Course Description
Charles Dickens's work in historical and biographical context; the place of his work in Victorian and contemporary culture, as well as in the history of the novel.
Athena Title
Charles Dickens
Non-Traditional Format
This course is writing intensive, which means that the course will include substantial and ongoing writing assignments that a) relate clearly to course learning b) teach the communication values of a discipline -- for example, its practices of argument, evidence, credibility, and format; and c) prepare students for further writing in their academic work, in graduate school, and in professional life. The written assignments will result in a significant and diverse body of written work (the equivalent of 6000 words or 25 pages) and the instructor (and/or the teaching assistant assigned to the course) will be closely involved in student writing, providing opportunities for feedback and substantive revision.
Prerequisite
Two 2000-level ENGL courses or (one 2000-level ENGL course and one 3000-level ENGL course) or (one 2000-level ENGL course and one 2000-level CMLT course)
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Students will read and analyze a wide range of Dickens's work, including his journalism and short fiction as well as his novels. 2. Students will learn about the historical and social conditions in which Dickens wrote, about his place in the history of the novel, and about his continuing presence in modern culture. 3. Students will develop their abilities to think critically, argue persuasively, and write vigorous prose that adheres to conventional standards of grammar and usage. 4. Students will gain experience with various modes of literary interpretation, especially those that are most relevant to the interpretation of Dickens's work.
Topical Outline
A typical reading list would include a rich selection of Dickens's novels, short fiction, and journalism, as well as biographical and historical accounts of Dickens and his time; part of the course might also focus on adaptations and appropriations of his fiction in contemporary culture. For instance, texts might include Sketches by Boz, The Christmas Books, The Old Curiosity Shop, Bleak House, Little Dorrit, Great Expectations, Charles Dickens's Selected Journalism; a modern biography and works on nineteenth-century history; contemporary fiction (for instance, Peter Carey's Jack Maggs, based on Great Expectations) and film and video adaptations (for instance, the BBC miniseries Little Dorrit). In keeping with the course's designation as writing intensive, students will be responsible for completing a variety of writing assignments dealing with the course material. These may include daily or weekly response papers, critical essays, essay exams, and research papers.