English 56A: Survey of British Literature

Building and Room Number

Tuesday, Thursday 1:00-2:15
Instructor: Dori Coblentz
Office Hours: Thursdays 2:30-3:30
Office: Room Number
Email: dcoblen@emory.edu
Course Description and Outcomes:
This course covers a millennium of writing in British literature, ranging from its beginnings with
Cdmons Hymn (ca.650) to the late seventeenth century with Miltons Paradise Lost (1674). Students
will learn how to analyze texts in light of major historical movements and comment on the formal
features of the plays, poems, and prose. We will take a literary-historical perspective on British writing.
On the literary front, we will closely read texts to study how they create meanings through such formal
devices as imagery, metaphor, diction, character, and plot. We will also practice recognition and imitation
of generic conventions to use, in context, what we learn from the techniques writers use to produce
meaning. On the historical front, we will explore how the texts we study were influenced by and
influenced the cultures that produced them. We will learn about past ideas, assumptions, and expectations,
considering both what the texts meant in their original context and how they continue to have significance
today.
Through three short papers with imitation and reflection components, students will heighten awareness of
generic conventions and audience. In the final paper, students will choose one of the three short papers to
build on. They will craft an insight from a short paper into an original and compelling argument. Three
exams will test content-knowledge and ask students to apply this knowledge to analysis of the
relationships between texts and the contexts from which they emerge.
Requirements:
Regular attendance and participation in the form of daily reading questions.
Demonstrated knowledge of required reading
Satisfactory and timely completion of four written assignments.
Completion of three exams
Grade Distribution
10% Class Participation and Reading Questions
10% Judith or Beowulf extra episode and reflection paper
10% Celebrity Breed Sonnet paper and reflection
10% Deleted Scene paper and reflection
15% Final argumentative essay
10% Exam 1
15% Exam 2
20% Final Exam (cumulative)
Grading scale

A+ (98-100%)
A (93%-97%)
A- (90-92%)
B+ (88-89%)
B (83-87%)
B- (80-82%)
C (73-77%)
D (62-68%)
F (50%)
A papers have an original and compelling thesis that is clearly articulated and supported effectively
with relevant evidence. The structure is logical and engaging, and the paper is free from grammatical and
mechanical errors.
B papers meet the requirements of A papers, but in fall short in one or two respects
C papers have a thesis of average quality, an argument that is fully presented to the reader, but
obscured by problems with grammar, mechanics, or organization.
D papers have a poor thesis or do not have a thesis at all, lack organization and clarity, and contain
many stylistic, grammatical, or proofreading errors.
F papers have no thesis, poor organization, and many grammatical, stylistic, and proofreading
errors.
Required Texts:
The Norton Anthology of English Literature, vols. A&B. Ed Stephen Greenblatt, et al. 9th ed. New York:
2012.
Shakespeare, William. Comedy of Errors
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Simon and Schuster, 2003.
Class Participation and Reading Questions:
I will gauge your participation in large part on the basis of the 3 reading questions you will submit each
class. The questions are due on my desk at the beginning of each class period. They are designed to help
you think about the texts under discussion that day as well as let me know if you understand them. I will
collect, read, and return your questions without comments except for a check mark at the bottom to
indicate question. You must attend class to receive credit for that days questions.
Note: being well prepared for class means doing all of the readings, thinking about them, and having
something to say about them. Summarizing each readings main argument and highlighting a few
questions that it raises in your notes is a good way to come up with worthwhile things to say.
Papers
Over the course of the semester you will complete four paper assignments. The first three require you to
imitate a genre or specific work, such as adding an episode to Beowulf, imitating the breed sonnet style, or
writing an extra scene for a play (2-3 pages). With these creative papers you will turn in a brief reflection
paper (2-3 pages) describing how you made your decisions. That is, what salient features of style did you
imitate to make your poem feel like the poem you chose to imitate?

The fourth paper will pick up on an insight that you had in the reflection section of one of your first three
papers. Youll develop your observation into an argument (5-6 pages). For example, I noticed that
Shakespeare tends to use tree imagery in his breed sonnets so I used a tree as a metaphor in my breed
sonnet, too might become Shakespeare uses tree imagery in his breed sonnets to accomplish x, y, and z
goals.
Exams
Exams will consist of definitions, short answer questions, and essay questions. The final exam is
comprehensive.
COURSE POLICIES
Essays should be submitted by email to dcoblen@emory.edu before class on the days they are due. Please
use .doc or .docx format and enable Show Markup under the Review ribbon
Attendance Policy
You have three excused absences (any absence may be excused provided that you contact me about it
ahead of time by email). More absences (4-5) severely affect your attendance and participation grade. Six
or more result in the lowering of a full letter grade each absence
Late Policy
Its important for you to be at every class meeting with your readings completed and your reading
questions written. If you cannot meet a deadline you must contact me before the class in which it is due to
discuss the situation. Each essay is to be turned in on time. For each class period late, a full letter grade
will be lowered (i.e. by 10%) unless you have made prior arrangements with me.
Essay Format
We will review and use MLA format for your essays. Essays should be in 12-point, double-spaced Times
New Roman font.
Revision Policy
Because we are covering so much material so quickly and I do not want students to fall behind, I do not
allow revisions. If you get a paper grade you are unhappy with, turn your focus to the next paper and meet
with me to talk about how you can prepare for it.
Classroom and Online Environment
Arrive on time - excessive tardiness will affect your participation grade. You are welcome to use your
laptop, but only use it for notes and other class-related things. Exercise common courtesy such as paying
attention when others are talking and not interrupting.
Academic Integrity:
Obviously, cheating will not be tolerated in this class. Cheating in any part of the course may lead to
failing the course and suspension or dismissal from the university. If in doubt, please consult me. You can

