Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - ENGL 213 D100

Reading Across Media (3)

Class Number: 2664

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    12 units or one 100-division English course.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores texts in relation to their different material forms, including oral, manuscript, print, film, and digital media. May be further organized by methodology (e.g. book history, textual scholarship, media studies, adaptation studies, digital humanities), historical period, or genre. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

The Eighteenth Century in Contemporary Cultural Memory: From 'Burns Night' to 'Bridgerton'

This course introduces students to Cultural Memory Studies in order to consider how and why the memory of the eighteenth century continues to live on in the literary and popular culture of the present moment. We will examine several different case studies that provide examples of the ways in which the eighteenth century is currently being re-presented: contemporary “Burns Night” celebrations of the poet Robert Burns, including Vancouver's own Gung Haggis Fat Choy celebration; Esi Edugyan’s novel Washington Black, which has many parallels to The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano (1789), the first published account by a formerly enslaved Black writer; the 2020 film Emma which director Autumn de Wilde based on Jane Austen’s 1815 novel. We finish by taking a brief foray into Bridgerton, the successful Netflix series that first aired in 2020. In each case, we read and analyze the original eighteenth-century texts and contexts behind these works, examining how they are reiterated, reused and/or reinterpreted in the present, often to address questions of gender, class and race. What is it about the eighteenth century—or about how we perceive it—that remains pertinent and compelling to us now? 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

-analyze the representation of the eighteenth century in the present, employing Cultural Memory Theory
-analyze a variety of literary and popular texts from the long eighteenth century, paying attention to the cultural contexts in which they were produced
-develop communications skills (written and oral) and critical thinking skills

Grading

  • In-class portfolio work totalling 8-10 pp 15%
  • In-class Midterm exam 35%
  • Tutorial Attendance Preparation and Participation 10%
  • Final exam 40%

NOTES:

In response to the pervasiveness of AI, this course is focused on developing students’ analog critical skills, including what Marianne Wolfe terms ‘deep reading’ as well as ‘deep listening’ and oral and written communication. Laptops will not be used in lectures; notes for lectures will be provided which students may print and supplement with handwritten notes. Students will need to have print/paper copies of all reading material for use in lectures, tutorials, in-class work and exams. Exams will include short answers as well as essay-based questions. NO AI use for assignments for this course. 
Mid-term exam: 3 questions [300 words min.] and 1 essay [1200 words min.]
Final exam: 4 questions [300 words min.] and 1 essay [1200 words min.]

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Equiano, Olaudah. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. Broadview Edition. 
ISBN: 139781551112626

Austen, Jane. Emma. Broadview edition. 
ISBN: 139781551113210

Edugyan, Esi. Washington Black. Harper Collins pb.
ISBN: 139781846689604

Poems and prose by Robert Burns will be available on the Canvas site. Students will need to print out the material to use in class and in exams. 

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:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.