English 2300
Women’s Literature Through the Ages
Spring 2012
Instructor: J. Grimes
Days & Time: January 17 – May 17 online
Units: 3
CRN: 21676
Student Contact Hours: TW 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Use the
E-mail: jgrimes@taftcollege.edu
Phone: 661. 763. 7721
“Private Message” under the Discussion and Private Message
tab).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This analytical and chronological survey of women’s literature spans across centuries, continents,
and cultures. It unveils the representation of women through the lens of gender and equality,
providing a pluralistic awareness of women’s roles. The course analyzes women’s literature in
short stories, poetry, drama, and essays and compares competing ideologies of women through
historical, political, religious, sexual, and socio-cultural contexts. Ideas are explored through indepth reading, discussion, research, and writing.
Prerequisite: Completion of English 1500 with a grade of “C” or better.
REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
 Gilbert, Sandra M., and Susan Gubar. The Norton Anthology of Literature by Women: The
Traditions in English. 3rd ed. Vols. 1-2. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2007.
 Carlson, Kamala, and Jessica Grimes. Grammar Cards, 3rd ed. 2011.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of English 2300, the student will be able to perform the following:
o evaluate college-level material from a variety of sources,
o recognize significant women writers,
o differentiate works by women writers in all genres,
o identify major themes and issues in women's literature,
o recognize major political, social, economic factors which shaped women's literature,
o synthesize and evaluate scholarly sources to develop writing,
o compare and contrast styles of individual writers,
o define characteristics of women's literature, and
o recognize key elements of fiction: setting, plot, character, symbol, and theme, and
o apply professional criticism to readings.
COURSE SLOs:
At the end of the course, a successful student should be able to do the following:
 differentiate works by women writers in all genres;
 identify patriarchal and feminist ideology in women’s literature;
 use feminist criticism to interpret work produced by and about women;
 synthesize and evaluate scholarly sources to develop writing; and
 compare and contrast styles of individual writers.
COURSE POLICIES:
Plagiarism completely undermines the learning process. Taft College defines plagiarism as “any
illegitimate act by any student, such as plagiarism or falsifying documents that would gain that
student an advantage in grading, graduating from the college, or qualifying for entrance into
any academic program” (Student Handbook 125). Any form of cheating, whether it is
appropriating someone’s work or allowing others to use your work, is not acceptable. A student
will receive a zero for the assignment, and other disciplinary measures may be taken depending
on the severity of the offense.
Attendance Policy: Since this is a distance-learning course, attendance is determined by the
coursework you submit. If the first assignment is not submitted by the submission deadline
posted, the assumption will be made that you do not wish to remain in the course, and you will
be dropped from the class. After that date, you are responsible for dropping yourself from the
course unless the deadline for dropping with a "W" has passed.
Assignments and Tests:
Most assignments and quiz deadlines are consistent from week to week and are due by 11:59 on
Sunday night. Note all dates and times. Since late work is not accepted, being on time with
your assignments and following directions are vital to your grade. If any questions or concerns
arise, contact me immediately. You can contact me through private message. A response
can be expected within a day or two at the most. Assignments are also graded within a week
of submission.
Late Work: Since work will be turned in weekly, in some cases biweekly, assignments must be
turned in on time to receive full credit—without exception; therefore late work is not accepted.
Grading Policy:
Essays 47.5% (500 points), Essay 1-75, Essay 2-100, Research Paper - 300
Reading Questions (weekly) 15% (150 points)
Discussion Questions (weekly) 75% (75 points)
Quizzes (biweekly) 10% (100 points)
Midterm 10% (100 points)
Final Exam 10% (100 points)
Etudes Information:
This course is managed by the ETUDES course management system. If this is your first online
course, please be patient. Read all sections listed in the Resources section. Read each screen
as it comes up. Each day, before beginning an assignment, check for messages in the
Announcements area. All assignments, quizzes, exams, and discussions will take place through
Etudes. Etudes works well with most browsers, but Firefox (updated) has been more consistent in
allowing students to download handouts. If any technical difficulty occurs, feel free to contact
the Help Desk staff or me.
2
Please notice the menu bar on the left side of the Etudes screen. The following should be seen:
Home, Schedule, Announcements, Syllabus, Modules, Assignments, Tests and Surveys, Discussion
and Private Messages, Chat Room, Resources, Gradebook, and Help.