also visit the Emory Academic Integrity web pages at:

http://catalog.college.emory.edu/academic/policy/honor_code.html
RESOURCES
Disability Statement
Emory University complies with the regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and offers
accommodations to students with disabilities. If you are in need of a classroom accommodation, please
make an appointment with me to discuss this as soon as possible. All information will be held in the
strictest confidence. For more information, please visit http://www.ods.emory.edu/ or contact the office
by phone at (404) 727-9877 [voice] or TDD: (404) 712-2049.
Emory Counseling Center
Free and confidential counseling services are available at the Emory Counseling Center.
(404) 727-7450 and studenthealth.emory.edu/cs/index.php
Emory Writing Center
The Emory Writing Center offers 45-minute individual conferences to Emory College and Laney
Graduate School students. Our discussion- and workshop-based approach enables writers of all levels to
see their writing with fresh eyes and to practice a variety of strategies for writing, revising, and editing.
The EWC is a great place to bring any projectfrom traditional papers to websitesat any stage in your
composing process. EWC tutors can talk with you about your purpose, organization, audience, design
choices, or use of sources. They can also work with you on sentence-level concerns (including grammar
and word choice), but they wont proofread for you. Instead, theyll discuss strategies and resources you
can use to become a better editor of your own work.
The EWC is located in Callaway N-212. We encourage writers to schedule appointments in advance as
we can take walk-ins on a limited basis only. We require hard copies of traditional paper drafts and
encourage you to bring a laptop if you're working on a digital or multi-modal text. Please bring a copy of
your assignment instructions, too. In addition to our regular conferences in Callaway, we host Studio
Hours every Tuesday from 7-9 pm in Woodruff Library 214. Studio Hours provide a supportive, focused
workspace and are open to all students. EWC tutors circulate to encourage writers, provide resources, and
address questions. For more information about the EWC, or to make an appointment, visit
http://writingcenter.emory.edu.
Tutoring for Multilingual Students
If you are a multilingual student and English is not your first language, you may benefit from working
with trained ESL Tutors. These tutors are undergraduates who will support the development of both your
English language and writing skills. Like Writing Center tutors, ESL tutors will not proofread your work.
Language is best learned through interactive dialogue, so come to an ESL tutoring session ready to
collaborate!
ESL tutors will meet with you in designated locations on campus for 1-hour appointments, and they will
help you at any stage of the process of developing your written work or presentation. You may bring your

work on a laptop or on paper. For instructions on how to schedule an appointment, links to ASST, and
the policies for using the service, go to:
http://college.emory.edu/home/academic/learning/esl/tutoring/index.html
If you do not have a scheduled appointment, you may use the Academic ESL Skills Lab, located in Room
422 of Woodruff Library (next to the Language Center). To view the lab hours for the current semester,
go to: http://college.emory.edu/home/academic/learning/esl/lab.html .
For information about other ESL services available to undergraduates, go to:
http://college.emory.edu/home/academic/learning/esl/index.html
Disclaimer
This syllabus is provisional and subject to change based on the needs of the class
Schedule
Wk 1

Beginnings

Mon

Introductions. Cdmons Hymn.

Wed

Beowulf lines 1-835

Fri

Beowulf lines 1250-1650 and 2200-2830

Wk 2

Scribes, Religion, Word Games

Mon

Holiday

Wed

Judith and headnote (109-117)

Fri

Lewd Anglo-Saxon Riddles

Wk 3

Knights, Pilgrims, Anchoresses

Mon

Paper 1 due: Extra Episode Judith or Beowulf

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Fitts one and two

Wed

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Fitts three and four

Fri

Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe

Wk 4

Romance and Humor

Mon

Marie de France, Milun, Lanval, and Chevrefoil

Wed

Chaucers General Prologue

Fri

Millers Prologue and Tale

Wk 5

Dead Kings, Embarrassed Carpenters

Mon

Millers Prologue and Tale

Wed

Malory, Morte Darthur 482-496

Fri

Exam 1

Wk 6

Why England Cant Have Nice Things

Mon

Doctor Faustus scenes 1-6

Wed

Doctor Faustus scenes 7-13

Fri

Exam Review and using EEBO

Wk 7

Markets and Marriages

Mon

Comedy of Errors Acts 1-2

Wed

Comedy of Errors Acts 3-5

Fri

Adaptations and Interpretations of Comedy of Errors

Wk 8

Scottish Intrigues

Mon

Break

Wed

Macbeth 1-2

Fri

Macbeth 3-5

Wk 9

Italian Legacies

Mon

Paper 2 due: Deleted scene

Wyatt and Surrey

Wed

Sidney, Astrophil and Stella

Fri

Paper Discussion and Writing Workshop

Wk 10

Carpe Diem, Carpe Noctem

Mon

Raleigh and Marlowes nymphs

Wed

Shakespeares sonnets

Fri

Early Donne

Wk 11

Sacred/Erotic

Mon

Late Donne and Jonson

Wed

Paper 3 due: Celebrity Breed Sonnet

Herbert and Crashaw

Fri

Traherne and Herrick

Wk 12

Religious Dissent and Queenly Prose

Mon

Askew, Foxe, and Tyndale

Wed

Katherine Parrs Prayer Book and Letters of Elizabeth.

Writing Workshop and Exam review

Fri

Exam 2

Wk 13

Early Modern Edens

Mon

Lanyer: Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum, Eves Apology in Defense of Women and
excerpts from Book 1 of The Faerie Queene

Wed

Spenser: Book 1 of The Faerie Queene excerpts

Fri

Milton, excerpts from Paradise Lost

Wk 14

Early Modern Edens Continued

Mon

Paradise Lost

Wed

Paradise Lost

Fri

Paradise Lost, exam review

TBD

Final Exam