English 336 : Modern British Literature
Spring Quarter 2021 Tues. & Thurs. 3:30-5:20 .
Professor Sydney Kaplan sydneyk@uw.edu
Zoom Code: 966 3647 8999
Office Hours: by appointment
This class will focus on the relationship between literature and social change in England and Ireland during the first two decades of the twentieth-century, which included the struggle for women's suffrage, World War One and the fight for Irish Independence. The poems, short stories, and novels that we will be studying this quarter reflect-- both in style and content--the conflicts, discoveries, and social/psychological theories that were current during this period. We will consider the relationship between "modernism" and modernity, the implications of Freudianism for literature, the impact of war and its aftermath, and other topics relevant to our reading.
The course will be conducted synchronously on Zoom. Attendance is important as each student will be expected to participate fully in discussion and to contribute ideas and information based on individual analyses of aspects of the texts. Although there will be brief lectures, this class depends primarily on class discussion. If it is to be effective, each student must participate actively in it. To this end, you will need to write three questions (at least one paragraph each) based on that day’s assigned reading. These should be sent to me as a Word attachment (by email to sydneyk@uw.edu) before the beginning of class each day. You may be called upon to read one of your questions to the class and explain why it concerned you. I will keep a file of your questions and give you a grade on them at the end of the quarter.) At least 60 percent of your grade will be based on the quality of your written questions and your participation in class discussion. In addition to your written questions and participation in discussion, there will be a midterm and a final exam. You will be tested on your understanding of the texts and your ability to incorporate concepts from the lectures and class discussion into your analysis.
Required Texts (listed in order of reading)
E. M. Forster, Howards End Penguin Classics ISBN: 9780141182131
D. H. Lawrence, Sons and Lovers Penguin Classics ISBN: 9780141441443
James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Penguin Classics ISBN: 9780451530158
Candace Ward, Ed., World War One British Poets Dover Thrift Edition ISBN: 9780486295688
Katherine Mansfield, Selected Stories Norton Critical Edition ISBN: 978039392533
Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 0156628708
Syllabus
Week I. (March 30 & April 1)
Tuesday: Introduction
Thursday E.M. Forster, Howards End (Chapters 1-10)
Week 2 (April 6 & 8)
Tuesday:) Forster (Chapters 11-25)
Thursday: Forster (Chapters 26-43)
Week 3 (April 13 & 15)
Tuesday: D.H. Lawrence, Sons and Lovers (Chapters 1-5)
Thursday: Lawrence, (Chapters 6-9)
Week 4 (April 20 & 22)
Tuesday: Lawrence, (Chapters 10-15)
Thursday. James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (Chapters 1-2)
Week 5 April 27-29)
Tuesday: Joyce (Chapters 3-4)
Thursday: Joyce (Chapter 5)
Week 6 (May 4 & 6)
Tuesday: William Butler Yeats: “The Second Coming,” “Sailing to Byzantium”, “Leda and
the Swan,” “Among School Children” (on line or in many poetry anthologies)
Thursday: Yeats: “In Memory of Major Robert Gregory,” “An Irish Airman Foresees His
Death” Midterm Exam ---to be returned by Tuesday
Week 7 (May 11 & 13))
Tuesday: World War One British Poets
Thursday: World War One British Poets
Week 8 (May 18-20)
Tuesday: Katherine Mansfield: “The Tiredness of Rosabel,” “The Little Governess” “Pictures”
Thursday: Mansfield: “Prelude,” “At the Bay,” “The Doll’s House”
Week 9 (May 25-27)
Tuesday: Mansfield: “The Garden Party,” Bliss,” “The Fly”
Thursday: Virginia Woolf, “Modern Fiction” (on line) and Mrs Dalloway (first third)
Week 10 (June 1 & 3)
Tuesday: Woolf (2nd third)
Thursday: Woolf (last 3rd)
Final Exam due by June 10
“Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).”
“Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).”