Home link is where you will enter each time you log in. If you are enrolled in multiple
classes, you will be able to link to each course by clicking on the class title listed on the
tool bar at the top of your screen.
Course Map provides an overview of the course: the syllabus, modules, discussions,
assignments, tests, and surveys.
Syllabus is where you will find the class syllabus, which is the document you are now
reading. This provides you with an overview of the class, policy, procedures, and due
dates .
Announcements is where you will find any announcements that are posted throughout
the course. Announcements may also be viewed in the Home area displayed when you
first log into the class.
Modules will guide you through this course. You will find chapter themes and key
vocabulary from the readings in this area. When going to the Module area, click on the
weekly Module title, read through the information given, then click the Next link at the
bottom of the screen. Be sure to read through all information because sometimes
pertinent information and tips will be posted.
Assignments, Tests, and Surveys is the area in which you will find your class assignments.
All assignments must be submitted in this area by the due dates listed. Read the
directions carefully and watch the deadlines closely; if you miss a deadline, you WILL NOT
BE ALLOWED TO MAKE-UP THE ASSIGNMENT. Once an assignment or quiz has been
submitted, it cannot be retaken.
Discussion and Private Messages area is where you will be participating in weekly class
discussions.
Chat Room is an area in which you can “chat” with others in the class. We may also join
in on the conversation.
Resources is a place where important documents will be kept for your use. Be sure to let
us know if you would like to see additional information. Feel free to print anything you
need.
Gradebook is the area where grades for all assignments, discussions, quizzes, and exams
will be located.
Statement on Disabilities: Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations
in the class are encouraged to contact Supportive Services at 763. 7841 or 763. 7927, as soon as
possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
3
Learning Outcomes
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Compare and contrast
styles of individual writers
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Compare and contrast
styles of individual writers
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Compare and contrast
styles of individual writers
 Synthesize and evaluate
scholarly sources to develop
writing
 Use feminist criticism to
interpret work produced by
and about women
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Compare and contrast
styles of individual writers
WEEK 1
Friday
January 20
WEEK 2
Friday
January 27
WEEK 3
Friday
February 3
WEEK 4
Thursday
February 10
WEEK 5
Friday
February 16
WEEK 6
ASSIGNMENTS
Julian of Norwich From A Book of Showings to the Anchoress Julian of Norwich 37-44
Margery Kempe From The Book of Margery Kempe 45-59
Aemelia Lanyer “Eve’s Apology in Defense of Women” 82, 85-87
Queen Elizabeth I “The Doubt of Future Foes”, “Ah Silly Pug, Wert Thou So Sore Afraid”, On Monsieur’s
Departure”, “Speech to the Troops at Tilbury” 65-68
Elizabeth Cary From The Tragedy of Mariam, the Faire Queene of Jewry” 96-100
Mary Wroth “Song”, “Song 74”, From A Crown of Sonnets Dedicated to Love 77, “96”, 101-102,
106,108
Quiz 1
Anne Bradstreet The Prologue”, “In Honor of That High and Mighty Princess Queen Elizabeth of
Happy Memory”, “The Author to Her Book”, “To My Dear and Loving Husband”, “A Letter to Her
Husband…”, “In Reference to Her Children”, “In Memory of My Dear Grandchild…” 144-156
Katherine Philips “Friendship’s Mystery”, “To Mrs. M.A.”, “On the Death”, “To Sir Amorous La Fool”, “A
Married State” 169-174
Aphra Behn Oroonoko 178-9, 186-231
Lady Mary Chudleigh From The Ladies Defense: Or, a Dialogue between Sir John Brute, Sir William
Loveall, Melissa, and a Parson 231-233
ESSAY 1 DUE, Quiz 2
Mary Astell From A Serious Proposal to the Ladies 261-266
Lady Mary Wortley Montugu “The Reasons That Induced Dr. Swift to Write a Poem Called the Lady’s
Dressing Room” 266-7, 273-275 *Jonathon Swift’s “The Lady’s Dressing Room” (Internet)
