Introduction to Women Authors: Women, the Gothic and the Uncanny
ENG 153:101 Summer 2007
T/Th 1:50-5:40
Instructor:Christi Blythin
#9 Morrill Hall
E-mail:
Office hours:Thursdays 12:45-1:45pm (or by appointment)
Required Books:Frankenstein (Mary Shelley) ISBN: 0141439475
Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) ISBN: 0141441143
Mary Reilly (Valerie Martin) ISBN: 0375725997
Rebecca (Daphne Du Maurier) ISBN: 0380778556
The Driver’s Seat (Muriel Spark) ISBN: 0811212718
Course Description & Objectives
Throughout the semester, we will look at how women authors use violence, eeriness, and the supernatural in their writing. We’ll discuss how these texts raise questions about various issues—including sexuality, gender, knowledge, and morality—and we’ll think about the different ways in which the writers explore the idea of power. We will also work on critically analyzing these texts in order to produce essays that present and support strong arguments.
Course Policies
Attendance:Since classroom activities and discussions prepare you for the essays, it is crucial that you attend class regularly. You are allowed one free absence, but keep in mind that you cannot make up missed in-class work. There is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. After the second time you miss class, each subsequent absence will cause you to lose 20 participation points in addition to any points from missed in-class activities. After any absence, it is your responsibility to get caught up on notes, handouts, assignments, or announcements.
Participation:Your participation/preparation score measures the quality of your contribution to the class throughout the semester. You can earn a good score if you arrive prepared each day, actively engage in our discussions, and show respect for the class. Participation points will be deducted accordingly for habitual tardiness, cell phone use/text messaging, evident inattentiveness, disruptive talking, inappropriate behavior, refusal to take part in classroom activities, excessive absences, and any other actions that interfere with class. Students who persist in disrupting the class may receive more severe penalties.
Essays/Assignments:All essays must be turned in on the due date, and late essays will be marked down accordingly. If you cannot attend class, you can e-mail your work to me or place it in my mailbox, but I must receive it on the due date for full credit. Keep in mind that computer glitches, faulty attachments, broken printers, and other related problems are not an excuse for missing a deadline. All other assignments (in-class activities, quizzes, etc.) will receive a zero if they are not handed in at the time I collect them.
Plagiarism:Please note that plagiarism is a very serious offense that will not be tolerated in this class. Students who are caught plagiarizing will automatically fail the course and will be reported to the dean per the University’s policy on Integrity of Scholarship and Grades.
Point Distribution
Daily Work (30%): In-class writings will consist of reading quizzes, group work, and prewriting activities (to prepare you for the essays). I strongly recommend that you keep all of your writings in a folder as they are an excellent resource for essay ideas.
Formal Essays (40%): You will complete two formal essays during the term, each worth 20% of your final grade.
Participation (15%): Because this class is largely based on discussion, your participation is essential. Participating includes not only answering when I call on you but also completing the readings, actively paying attention during class, making a sincere effort during group activities, and engaging in discussions.
Final Exam (15%): At the end of the semester, you will have an in-class essay exam that will ask a number of broad questions regarding the themes of the course. You will answer one of these questions using a text that you have not used for the formal essays.
Tentative reading schedule
I reserve the right to make alterations to the readings as necessary.
Week 1
5/15Introduction to course, syllabus, in-class reading of Braddon’s “The Cold Embrace”
5/17Short stories: Bowen, Oliphant, and Wander (Print from blythin1)
Week 2
5/22Frankenstein: Letters, Vols. I and II
5/24Frankenstein: Vol. III
Week 3
5/29Jane Eyre: Chapters 1-28
5/31Jane Eyre: Chapters 29-38
Week 4
6/5Essay 1 due
6/7Mary Reilly pgs. 3-75
Week 5
6/12Mary Reilly pgs. 76-263
6/14Rebecca Chapters 1-9
Week 6
6/19Rebecca Chapters 10-22
6/21RebeccaChapters 23-27
Week 7
6/26Essay 2 due
The Driver’s Seat pgs. 7-107
6/28Final Exam