and other story elements. 
   C. Discuss the major works of medieval British literature, such as
works by Chaucer, Mallory, the Robin Hood legend, and the Pearl Poet.
   D. Recount the history and purpose of The Crusades.

III. The 16th Century. 
   A. Outline the development of Renaissance English. 
   B. Recount the invention of the printing press.
   C. Describe the production of the first English translations of the
Bible.
   D. Define the sonnet and recount its development in British literary
history.
   E. List poetic techniques and forms used in Renaissance poetry.
   F. Discuss major literary works from the Renaissance, such as those by
Spenser, Moore, Elizabeth I, and Christopher Marlowe. 

IV. Shakespeare
   A. Recount important biographical details from Shakespeare’s life. 
   B. Define the patterns of tragedy and comedy he employs in his plays.
   C. Describe the cultural milieu in which Shakespeare’s plays were
performed. 
   D. Discuss several of Shakespeare’s major works, such as Hamlet, King
Lear, Twelfth Night, Henry IV, Part I, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, or The
Tempest.
   E. Describe the British explorations of the New World. 

V. The 17th Century 
   A. Recount the political and religious turmoil of this century,
including the great plague and the great fire of London.
   B. Identify significant biographical details in the lives of major
writers from the 17th century.
   C. Discuss the works of writers and poets, such as Lanyer, Herrick,
Marvell, Milton and Bunyan. 
   D. Define the epic and apply this definition to Milton’s Paradise
Lost. 

VI. The 18th Century 
   A. Recount the development of modern English and discuss the relevance
of Dr. Johnson’s Dictionary on it. 
   B. Define satire and speculate about the cultural and political
conditions that give rise to it. 
   C. Discuss the British love of “travel” literature and its
relevance to Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. 
   D. List the key features of a “mock” epic and apply them to several
works from the 17th century. 
   E. Recount the British expansion into the New World and the development
of trade routes. 
   F. Discuss major writers of the 17th century, such as Dryden, Swift,
Pope, and Johnson. 
   G. Compare British culture to one other culture in the British Empire.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Essay Examinations       	40% to 60% 
Paper                  		20% to 40%
Quizzes  	      		10% to 20%  
Discussion                    	10% to 20%
Total grade based on the above ranges adding up to 100%

Grade Criteria:
  A = 90--100%  	 
  B = 80--89%		
  C = 70--79%		
  D = 60--69%		
  F =  0--59%	

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.