Anne Ingram, Viscountess Irwin “An Epistle to Mr. Pope” 296-299 Alexander Pope “Epistle to a Lady”
(Internet)
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Compare and contrast
styles of individual writers
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Compare and contrast
styles of individual writers
 Synthesize and evaluate
scholarly sources to develop
writing
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Compare and contrast
styles of individual writers
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Compare and contrast
styles of individual writers
Friday
February 24
WEEK 7
Friday
March 2
WEEK 8
Friday
March 9
WEEK 9
Friday
March 16
WEEK 10
Friday
March 23
Anna Letita Barbauld “The Rights of Woman”, “Epistle to William Wilberforce…” 309, 312-315
Abigail Adams Letters to John Adams 315-321
Judith Sargent Murray “On the Equality of the Sexes” 336-345
Phillis Wheatley “Letter Sent by the Author’s Master”, “On Being Brought from Africa to America” 358359
Quiz 3
Mary Wollstonecraft From A Vindication of the Rights of Woman 370-390
Mary Shelley “The Mortal Immortal” 493-6, 500-509
Sojourner Truth “Ain’t I a Woman?” and “What Time of Night It Is” 509-513
Quiz 4
Letitia Elizabeth Landon “The Marriage Vow” 520
Elizabeth Barrett Browning “The Cry of the Children”, “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point”, From
Sonnets from the Portuguese, “A Curse for a Nation” 521-523, 527-531, 533-541, 551-554
Harriet Jacobs From Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl 618-629
MIDTERM
Elizabeth Cady Stanton From Address to the New York State Legislature, 1860 630-631
George Eliot “Silly Novels by Lady Novelists” 975-986
Emily Dickinson Poems 205, 260, 336, 340, 353, 360, 372, 382, 407, 409, 479, 590, 620, 764, 788, 1263,
1470, 1715, 1734
Emily Brontë “Tell me, tell me smiling child,” “I am the only being whose doom,” “Riches I hold in light
esteem,” “Aye, there it is! It wakes to-night,” “Ah! Why, because the dazzling sun,” “No coward soul is
mine” 962, 966-967, 970-971, 973-974 Quiz 5
Christina Rossetti “Song”, “The World”, “Dead before Death”, , “A Triad”, “Goblin Market” 1076-1079,
1081, 1083, 1083-1100
Emma Lazarus “In the Jewish Synagogue at Newport”, “1492”, “The New Ezekiel”, “The New
Colossus”, “Venus of the Louvre” 1237-1241 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Jewish Cemetery at
Newport” (Internet)
Sarah Orne Jewett “The Town Poor” 1242-1251 Quiz 6
5
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Compare and contrast
styles of individual writers
WEEK 11
Friday
March 30
Olive Schreiner From Woman and Labor 1357-1361
Charlotte Perkins Gilman “She Walketh Veiled and Sleeping”, “The Mother’s Charge”, and “The
Yellow Wallpaper”, “Why I Wrote The Yellow Wallpaper?” 1388-1404
Mary Elizabeth Coleridge “A Clever Woman”, “The Other Side of a Mirror”, “The White Women”, and
“Marriage” 1409-1414 Quiz 7
SPRING BREAK APRIL 2-6
 Synthesize and evaluate
scholarly sources to develop
writing
 Use feminist criticism to
interpret work produced by
and about women
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Compare and contrast
styles of individual writers
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
 Identify patriarchal and
feminist ideology in
women’s literature
WEEK 12
Friday
April 13
WEEK 13
Friday
April 20
Virginia Woolf “A Woman’s College from Outside” and “A Room of One’s Own” (“Shakespeare’s
Sister”, “Professions for Women” 247 212-216, 231-233, 237-247
H.D. Doolittle “Orchard”, “Oread”, “Sea Poppies”, “Garden”, “Eurydice”, Fragment Thirty-Six”, and
“Helen” 280-291
Zora Neale Hurston “Sweat” and “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” 347-360
ESSAY 2 DUE, Quiz 8
Toni Morrison “Recitatif” 994-1009
Joyce Carol Oates “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” 1191-1203
Margaret Atwood “Rape Fantasies” and “There Was Once” 1203-1204, 1210-1219
WEEK 14
Friday
April 27
Charlotte Brontë Jane Eyre 633-734 (author’s biography plus chapter I-XIV), Quiz 9
WEEK 15
Monday
May 4
Charlotte Brontë Jane Eyre 734-831 (chapters XV-XXV)
WEEK 16
Monday
May 9
Charlotte Brontë Jane Eyre 831-958 (chapters XXV-XXXVIII), Quiz 10
WEEK 17
6
 Synthesize and evaluate
scholarly sources to develop
writing
 Differentiate works by
women writers in all genres
Wednesday
May 16
RESEARCH PAPER DUE and FINAL EXAM
7