Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - ENGL 203 D100

Early Modern Literature (3)

Class Number: 4475

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Tue, Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 13, 2018
    Thu, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Two 100 division English courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A survey of the literature of the period from 1485 to Milton. Students with credit for ENGL 204 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Early Modern Literature is literature written in Early Modern English, the phase of the language coinciding roughly with the Tudor and early Stuart periods of English history between Middle English and Modern English. This period lies at the heart of English literature: Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson for drama, Milton for epic poetry, and a host of poets from Spenser and Sidney to Donne and Herbert. While there is prose writing during this period, the rise of the novel post-dates the Early Modern period, and the concentration of the course is on drama, verse, and essay.

This period also saw an enormous shift in the English political and social landscape. The medieval period comes to and end; Wales is formally incorporated into England by Henry VIII. Elizabeth gave the nation a long period of political stability following years of turmoil, and after her death a single monarch ruled over both England and Scotland. English literature began to look outward to the wider world, moving to a prominent place on the world stage. Early Modern Literature is really the foundation of modern literature, and knowledge of this period is essential to understanding who we are now as well as then. This course examines the way that the poets and dramatists tackle great themes of philosophy, religion, human nature, and a changing world.

Grading

  • Author Presentation (Tutorial) 8%
  • Bibliography and Article Review 12%
  • Midterm Exam 20%
  • Final Paper Introduction (200–300 words) 10%
  • Final Paper (1400–1800 words) 17%
  • Final Exam 20%
  • Participation 13%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Joseph Black et al., eds. The Broadview Anthology of British Literature Volume 2: The Renaissance and the Early Seventeenth Century – Third Edition (Broadview Press, 2016).

ISBN: 978-1554812905

  • There will be additional short readings available online, through the SFU library website and / or through Canvas.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS