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.

Grading Standards:

Class participation and take home exercises (numerical, total 5% of final grade), Quizzes on assigned readings (numerical, total 10%), essays and presentations (letter-grade, total 30%), final research paper (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).  A poll will be taken at the beginning of the semester to determine whether we use +/- or straight grades.

Attendance policy:

University-sponsored absences are cleared through the Dean of Students office.  Attendance is essential in a class like this. You will be allowed one absence by prior arrangement for personal business. For that and any subsequent officially authorized absence you will be required to turn in a two-page "absence essay" on that day's syllabus material for each hour of class you miss and must contact me in advance for details. The essay must be turned in before the start of the first class period after you return from your absence, and the absence essay itself will not be returned.  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.

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