CHANNEL FIRING ESSAY
This paper represents your own shot at contributing to the on-going process of canon formation in BVL. My BRL calendar features a whole unit of student-selected readings and presentations (dubbed the Canonball Unit); it is the centerpiece of that course, and the students’ opportunity to add a lasting legacy to the course in that I work in at least one text from each and every student into the instructor-assigned readings for the next iteration of the course.
Here, in BVL, there are more years to cover and therefore not enough space for a full-fledged student-run unit, but I do include a similar sort of project. Your Channel Firing essay asks you to write a paper on one or more texts from our two anthologies that have not been assigned by yours truly during the course of the semester. You will need to craft a thesis arguing for the critical significance of your text(s) relative to one or more of our four main topical focus points (Religion and Science, Victorian Ladies and Gentlemen, Travel and Empire, and Aestheticism). This is your opportunity to explore around, perhaps find a writer we have not read anything by yet, or turn to one of our writers from whom you wished we could have read more selections. It is also your opportunity to nominate your selection(s) for inclusion in the instructor-assigned readings of the next iteration of BVL.
The BRL Canonball project has two components (an oral presentation and a short essay). As we, again, do not have time/space for multiple days devoted to in-class presentations, your essay will not have an official oral presentation component to it. You all will, however, have the opportunity to present your paper/ideas informally in a small group setting on the lastclass meeting of the semester. Your Channel Firing essay will be due on this day, RD04. Papers must be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date to be considered on time; I do not accept papers by email. A late paper will have its grade knocked down one full level (that is, from A to B) for each class meeting that passes without your turning it in (beginning with the due date meeting) unless I grant you an extension ahead of time.
This essay should be 750-1250 words in length. Turning in work falling outside the parameters of the word count requirements also will negatively impact your grade. Please include your word count somewhere on the essay. All papers should be typed and double spaced, with one-inch margins, in Times New Roman 12 (or equivalent font/point size). All papers also should be pledged. Lastly, as with the class summary, you must post this essay to our course blog, in addition to turning in a hard copy to me; this should be done by the paper due date as well.
I will grade your Channel Firing essay on the accuracy of its content, as well as on all the basic qualities of a successful essay—including but not limited to clear thesis statement, strong organization, logical paragraphing, coherent and appropriately developed presentation, successful integration of quoted material (if applicable), grammatically correct writing, and a mature sense of style. This essay will be worth 20% of your final grade.
Ready! Aim!! Fire!!!