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Course Details

Summer 2013ENGL 707.P1MW6:00 - 8:40FO237 William Baker

Title: SEMINAR: TOPICS IN LITERATURE

Course Description: Seminar devoted to advanced study of special topics and periods of literature. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 semester hours when topic varies.

PRQ:

Detailed Course Description:Why do we still read, and are fascinated, by Jane Austen? Why is she still meaningful in the second decade of the 21st century? What is her textual life and what has it meant to previous generations? These will be a few of the issues investigated during the seminar. We shall focus on close readings of some of her work from eclectic points of view and approaches. Other areas of investigation may include screen adaptations of her work, the "cult of Jane Austen," Jane Austen on the web, readings in the work of contemporaries such as Ann Radcliffe, Frances Burney, Sir Walter Scott and others, readings in Jane Austen's juvenilia and other writings.
Course Requirements:

1. Compulsory attendance (from 6:00pm-8:40pm) and completion of all class assignments.

2. Oral reports/presentations (to be handed in) form the foundation for the final paper.

3. Following the class schedule, reading all assigned texts (there will be announced and

unannounced "fun" quizzes on the reading).

4. Constructive class participation.

5. A final research paper/project (c.20 pp. or the equivalent) handed in the final week.

NO EXTENSIONS!!!!

6. All sources for papers and presentations must be acknowledged.

7. NO late submissions. NO extensions.

8. No cell phones.

9. Flexibility, the willingness to embrace research and topics, which hopefully will arise

during the course of the semester.

Required Texts:

Texts: The most recent Oxford World's Classics, Jane Austen. The Broadview Editions are also highly recommended. Texts to be discussed will include Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Also Jane Austen, Catharine and Other Writings, ed. M.A. Doody and Douglas Murray, Oxford: World's Classics.


Notes:

Those who think they need special accommodations please contact Dr. Baker.


If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Baker at 815-753-1857. When leaving a message on my voice-mail, be sure to leave your area code as well as your telephone number. You may also email me at wbaker@niu.edu

Office: 207B (Second Floor) Founders Memorial Library

Office hours are by appointment before and after class sessions.

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