ENGL 434
Seventeenth Century Literature
Catalog Entry
ENGL 434. Seventeenth-Century Literature
Three hours lecture (3).
Prerequisite: ENGL 111 and ENGL 112.
Introduction to varied prose and poetry of 17th century. Special attention to the works of Milton.
Note(s): Humanistic or Artistic Expression designated course.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Study of selected poetry, prose, and drama of Pre-Restoration seventeenth-century England within the historical and cultural contexts of the period. Attention to poetics and poetic theory in general and to seventeenth-century poetics and poetic theory in particular. Consideration of critical approaches to seventeenth-century literature (e.g., historical, formalist, reader-response, feminist, new historicist, Marxist, poststructuralist, etc.)
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Goals and Objectives of the Course
The primary objective of this course is to make students knowledgeable about Pre-Restoration seventeenth-century British literature. To develop a broader perspective on this body of literature, students should also acquire some familiarity with the culture and history of the period. And to deepen their understanding of and appreciation for this literature, students should become acquainted with a variety of critical approaches commonly applied to the works of this period (e.g., historical, formalist, reader-response, feminist, new historicist, Marxist, poststructuralist, etc.).
Assessment Measures
Students’ knowledge of the literature of this period, their understanding of its historical and cultural contexts, and their familiarity with a variety of critical approaches to it may be assessed in a variety of ways including, but not necessarily limited to, the following: written and oral examinations; formal and informal writing assignments; completion of research projects culminating in scholarly essays or in-class presentations; imitations of selected works; oral presentations; participation during class discussions and in peer group activities.
Other Course Information
Review and Approval
October, 2009
March 01, 2021