City College of San Francisco
Fall 2015
English 46A: Survey of English Literature, part 1:
The Anglo Saxons through Milton
English Literature from the 8th Century (or so) to the 1660’s (or so)
Instructor: Dr. Christoph Greger
Office: Batmale 522
Office Hours: Mon & Wed, 9-10AM; Tue 11-12AM (and by appointment)
Phone & e-mail: (415) 239-3410, cgreger@ccsf.edu
Class Time & Place: MWF 11-12, HC 206
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Major Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course a student will be able to:
A. Demonstrate familiarity with the major genres, themes, and textual concerns of the period
B. Analyze individual texts in relation to the significant historical, cultural, and/or social issues of the era
C. Analyze the content and formal structures of the text
D. Integrate textual evidence and literary criticism when writing essays on key works of the era
Course Texts (Required)
The Norton Anthology of English Literature, volumes A and B.
Note: The Norton Anthology has been the classic text for college surveys of English Literature for decades; I still find
myself returning to my well-worn copy, a PhD and thirty years after I first bought it. However, the Norton Anthology does
come in several rather pricey iterations; the most common is the hefty two volume set, (volumes 1 and 2) that covers the
span of English Literature from the Anglo-Saxon era to the present. Because the good people at Norton realize that few
classes will use the entire anthology, they’ve also broken it down into six separate paperback volumes, volumes A through
F. They are cheaper, easier to carry, and paginated the same as the huge two-volume set. I’ve ordered the first two
volumes (A and B) of the six-part anthology from our bookstore (packaged together for around 45 bucks), but feel free to
order the larger volume if you know you’re going to be studying English or you just want the complete set. There should
be many used copies of both volumes available online, but try to get a clean copy if you go this route, and definitely get the
current, 8th edition.
Other Required Materials
 A notebook dedicated to this class.
 A plain manila folder dedicated exclusively to the writing you'll be doing in this class. Manila folders are available
for a few cents at any stationary or office supply store.
Course Requirements
Readings (or, On the Nature of Survey Courses)
Because a survey course seeks to provide you with an overview of the terrain and territory of a subject, there is always a
tension between breadth and depth; we want to trace out the larger cultural and literary movements within which literature
exists, but we also want to see how individual works of literature both embody and diverge from these patterns, to
recognize ways in which they are unique. To accomplish this sometimes tricky task, you’ll find yourself doing two types of
reading. Much of your reading will most likely be passive, in which you read primarily for understanding, to familiarize
yourself with a work. It is important, though, that at crucial moments (for papers and reading logs) you zoom in and read
much more actively – that you annotate, reread, take notes, question the text, perhaps get other perspectives on a subject.
Passive reading provides you with a breadth of understanding; active reading allows for a depth of understanding.
Since there is obviously going to be a lot of reading, it’s very important not to get behind in this class, as it can become
almost impossible to catch up. Try to establish a schedule for yourself allowing 4 to 8 hours a week for reading (depending
on how fast you can read). As you do the required reading, keep your eyes open for texts or ideas that you find particularly
interesting, and that you might want to write about for one of the short papers you’ll be doing in this class. As your
interests develop, you may find that you need to do a little additional reading and investigating around the subject you’d
like to write about; budget time for this into your schedule, as well.
Reading Journals
Keeping a reading journal will provide you with opportunity and incentive for active reading, for a closer examination of a
passage of the text that catches your attention for any reason – that you find interesting, shocking, puzzling, beautiful,
appalling, or that connects in any way to something else you’ve encountered. I’ll be giving you a separate handout
providing more info on what your reading log entries should look like; here I’ll state only that for each day’s assignment I’d
like you to make a brief, intelligent entry in your reading log. Periodically, and without notice, I’ll be collecting your
reading logs; no late reading journals will be accepted, so -- keep your journals updated and bring them to each class! These
do form a significant part of your grade (see below), so do your best.
Papers
Essays are, of course, another opportunity for active reading and study. In this class you will be writing two short papers
between 4 and 5 pages each, one due at midterm and the other at the end of the semester. We'll develop topics in class
together as we discuss each reading, and I'll give out a list of possible topics. Ultimately, though, you're responsible for
coming up with topics that are genuinely interesting to you (and me, of course).
Essay Format
All drafts and essays must be word processed, double-spaced in 10 or 12 point fonts. Margins no larger than one inch,
please. All your work should use standard MLA formatting and citation protocols. I'm assuming, of course, that you'll be
scrupulous with mechanical issues and exquisite in your style.
Class Policies
Attendance: The class will consist of three hours a week. Roll will be taken each class period. You can miss a maximum
of six classes; after that, your grade may be seriously affected and you may be dropped from the course. Note: If you miss
class, you are still responsible for the day’s assignments. Pay attention to the schedule of assignments and talk to your
classmates before or after class for info as to what went on.
Tardiness: Our classes are short, so please be on time. If you arrive to class over 5 minutes late, I consider it a tardy
attendance. If you step out of class for more than 5 minutes, I consider it a tardy attendance. Two tardies equal one
absence.
Late Assignments: If you know that you're going to be unable to meet a deadline, please let me know well in advance.
Otherwise, papers will be marked down a full letter grade for each day they're late.
Class Etiquette: If you are late to class, come in quietly and ask any questions after class. If you miss a class it is your
responsibility to talk to me after class or during office hours to hand in work and collect any handouts. All phones must be
turned off during class!
Plagiarism: Paraphrasing or directly copying any text and using it as your own without proper attribution is plagiarism.
Don't do it; I promise, it’s generally easy to spot. Plagiarism is a serious offense and will result in failure, and possibly
even disciplinary action taken by the College.
Course Grade
Participation:
20%
(Reading journals, class discussions, quizzes, keeping up with the reading, etc)
Paper #1:
20%
Paper #2:
25%
Midterm:
15%
Final exam:
20 %