Greetings!
We're beginning a new year and a new class. I've been looking forward to this class and anticipate some great discussions with the students.
I handed out the syllabus for the class. I've ordered 4 books for us to read together: Everyman (anon), Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare), Great Expectations (Dickens), and Pygmalion (Shaw). We're reading these books in chronological order, and I will be filling in historical and literary details between the readings. We'll also read a number of selections from Romantic, Metaphysical, and Victorian poets. Following the Dickens selection, the students will be choosing their own books from a list of suggested novels. We'll have panel discussions on these books.
This focus of this class is reading and literary analysis. I like to use the word "unpacking" when referring to literary discussions. We'll do some short writing assignments related to elements of literature. The students will write essay exams following 3 of the selections.
For those of you new to my classes, I send out e-mails after each class. I also have a Dropbox account where I put any worksheets or handouts. And, finally, I have a blog for each class. Because "British Literature" is such a huge topic, I will be posting background and supplemental information on the blog.
This week we began discussing Everyman, a morality play from the late 1400's, possibly by or based on a play by a Flemish man, Peter van Diest. We read the first few pages aloud and discussed some of the themes.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions. I prefer e-mails, but you can call my cell phone if your concern is urgent. (507/581-0270)
Assignments for Next Week:
-- Read The Second Shepherd's Play
-- Read Everyman
-- Answer Study Questions for each (5 for Everyman and 8 for The Second Shepherd's Play
-- Respond to Dropbox invitation.
-- Read blog entries
This week's blog entries: Class Notes, Spring Syllabus, Intro do the Middle Ages, Info on Everyman
Have a great week!
Mrs. Prichard
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