ENGLISH 2321.90L: Introduction to British

Literature

Summer I 2025

Internet with Optional Zoomings

Instructor: Dr. Clay Daniel

Office: 233 COAS; e-mail: clay.daniel@utrgv.edu

(best way to contact me)

Internet Site: faculty.utrgv.edu/clay.daniel

I.Course Description: Introduction to British

Literature: A study of several masterpieces of English

Literature

II Texts: OPTIONAL/SUGGESTED

A.The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors, 9th ed. (or 8^th or 7^th or 6^th)

IMPORTANT: Be sure to get the right anthology; there are several versions of The Norton Anthology with a similar name. If you want to use another edition (usually much cheaper), however, you may. Also, all of the works are on the internet or in the library. And I have a textbook on reserve in the library.

B. Course study guide: this guide includes the notes that I use to deliver class lectures.

III. Course Requirements: Your grade will be determined as follows:

A) 3 major exams, including comprehensive final: 33% each of semester grade. Exams will consist of 30 to 50 true‑false/multiple choice/short answers with a discussion question or two. The material that you will be primarily tested over is listed below as COURSE GOALS (and also listed in the study guide). Most of this material will be covered in class; however, questions may be taken from the material only covered in the study guide or, less frequently, only from the readings. Each test will be given as a take-home/open-book. That’s 50% of the exam grade. There’ll also be a much shorter Online Test, based on the take-home, that has a time limit. This is also 50%.

B) BrightSpace EXTRA CREDIT: There is a 30 point total limit for all extra credit.

i. Extra Credit Quizzes: The computer gives you the answer when it grades the quiz, so take the quiz, get the answer, take the quiz again, and make a 100. +10 added to test grade.

ii. Advanced Study Questions are difficult, often covering material that is not covered in class or that occurs in assigned readings (but comes from nonassigned readings in the textbook). The computer will not give you the answer for most of these questions. One-half point for each correctly answered question. Answer in handwriting. Email me the scanned document.

iii. Essay assignments: You can earn anywhere from 1 to 5 points, depending on the quality of the essay.

iv.

TENTATIVE OUTLINE OF COURSE WORK:

CHECK BRIGHTSPACE CALENDAR/ANNOUNCEMENTS

FOR CURRENT/UP-TO-DATE SCHEDULE

Week 1---June 9: Introduction to Course. Medieval masterpieces Beowulf, CanterburyTales,

Week 2---June 16: Medieval masterpieces, contd. Morte D’Arthur, Ballads, Drama. Exam 1

Week 3---June 23: Elizabethan Theatre: Dr Faustus; Measure for Measure

Week 4—June 30: Elizabethan Theatre, contd.;

Lear and Twelfth Night. Exam 2 on Elizabethan Theatre;

Week 5—July 7: Victorian Novel; Modernism: T. S. Eliot’s Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock.

Week 6—July 14: Study Day and FINAL EXAM DUE

v. Course Policies: All course policies are subject to change to accord with university policies.

1. You can make up one missed major exam. The make-up tests will be given after the final exam.

2. You can provide suggestions or questions to me throughout the semester in person, during conferences, or by posting comments (anonymous allowed) through Class Forum.

3. Be aware of current university policies on drops and changes-of-grade. Be particularly aware that you are responsible for having the course dropped by the appropriate date.

4. Post-Course Policy: The material taught in this course is covered by a kind of informal "warranty." If you pass this course with a "C" or better, please feel to ask me any questions---throughout your academic career---on any material covered in this course--especially material whose lack of understanding interferes with your doing well in other classes.

5. University policies concerning cheating/plagiarism will be enforced. These penalties are severe, and you should be aware of them:

CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

v The first confirmed violation of academic dishonesty

(as defined in HOP section 5.5.2) by an undergraduate student will result in the following action:

Ø The recommended penalty will be an F for the course and completion of an educational program on academic integrity. If the matter is taken to a hearing officer, the academic penalty imposed will consider any recommendation of the faculty member involved.

Ø The student will be informed that a second violation may result in suspension or expulsion.

Ø A copy of the sanction letter will be forwarded to the student’s academic chair.

v The second confirmed violation of academic

integrity by an undergraduate student (or first by a

graduate student) will result in the following action: Ø The recommended penalty will be an F for the course and suspension or expulsion. If the matter is taken to a hearing officer, the academic penalty imposed will take into consideration any recommendation of the faculty member involved. Ø If expelled, the student’s transcript will contain the notation, “Expelled for Academic Misconduct,” along with the applicable date. Ø A copy of the sanction letter will be sent to appropriate academic officials.

Also be aware of the “Honor Code: As members of a community dedicated to honesty, integrity, and mutual respect in all interactions and relationships the students, faculty and administration of our university pledge to abide by the principles in The . . . Honor Code.”

6. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Services office for a confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic accommodation.

7. Email me. If you must call (not a good idea), see me and I’ll give you a number.

8. If you email me, either with questions or material, expect an answer within 48 hrs., except on weekends. If I don’t respond, I didn’t receive it.

9. Often the class, at the beginning of the semester, changes to a different classroom. Since it takes time officially to process this change, the change might not appear on the Assist system. If you can’t find the classroom (students almost always have), contact me (or the English Department).

10. Finally, “The new university policy requires all email communication between the University and students be conducted through the students' official University supplied . . . account. Therefore, please use your . . . assigned [account] for any future correspondence with UTPA [UTRGV] faculty and staff”.

Student Learning Outcomes and Instructional Goals for Sophomore English Courses

A. State/Institutional Goals: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Exemplary Objectives for Humanities and Performing Arts:

1. To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.

2. To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.

3. To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.

4. To engage in the creative process or interpretive performance and comprehend the physical and intellectual demands required of the author or visual or performing artist.

5. To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.

6. To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the humanities and arts.

7. To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy, and/or the arts on intercultural experiences.

B. Departmental Goals: Student Learning Outcomes

for English (SLO’s)

SLO 1—Students will be able to interpret and analyze a text using different approaches from literary, rhetorical and/or linguistic theories. SLO 2—Students in certification tracks will