01   TTH8   CAC   71223   SCHMIDT   SC-220

This course examines various works from several different genre all produced during the Victorian British Era.  Much attention has been paid in the past to the literary, cultural and historical significance of Victorian novels, however decidedly less critical attention has been devoted to the lesser known works of Victorian theatre—both legitimate, or state sanctioned, and the so-called illegitimate theatre which subsisted in the shadows of the legitimate, mainstream theatre houses.  Additionally, this course will examine the place of the essay as form in Victorian culture, penned by such authors as Matthew Arnold, Thomas Carlyle and Thomas Malthus. And of course the Victorian novel will be treated in depth with specific focus, as in much of the other material, on the class politics and role of industrialization and with “historicizing” these works’ roles and context in this specific cultural moment. Students can expect to encounter in this class novels by George Eliot, Jane Austin and Charles Dickens.  From Victorian theatre we may examine The Bells by Leopold Lewis, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Octoroon as well as essays by the above-named figures, a well as several works of Victorian poetry.

Grades will be determined by a combination of 10 weekly response papers of one page each, three shorter papers (5 pages each), one longer paper (7 pages), classroom participation and attendance a well as occasional classroom exercises.