Dramatic Literature by Women I

English 2606 Dr. Farnsworth

Term:2017 Winter Time:TTh10:05-11:20a.m. Room:CE315

Office: Campus Centre 232 Tel: 902 563-1250 Email:

Office Hours: MW 1:00 – 3:30 pm or by appointment

Prerequisite: 6 credits of English at the 1000 level

Description:Most drama survey courses deal with what are seen as the major playwrights and their works, which for many reasons are overwhelmingly male. It is often assumed that few women wrote plays before the twentieth century because of the public nature of the stage and the social prescriptions against women speaking and being active in public life. However, from the early modern period to 1900, many women did write successful and even controversial plays, and were often acknowledged as significant playwrights in their own time. This course examines a range of plays by women, including, for example, Lady Falkland’s The Tragedie of Mariam (1613) and Joanna Baillie’s De Montfort (1798), and investigates the intersection of genre, language, gender and sexuality within them as well as the cultural, theatrical and historical context in which they were written and performed.

Method: lectures, class discussions and response papers

Course Goals and Outcomes: In English 2606, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the literary works of women dramatists in England and the history of drama in general before 1900. They will also gain an awareness of the complex relationships among language, drama, society and gender and demonstrate their ability to read and write critically about these ideas.

Grading: The mark for each term consists of 40% for a final exam and 60% for term work which will consist of one in-class essay (15%), response papers (15%) and one essay (30%). Supplemental exams are not permitted.

Policy on Late Assignments: Essays are due by 5:00 p.m. on the due date. Late essays will be penalized 3% per day and essays more than a week late will not be accepted unless accompanied by a medical certificate or the equivalent.Please come and talk to me if there are legitimate circumstances preventing you from completing assignments on time.

Texts:

Finberg, Eighteenth-Century Women Dramatists (Oxford)

Behn, Oroonoko, The Rover and Other Works (Oxford)

Cary, The Tragedy of Mariam (Broadview Press)

Robins, Votes for Women (CreateSpace Independent)

Gore, Quid Pro Quo or the Day of Dupes (Nabu Press)

Inchbald, Such Things Are (Nabu Press)

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Students should make sure that they are aware of the statement on academic ethics in their AcademicCalendar. Any work found to be plagiarized will be dealt with according to University regulations. Students are strongly encouraged to get help with their writing, if needed, from the Writing Centre on campus ( ). The use of any other editorial service or private tutors, however, will constitute plagiarism in this course.

Accommodation: Any student requiring special accommodation should speak with me at the beginning of class. The Jennifer Keeping Accessibility Centre has many available resources to help (

Electronic Devices: All cellphones are to be turned off and put away before class begins. See the CBU policy regarding the use of electronic devices in the classroom in the Academic

Calendar.

Inclement Weather Policy: For CBU’s policy go to

English 2606 Dr. Farnsworth

Assigned Readings

Jan. 5 Introduction and pre-17th century background

Jan.12 Elizabeth Cary, The Tragedie of Mariam (1613)

Jan. 24 Margaret Cavendish, The Convent of Pleasure (1668)

Jan. 31 AphraBehn, The Rover (1677), The Widow-Ranter (1688)

Feb.9 In-class Essay

Feb. 14 SusannahCentlivre, The Busybody (1709)

Feb. 28 Hannah Cowley, The Belle’s Stratagem (1780)

Mar. 7 Elizabeth Inchbald, Such ThingsAre (1788)

Mar. 14 Joanna Baillie, De Montfort (1798)(photocopy)

Mar. 21 Catherine Gore, Quid Pro Quo (1844)

Mar. 28 Elizabeth Robins, Votes for Women (1909)

Mar. 30 Class cancelled

April 4 Exam info

Essay due

NOTE; reading dates are approximate