Syllabus

Course Number:

ENG 274 AA

Course Name:

Survey of British Literature

Semester Date:

Fall 2015, 15-week semester

TR 12:30-1:45, Fulmer Annex, Rm. 201

Instructor:
Office:

Dr. Mary Wheeling

Arts & Sciences Suite, #6
Fulmer Center Annex
Phone:
302-225-6361
E-mail:
wheeling@gbc.edu
Homepage:
http://www.gbc.edu/faculty/wheeling/index.html
Office Hours:
MW 1:00-3:00; TR 2:00-3:00
______________________________________________________
Textbooks:
Greenblatt, Stephen, ed. The Norton Anthology of English Literature, The Major Authors, 9th ed. NY:
W.W. Norton, 2013. ISBN 978-0393919639
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein, 1818. Ed. J. Paul Hunter. Norton Critical Editions, 2nd ed. NY: W.W.
Norton, 2012. ISBN 978-0393927931
Shakespeare, Macbeth. Dover Thrift Edition or other inexpensive edition; library copies are fine

Course Description:
Students will study the stylistic and thematic characteristics of the important periods of British
literature. Students will become aware of the historical, social, and political contexts for each of the
periods. Students will become familiar with the key figures and major works within each period. (3 hrs.)
Prerequisites:
ENG 175, ENG 176
Course Materials:
Texts listed above, online resources, handouts, and audio-visual materials

Learning Objectives/Goals:
Upon completion of Survey of British Literature, students should be able to
1. Identify key authors and texts of British literary history.
2. Understand and remember key terms and concepts (including critical approaches) used in
literary study.
3. Recognize, describe, and interpret the chronological and thematic development of British
literary and cultural history.
4. Analyze works of literature using the tools of the discipline: close reading, critical thinking,
critical approaches, key terms and concepts, secondary texts, academic writing.

ENG 274 AA: Survey of British Literature Syllabus

Fall 2015, 15-wk semester

Topics Covered:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

The Middle Ages (to ca. 1485)

The 16th Century (1485-1603)
Early 17th Century (1603-1660)
Restoration and 18th Century (1660-1785)
Romantic Period (1785-1803)
Victorian Period (1830-1901)
20th Century and Beyond
Elements of literature
Interpreting literature
Writing about literature

Course Format:
Survey of British Literature will offer lecture, discussion, and activities at every class meeting. Course
requirements (explained below) will include several brief assignments, two essay exams, and a
researched essay.

Policies:
Attendance: Attendance is required.
If you miss more than 25% of the course meetings, you will receive an F for the class. We have
29 required class meetings; missing 8 of theseno matter the reasonwill result in an
automatic failure of the course.

8 absences = automatic F for ENG 274

There is no difference between an excused or unexcused absence. Either type of absence will
count toward the total and will be marked unexcused on Campus Webs attendance page for
efficiencys sake. You do not need to share doctors notes or jury summons with me unless you
feel it necessary. I trust your absence is due to an important reason.
Late arrivals and early departures are disruptive to the rest of the class and will be noted. Three
late arrivals, three early departures, or any combination thereof will count as one absence,
which will be noted on the Campus Web attendance roster on the third days instance. Again,
these will count toward your total no matter the reason.
If you know in advance that you must miss a class this semester (for example, athletic event,
business trip, scheduled medical procedure, etc.), you must notify me in ahead of time so that
any affected workshops or presentations can be appropriately scheduled.
Most of our brief assignments are based on what we do, hear, read, and say in class, so your
presence is vitally important not only for successful learning, but for your grades sake as well.
Last edited, August 25, 2015

ENG 274 AA: Survey of British Literature Syllabus

Fall 2015, 15-wk semester

Late and Missed Assignments

Late Researched Essays will be penalized one letter grade for each day they are overdue.
Missed Brief Assignments cannot be made up. I will drop the lowest BA score.
Make-up Tests
Make-up exams are only permitted for valid emergencies, at the professors discretion. If you
have an athletic event scheduled for the same time as an exam, it is your responsibility to alert
your professor before your absence, in enough time to schedule your make-up exam in the
Academic Resource Center.
Academic Honesty
All courses taught at Goldey-Beacom College are governed by the GBC Academic Honor Code. A
full description of the honor code and related procedures is available on the web at
http://www.gbc.edu/advisement/honorcode.html.
Remember that ignorance of academic integrity or the proper use of sources is no excuse for
violation. Any alleged academic dishonesty in this class will be addressed according to official
procedures, which include reporting the violation to the college.
It is the professors prerogative to determine the appropriate penalty for academic offenses.
Penalties for violations of the honor code in my class can range from a zero on the work in
question to an F for the entire course.
I require that all work submitted be produced originally for this course. Recycling your old
assignments or simultaneously submitting something for ENG 274 and another class defeats the
purpose of our classs unique learning process and gives you an unfair academic advantage.

Semester Grade:
Coursework, Exams, and Papers
Following are descriptions of the major requirements meant to foster achievement of the courses
Learning Objectives:
Brief Assignments (30% of final grade):
Students will complete several BAs including quizzes, memorization activities, and writing
exercises. These will be averaged together to count for 30% of the final course grade. (The
lowest BA grade will be dropped.)
Two Essay Exams (50% of final grade):
The class will take two essay exams, one at the midterm and one at the end of term. Each exam
will count for 25% of the final course grade; together they are worth 50%.
Researched Essay (20% of final grade):
Students will write a researched essay on an approved topic to count for 20% of the final course
grade. This essay will include several preliminary components (topic proposal, conference,
annotated bibliography, etc.), the timely completion of which is necessary in order for a student
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ENG 274 AA: Survey of British Literature Syllabus

Fall 2015, 15-wk semester

to continue with the assignment. Students will use the MLA (Modern Language Association)
documentation style for academic writing in literature courses.

Grading
Grade Weights of Assignments
Assignment Type

Possible Pts. per Value of Type Percentage Weight

Assignment
of Final Grade
Brief Assignments
10 points each
TBD
30%
(lowest dropped)
Midterm Essay Exam 100 pts. poss.
100 pts. total
25%
Final Essay Exam

100 pts. poss.

100 pts. total

25%

Researched Essay

100 pts. poss.

100 pts. total

20%
100%

I follow GBCs undergraduate grading scale for issuing final letter grades
(http://www.gbc.edu/academic/policies-u.html):
A+
A
AB+
B
B-

97-100
94-96
90-93
87-89
84-86
80-83

C+
C
CD
F

77-79
74-76
70-73
65-69
64 and below

Getting Help:
You are encouraged to email or see me in person with any questions about the course.
If you have a physical, learning, or other disability which might hinder your access to or performance in
the class, please see me as soon as possible so we can arrange appropriate accommodations.
At the Academic Resource Center (ARC), you can schedule tutoring, reviews, or proctored tests. Find
ARC Quick Facts and Services (location, hours, appointment procedure, etc.) on this page:
http://www.gbc.edu/arc/index.html. Phone the ARC at 302-225-6245.

Academic Honor Code:

http://www.gbc.edu/advisement/honorcode.html.

Classroom Decorum:
Show that you value your classmates, professor, and the educational process. During class, all mobile
devices should be turned off and put away. No earbuds, headphones, or listening devices should be
worn during class. Take hoods and hats off too, to show respect for individuals and the learning
experience.
Last edited, August 25, 2015