Overview and Objectives:

This course is intended to introduce you to the Victorian period in general and the Victorian novel in particular. The Victorian era was in many ways the peak period of the novel as a genre. Many of the works that we now look at as "classics" were "popular literature" in the Victorian period.

However, we cannot study the Victorian novel in a vacuum. In addition to the five novels listed below, we will read works of representatives poets and non-fiction writers, and we will also read a few shorter prose-fiction works. As we read and enjoy the work of Victorian writers, we will examine how these writers were reflecting on and responding to their changing world.

List of Texts:

• The Broadview Anthology of British Literature: The Victorian Era (The few short readings not included in this anthology will be available online or on reserve or both. The anthology was chosen for its introductions and background material which will support our discussion of the novels.)

NOVELS:

• Brontë, Charlotte.Villette Penguin 9780140434798
• Dickens, Charles.Bleak House. Norton 0-393-09332-8
  
• Eliot, George. Middlemarch. Norton 0-393-97452-9
• Hardy, Thomas. Jude the Obscure Norton 0-393-97278-8
• Meredith, George. The Egoist. Norton 0-393-09171-6
• Trollope, Anthony. Dr. Wortle's School Penguin 9780140434040

NOTE: We will be reading essays in the Norton Critical editions, and I will also assign background material from the Broadview Anthology. Therefore, it is a good idea to get the editions above if you can. It is less important for the two works for which there are no critical editions. Reading Assignments: Reading assignments are listed in the Schedule of Assignment. Although you got a hard copy of the schedule on the first day of class, there may be changes as the semester progresses. You are responsible for checking this schedule for updates. (In addition to the link above, you may always find the link on the Pipeline page.)

The syllabus is organized around the six Victorian novels listed above. They were chosen because they represent different aspects of the Victorian period and its expression in letters. Additional Victorian reading material is intended to give the greater context of the Victorian period, either by introducing something that is not covered (or not covered enough) by the novels we are reading, or by adding material that supports and develops issues or elements raised by our study of the novels.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to cover everything, and some major aspects of Victorian culture as well as some important writers have had to be left out, or dealt with only superficially. There is no time to go into Victorian drama, for example, or to fully address the topic of sensationalism. There is not enough time to deal with colonialism, racism and imperialism except in passing. Oliphant, Stoker, Swinburne, Macauley, Darwin and Kipling are only some of the many writers that must be left out.

Furthermore, because what we read by each author is only representative of one aspect or stage of that writer's work, we will only get a partial, often incomplete idea of the author's views and abilities. Nevertheless, in studying these six novels and other works, we will gain understanding of the literary and historical period as well as how the Victorian novel fits into the overall development of the novel.

Writing and Research Assignments:

• Journal: Each student will keep a reading journal to be submitted at the midterm and at the end of the semester (at the time of the final exam). The purpose of this reading journal is to give you something to work with in the future as you study other topics or material. This will be an informal writing assignment consisting of random insights, bits of research, rough drafts of ideas, etc. As the term “journal” suggests, I would like this to reflect a daily or semi-daily record of your thoughts about the reading. However, in many cases, you may prefer to organize it by topics (for example: poverty, religion, women, travel, sex, art, politics, whatever) instead of purely chronologically.Please do not look at this as an additional “chore” but rather as an opportunity to start preparing for your paper, exams, and eventually as a resource for further research, writing and/or teaching.(I will not be evaluating this as a “finished” piece of work but as a work in progress.)
  
  
• Seminar paper: A well-researched essay (NOT a report) developing an idea about some aspect of one or more of the works that we are reading for this class. In order to help you write the best possible essay, I will require an essay proposal and I will be available for discussion of rough drafts at least two weeks before the essay is due. (More information will be posted as the date gets closer.)
  
  
• A report to the class: Master’s-level students will simply write a 10-15 minute report on a topic.Ph.D. level students will also select some reading material and will be in charge of the class for 30 minutes or so. Report topics are listed in the Schedule of Assignments [future link] but I may add other topics or omit those in which there is no interest. A few report topics on the schedule are restricted to Ph.D. or M.A. students either because of the type of work involved or the time available. If you wish to do a report on a topic that you are not “eligible” to report on, please check with me and we’ll see what we can do.
  
  
• A midterm and a final exam: Typically, there will be one “in depth” essay and a few shorter essay questions. In all cases, you will have a choice of topic.

Class Format, Participation and Related:

Class runs from 6:00 to 9:00 PM with a 15 minute break at some point between 7:00 and 8:00 pm.    Because the class only meets once a week, I like to have a way for all of us to communicate, continue discussions, ask questions and so forth during the rest of the week. To this end I will give you a choice between a listserv and an .This option is especially useful in the event that we have to cancel class because of inclement weather or some other crisis.

Part of what we will do in this class is discuss the issues that interest us and develop ideas that intrigue us.  Respect for other people’s opinions is essential.  Respect for other people’s right to speak is also important.  Speak up, but don’t monopolize the discourse.  If you are more comfortable writing than speaking, make use of the online discussion option to express your views. However, I hope that everyone will be ready to talk in class.

The time of the break will depend on how the specific class is organized.  Most classes will be divided into two parts, but a few will be divided into three.  Typically, when the class is divided into two parts, the first part will end roughly at 7:30 and the second will begin at 7:45. If the class is divided into three, the first two parts will run from 6:00 to 7:50 or so and the final part will resume at approximately 8:05. There is no specific penalty for absences. However, participation is important, and absences will limit participation. If you anticipate attendance problems or feel that you may need to leave class early most Thursday nights, please sign up for another class.

Please e-mail me at ecasal@mtsu.edu  or phone (X2659) or come by my office (PH 323).