Brian A. Connery, connery@oakland.edu
522 Wilson Hall, ext. 2266
Office hours: M 1-2, T 10-11, Th 10-11, and by appointment

Course Description: When Charles II was restored to the English throne in 1660, one of his first actions was to re-open the theaters closed by the Puritans during the Interregnum, thus initiating a period of English drama arguably as lively and rich as the Elizabethan and certainly unmatched by any other period. The introduction of actresses to the English stage and the rise of the first coterie of women playwrights changed the traditions of English theater forever. The Restoration period is known primarily for witty and lively aristocratic comedies, which we'll survey in detail. Subsequently, we'll explore the ways in which the rise of sentimentalism in literature altered the history of the English drama. The playwrights we'll read include Aphra Behn, Mary Pix, William Wycherley, George Etherege, George Farquhar, John Gay, George Lillo, Hannah Cowley, Elizabeth Inchbald, and Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Students will write a report and class presentation, a short discussion-starter paper and presentation, two take-home exams, and a term paper. Regular attendance and participation in discussion are assumed.

Texts: Behn, THE ROVER; Lawrence, ed. RESTORATION PLAYS (RP); Lindsay, ed. THE BEGGAR'S OPERA AND OTHER EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY PLAYS (BO&c); Rogers, ed. THE MERIDIAN ANTHOLOGY OF RESTORATION and EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY PLAYS BY WOMEN (18thCPbW).

Policies: Faithful attendance and regular participation in class are expected.

Students with special needs are welcome to discuss them with me. Some services for students with special needs are available through the Office of Special Advising, 144 Oakland Center.

The grade of Incomplete is available only to students who have demonstrated regular and steady progress in the course but for whom unforeseeable and uncontrollable circumstances make impossible the timely completion of the course.

Students suspected of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students for consideration of the Academic Conduct Committee of the University Senate. Cheating or plagiarism on any course assignment may result in failure for the course. For further information, please see the section on "Academic Conduct" in the Schedule of Classes.

Major Assignments:

The following simple formula will determine your final grade for the course:

Report	15%
Discussion-starter	10%
Mid-term exam (2/20)	20%
Term paper (4/8)	25%
Final exam (4/22)	20%
Participation	10%
	100% Final grade

Schedule: Unless we get very tired very fast, we will adhere to the following schedule. If a class meeting is canceled for any reason please continue reading according to the schedule.

January
Tu	7	Orientation
Th	9	Country Wife, Acts 1 and 2 (RP)
Tu	14	Country Wife, Acts 3-5
Th	16	Man of Mode, Acts 1 and 2 (RP)
Tu	21	Man of Mode, Acts 3-5
Th	23	Rover, Acts 1-2
Tu	28	Rover, Acts 3-5
Th	30	Venice Preserv'd, Acts 1-2 (RP)
February
Tu	4	Venice Preserv'd, Acts 3-5
Th	6	Spanish Wives, Acts 1-2 (18thCPbW)
Tu	11	Spanish Wives, Acts 3-5
Th	13	Way of the World, Acts 1-2 (RP)
Tu	18	Way of the World, Acts 3-5
Th	20	Midterm examination is due
Spring Break
March
Tu	4	Beaux' Stratagem, Acts 1-3 (RP) Prospectus for term paper is due.
Th	6	Beaux' Stratagem, Acts 4-5
Tu	11	Conscious Lovers, Acts 1-3 (BO&c)
Th	13	Conscious Lovers, Acts 4-5
Tu	18	Beggar's Opera, Acts 1-2 (BO&c)
Th	20	Beggar's Opera, Act 3
Tu	25	London Merchant, Acts 1-3 (BO&c) Draft of term paper is due.
Th	27	London Merchant, Acts 4-5
April
Tu	1	Such Things Are (in its entirety) (18thCPbW)
Th	3	School for Scandal, Acts 1-2 (BO&c)
Tu	8	School for Scandal, Acts 3-5 Term paper is due.
Th	10	View School for Scandal in class
Tu	15	Belle's Stratagem, Acts 1-3 (18thCPbW)
Th	17	Belle's Stratagem, Acts 4-5
Tu	22	Final exam is due in my office (522WH), 3:30-6:30

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