English 221:Literature in English to 1650
MW(F) 9:05-10:00, L 525
Discussion Sessions: Fridays at 9:05 a.m. or 8:00 a.m.

English 221 is the first course in a core historical sequence for the St. Olaf English major: Literatures in English.  This course traces the early development of the English language and its literatures. The course tracks the history of English from Anglo-Saxon, the tongue of conquering tribes coming to the British Islands; through Middle English, the stage of the language under the influence of invaders from France; to early modern English, a stage ushered in by the invention of printing.  It is described in the catalogue as follows:

Students explore poetry, prose, and drama from the earliest periods in the development of the English language and literature--by Caedmon, the Beowulf-poet, Chaucer, Julian of Norwich, Malory, Spenser, Shakespeare, Lady Mary Wroth, Donne, Milton among others--and investigate how literary conventions and social history interact. From sermons to sonnets, students examine 1000 years of literary history and ultimately follow the voyage of English from Britain to the Americas. Prerequisite: Prior or simultaneous study in English 185.

Required Texts:

M. H. Abrams, et al., eds., The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 7th ed. Vol. 1

Nina Baym, et al., eds., The Norton Anthology of American Literature, 6th ed. Package 1, Vols. A & B

Thomas More, Utopia.  Penguin.

William Shakespeare, The Tempest.  Bantam

Recommended Texts:

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.  Edited by Joseph Gibaldi.  Sixth edition.  New York:  MLA, 2003, or another handbook that includes the MLA style of citation.

A Writer's Reference.  Edited by Diana Hacker.  Fifth edition.  Boston:  Bedford/St. Martin's, 2002, or another handbook that treats manuscript form, composing and revising, punctuation, grammar, and style.

A Bible (any edition)

Goals:

--to be conversant with the major works and authors of literature in English until 1650, their cultural contexts, historical developments, distinctive themes and motifs

--to understand the development of the English language from its roots through the middle of the 17th century

--to read, respond to, interpret, and evaluate this literature, in discussion and in writing

--to become excited about early literature, literature written in cultures distinctly different from our own

--to appreciate poetry of early English literature and how it works

--to become acquainted with the library materials available for further study of early literature

Student Responsibilities:

1. Complete the reading assignments according to the class schedule, attend class, and complete written work on time.  Students who miss more than three classes can expect a reduction in their final grade.  Coming into class late is not acceptable.

2. Participate actively and orally in class, both in Monday/Wednesday lectures and Friday discussions.

3.Give a "lyric-a-day" presentation.

4. Watch videos of two medieval mystery plays (Sunday, October 10) and attend bibliographic instruction sessions for two different periods of early English literature (see syllabus for dates)

5.Write one micro-essay (400 to 500 words, typed, double spaced) on Anglo-Saxon literature.

6.Write a 1000 to 1250 word analytical paper on Chaucer's language in The Canterbury Tales.

7.Write a 1000 to 1250 word analytical paper on either The Faerie Queene or The Tempest.

8.Complete a library project on your lyric-a-day poem.  The library project is due a week to 10 calendar days after the lyric-a-day is presented in class.  Any project received later than 10 calendar days after the lyric presentation will be docked 1/3 of a grade per day late.

9.Write a mid-term exam (which will include recitation of a passage from Chaucer) and a final exam.

10.Retain your graded copies of all work until the final exam.

11.Uphold academic integrity.  For exams, you will sign the Pledge to testify that you have not participated in or witnessed any dishonest work.  For papers, rely only on your own ideas.  We do not want you to use any secondary criticism as you write any of your essays.  If you have any questions about plagiarism or the parameters of the Honor system, first consult the section on "Academic Information" in The Book. If you have further questions, please ask, and we will be happy to answer your questions, because you are, ultimately, responsible for knowing what constitutes academic integrity.

12.All work is due on the dates announced.  With the exception of micro-essays, which will never be accepted after the due date, late work will be accepted up to a week late but will receive a reduction in grade (as in point #8).  NO WORK will be accepted after the last day of class.

Exceptions may be made for serious illness or for other reasons of similar import, only with the involvement of the Dean of Students' Office. If you have a documented disability that will impact your work in this class, please contact us to discuss your needs.  Additionally, you will need to register with Student Disability Services located in the Academic Support Center in Room 1 of the Old Main Annex.  All such discussions will be confidential.

Grades

Your grade for the course will be based on these elements in approximately the following proportions:

Attendance & participation                                          10%

Lyric-a-day & Anglo-Saxon micro-essay                     10%

Chaucer paper                                                            15%

Faerie Queene or The Tempest paper                          15%

Library project                                                            15%

Mid-term                                                                    15%

Final                                                                          20%

                                                                                 100%

The instructors reserve the right to adjust your course grade based on attendance, participation in discussion, timely submission of written work, and improvement.