LIT207: British Literature I
This course focuses on British literature from its origins to the late eighteenth century. It emphasizes critical reading and analysis of selected fiction, poetry, drama, and essays.
Most Recent Syllabus (Spring 2021)
I typically teach this as a survey course moving around genres and styles. In the future I am going to focus in on 1-2 longer works (Likely this would be Paradise Lost and Sir Gawain) and then build a schedule of shorter fiction, poetry, and non-fiction around it. I need more next time from the 18th century too.
Poetry
Dream of the Rood
Beowulf
Short Fiction
General Prologue by Geoffrey Chaucer
Pardoner's Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer
Knight’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer
Wife of Bath Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer
The Miller’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer
Longer Works
Paradise Lost by John Milton
Utopia by Thomas More
King Lear by William Shakespeare
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Non-Fiction
Book of Margery Kempfe
Julian of Norwich
A variety of selections from the Norton anthology