English 3840

English 3840: Transatlantic Journeys
Keirstead
Spring 2003

Course Requirements and Expectations

Required Texts
Trollope, Frances. Domestic Manners of the Americans. 1832. Penguin, 1997.
Irving, Washington. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories. 1820. Penguin, 1999.
Dickens, Charles. American Notes and Pictures from Italy. 1842 and 1846. Oxford, 1957.
Seacole, Mary. The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands. 1857. Oxford, 1988.
James, Henry. Daisy Miller. 1878. Penguin, 1987.
Twain, Mark. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. 1889. Modern Library, 2001.
Forster, E. M. A Room with a View. 1908. Bantam, 1988.

Other course readings will be supplied as handouts or by electronic databases such as Chadwyck-Healey and NetLibrary, available through the library’s website.

Course Work and Grading

One seminar paper, 10 to 12 pages long, that must cite at least three secondary sources (articles or books--not websites). An assignment sheet with suggested topics will be passed out during the semester. (25%)
One ten-minute oral presentation to be delivered with a partner (15%).
A total of five 1-to-2 page response papers, due about every other week (10%). Due dates are noted on the syllabus with an R.
Periodic, unannounced reading quizzes (10%).
A mid-term exam (20%) and a final exam (20%).
Active participation: participation is expected of all students and will be taken into consideration when the final grade is assessed. Read every assignment thoroughly and bring the appropriate text to class. For each class discussion, make it your goal to say at least two constructive things about the assigned reading. During group work, be attentive, considerate, and helpful. At the end of the course, if your numerical average is on the borderline between two grades, strong participation will earn you the higher grade. Poor participation will insure that you get the lower grade. See additional handout for more details.