ENGLISH 343-01 Topics in Pre-1800 Literature
Topic: Comic Heroines from Shakespeare to Austen
Fall 2011
James Evans (james_evans@uncg.edu, 3107 MHRA, 334-3282)
Office hours: Monday & Wednesday, 1:30-2:30
Student Learning Goals: At the completion of this course you should be able to
—read British literature from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries with critical attention and
recognize its literary techniques;
—understand better how authors and readers create meaning in comic texts;
—understand aspects of comedy, both in drama and fiction;
—understand better the role of women in comic literature in relationship to such historical and
cultural topics as gender and class.
Texts and assignments for class discussion
William Shakespeare, Much Ado about Nothing (Pelican Shakespeare): Beatrice
August 24, 29, 31
William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (Pelican Shakespeare): Viola
September 7, 12, 14
Aphra Behn, The Rover (Blackboard): Hellena
September 19, 21, 26
William Congreve, The Way of the World (Dover): Millamant
September 28; October 3, 5
First Exam: October 12
Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer (Dover): Kate Hardcastle
October 17, 19, 24
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Rivals (Dover): Lydia Languish
October 26, 31; November 2
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (Penguin): Elizabeth Bennett
November 7, 9, 14, 16
Jane Austen, Emma (Penguin): Emma Woodhouse
November 21, 28, 30; December 5
Second Exam: December 9
Exams: Each exam will consist of several types of questions, including quotations to be
identified, other identifications, and a very brief critical response. You will see samples before
the first exam.
Essay: You will write an essay of about eight pages (approximately 2,000 words) in which you
compare a comic heroine from the first half of the course with another from the second half.
You will receive detailed instructions later. The essay will be due after Thanksgiving.
Course Grade: exams, 60%; essay, 30%; class participation, 10%.
Attendance: Attendance means more than physical presence, so I expect you to be attentive and
involved. Bring your copies of the novels and plays and be prepared to read passages aloud. I
expect you to arrive on time and remain for the full 75 minutes; if you attend only part of a class,
you will be considered absent. After two absences (for any reason), your course grade will be
reduced for each additional absence (for example from B to B- to C+, etc.). Please turn off your
cell phones and close your laptops.
Academic Integrity Policy: You should be familiar with this, especially as it concerns cheating,
plagiarism, and appropriate penalties. I expect you to include and sign the policy statement on
your exams, essays, and notes for presentations. If you cheat or plagiarize, you will receive a
grade of F on the assignment.