Course description: The general objectives of HC 202 are 1.) to introduce students to the methodology and vocabulary of literary study, 2.) to explore the relations among literature, the individual, and society, 3.) to enhance skills in reading and writing. This semester, in Literature and Culture of the Restoration, 1660-1670, we will be reading and discussing works written and/or published almost exclusively during this ten year period in order to pursue these objectives.

Confining ourselves to this rather narrow time period will necessarily induce us to read non-canonical works and will thereby preclude our imposition upon these texts of any pre-fabricated ideas about what late seventeenth-century or early Restoration literature in England was like. We will have to sort through the surprisingly diverse material we come upon in order to draw our own tentative conclusions. Because the course does not presuppose any particular conclusions, the reading schedule is subject to change, upon the mutual agreement of students and instructor.

Readings of the literary texts will necessarily be complemented by some attention to the politics, culture, and society of the period. After a bit of initial reading about the civil wars of the mid-century, however, this research will largely be determined by students, who are encouraged through the various writing assignments to bring to the rest of us information related both to your own interests and to the current reading. Students will keep a reading journal and commonplace book, write and present two short reports (500 words), take two examinations, and write a short literary paper (1000-1500 words). Class participation and regular participation in the email discussion list are expected; each student will also be responsible for (re)presenting one of the critical essays on Paradise Lost (pp. 509-674). Collectively, the class will be constructing a website organized as a timeline for the decade; to this end, I am asking that assignments be prepared for submission as both hard copy and as electronic files.

Texts: John Bunyan, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners (Penguin); Douglas Canfield (ed.), The Broadview Anthology of Restoration and Early Eighteenth-Century Drama (Broadview); John Milton, Paradise Lost (Norton, 2nd ed.); Samuel Pepys, A Pepys Anthology: Passages from the Diary of Samuel Pepys, ed. Latham and Latham (U of California P).

Major Assignments: The final grade for this course will be determined by the following simple formula:

Policies: Faithful attendance and regular participation in class and on the email discussion list 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 Disability Support Services, 157 NFH, x3266.

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 on any course assignment may result in failure for the course and suspension or expulsion from the University. Representing anybody else’s work as your own is a form of academic dishonesty. For further information, please see the section on "Academic Conduct" in the undergraduate catalogue.

Classroom Decorum: Everyone in the class is responsible for ensuring that the classroom supports learning: Please arrive on time; try not to distract others; turn off your cell phone; address your comments to the class at large. You are encouraged to participate vigorously, even passionately, in class discussion, but always respectfully to your classmates and your instructor.

LONDON BURNS, 1666

Links to resources on Restoration writers

Miscellaneous links

Schedule: While the major readings (plays, Paradise Lost, Appleton House, and Grace Abounding) can be expected to proceed as scheduled, some revision of additional readings may be undertaken as our interests and hypotheses clarify. If a class meeting is canceled due to climactic inclemency, university facilities failure, or professorial dereliction, please try to remain with the program. Unless we grow very weary very fast, we shall adhere to the following schedule:

January

7 Orientation; guest speaker, via videotaped hookup and the History Channel: Simon Schama , "The Wars of the British 1603-1776,

14 Read excerpts from The Century of Revolution 1603-1714 by Christopher Hill (Norton, 1961) 94-164;

21 Martin Luther King Day, no class meeting

28 Marvell, Upon Appleton House

February

4The Rump; or, The Mirror of the Late Times, by John Tatham. (Broadview 1596-1641) Pepys, 58-82

11 The Committee, by Robert Howard (Broadview 472-525)

18 The Old Troop, by John Lacy (Broadview 946-986)

25 Winter break; no class meeting

March

4 The History of Henry the Fifth (Broadview 2-37)

11 Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan

18 Paradise Lost, Books 1-4

25 Paradise Lost, Books 5-8

April

1 Paradise Lost, Books 9-12

8 Perspectives on Paradise Lost: Norton 509-674)

15 Marriage a la Mode by John Dryden (Broadview 330-378)

22 7:00-10:00 Final examination is due.

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