English 1101-04, First Year Seminar: Reading Jane Austen, Autumn 2018, Mon., Wed., Fri. 1:10-2:00 pm, Coe Library room 121, 29 August to 10 December 2018

Abrams, M. H. & Geoffrey Harpham. A Glossary of Literary Terms, 11th edn. (NY: Cengage, paper, 2011). 978-1285465067

Joan Klingel Ray.  Jane Austen for Dummies (NY: Wiley, 2006).  978-0-470-00829-4

Deidre Le Faye.  Jane Austen the World of Her Novels (London: Frances Lincoln, 2003).  978-0-711-22278-6

Josephine Ross.  Jane Austen: a Companion (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2007). 978-0-813-53954-6

Jane Austen, ed. Deirdre Le Faye.  Jane Austen's Letters (Oxford: Oxford University Press, paper, 1997). 978-0-192-83297-9.  See also Molland's online subject index to this edition. 

Blogs and other links:

Jane Austen Criticism Online

Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA)

Jane Austen Society of the University of Wyoming (JASUW)

Jane Austen Society (United Kingdom)

The Republic of Pemberley

Jane Austen Today

Jane Austen's World

Jane Austen Centre (Bath)

Hyper-concordances of all Jane Austen's novels

Course Description:

In an age of revolution, experimentation, and dissolution of received literary forms, Jane Austen rescued the novel and demonstrated its suitability for the most comprehensive and humane literary purposes. With exquisite craftsmanship she raised the stakes for her nineteenth-century successors in the novel, and her audiences have been faithful ever since. We will examine her antecedents in the eighteenth-century, the complex cultural milieu in which she emerged, and the range of critical opinion she has evoked over the past two centuries. Why are people admitting, today more than ever, that they love Jane Austen?

Course Objectives:  

1. Comprehend the history of the language, its grammar and syntax, the arts of rhetoric, and the conventions of expository writing
2. Read extensively in canonical literature while learning to question the status and historical formation of the canon: master literary periods, terms, and major authors
3. Read intensively with formal concentration, discerning the quality of different literary modes and styles: know the historical conventions of literary form and be able to differentiate literary styles
4. Extend these methods of analysis to new works outside the canon and to works outside the sphere of conventional textuality
5. Understand various modes of literary criticism and be able to devise appropriate critical theses both in writing and conversation: know the major schools of criticism and be able to replicate their interpretative strategies
6. Show intelligence, imagination, and creativity in the formation and support of original literary interpretations
7. Relate the history of literary creativity to allied fields of humane activity: politics, arts, philosophy, theory and culture in general.

FYS Course Objectives:

1. Access diverse information through focused research, active discussion, and collaboration with peers.
2. Separate facts from inferences and relevant from irrelevant information, and explain the limitations of information.
3. Evaluate the credibility, accuracy, and reliability of conclusions drawn from information.
4. Recognize and synthesize multiple perspectives to develop innovative viewpoints.
5. Analyze one�s own and others� assumptions and evaluate the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.
6. Communicate ideas in writing using appropriate documentation

Grading Standards:

Annotations, class participation and take home exercises (numerical, total 10% of final grade), Quizzes on assigned readings (numerical, total 10%), essays and presentations (letter-grade, total 25%), final Significant Project (letter-grade, 15%), midterm exam (half objective-numerical, half essay letter-grade, total 20%), final exam (half objective-numerical, half essay letter-grade, total 20%). The final course grade is determined from the weighted total of the above in accordance with usual academic standards (ex: 90-100=A, 80-89=B, etc).  We use straight grades as required by USP for FYS, not +/- grades.

Attendance policy:

University-sponsored absences are cleared through the Office of Student Life.  Attendance is essential in a class like this. You will be allowed one absence by prior arrangement for personal business reasons. For that and any subsequent officially authorized absence you will be required to turn in a two-page essay on the syllabus material for each hour-long class period you miss and must contact me in advance for details. The essay must be turned in the first class period after you return from your absence.  Failure to turn in the essay will signify that you do not intend to pass the class.  This policy accords with UW Regulation 6-713.

Academic Honesty is strictly enforced according to UW Regulation 6-802 "Procedures and Authorized University Actions in Cases of Student Academic Dishonesty".

The Student Code of Conduct may be found by linking to the Dean of Students Office page.

Disability Statement: If you have a physical, learning, sensory or psychological disability and require accommodation, please let me know as soon as possible. You will need to register with, and provide documentation of your disability to University Disability Support Services (UDSS) in SEO, room 330 Knight Hall.

Title IX Statement: UW faculty are committed to supporting students and upholding the University�s non-discrimination policy. Under Title IX, discrimination based upon sex and gender is prohibited. If you experience an incident of sex- or gender-based discrimination, we encourage you to report it. While you may talk to a faculty member, understand that as a "Responsible Employee" of the University, the faculty member MUST report information you share about the incident to the university�s Title IX Coordinator (you may choose whether you or anyone involved is identified by name). If you would like to speak with someone who may be able to afford you privacy or confidentiality, there are people who can meet with you. Faculty can help direct you or you may find info about UW policy and resources at http://www.uwyo.edu/reportit You do not have to go through the experience alone. Assistance and resources are available, and you are not required to make a formal complaint or participate in an investigation to access them.

Any changes to the syllabus will be announced in class or on this course website, where the date of most recent revision follows: