Masterworks of British Literature

The distinctive features of this course are the emphases on computer literacy, emotional literacy and student initiative. We will explore the implications of the best-seller Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, which demonstrates the value of right brain skills in business, medicine, education and many other fields. One of our goals will be expressiveness or emotional literacy: the ability to communicate emotion in writing, the key to a lot of great literature and creative writing. For most students all or almost all of the forty or more courses taken in college focus on thought rather than emotion, the left brain rather than the right, the mind rather than the heart. This is one attempt to redress the imbalance.

Specifically, the goal of this course is for you to find some aspects of literature that you will remember long after the course is over. We are seeking "real" assent rather than merely "notional" assent to the ideas of the authors of the Texas Constitution who demanded a "university of the first class ... for the promotion of literature."

For more information on real vs. notional assent and the logic of the humanities click here

Each student is expected to develop a portfolio of favorite works of British literature.These selections may be gathered from the Internet, the assigned anthology or novel, or other books. The only requirements are that the literature was composed originally in English other than American English, represent a variety of historical periods and effects, and not duplicate the responses of other students. Students will be encouraged to create Web page[s] for their favorite selection [s], preferably with multimedia effects. In any case, in their web pages they will be expected to use hypertext to explain their responses (feelings and associations as well as thoughts) to particular words and phrases. In addition to using computers to access the Internet, every third class or so networked computers will be used to discuss the literature, and students will be encouraged to post messages in the literature discussion forum at other times as well.

Course objectives: By the end of the semester you should

Grades. 30% of your grade will be determined by the quality of your web project; 50% by your portfolio of literary works and responses; 20% by attendance at, preparation for, and participation in class discussion. Class participation consists of showing up in class on time, having read the material assigned for that day, and being prepared to talk about it. Attendance will be taken in the first few minutes after the bell has rung. Those coming in after attendance checking has been completed can no longer have their names added to the roster for that day. If called upon and you have not read the material, a "U" for "unprepared" will be entered or a "P" for "prepared." One can earn a "P" even if one comes late.

In addition to being prepared to discuss the readings, class participation means common courtesy and paying attention to whomever is speaking. That means, of course, no talking while someone else is speaking or a presentation is being made, no reading of other materials in class, no sleeping in class, etc. That kind of lack of attention earns a "D" for discourtesy.

Required Texts: [1] The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Major Authors, 6th Edition. [2] Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre; [3] a collection of photocopies to be purchased at Jenn's, 2000 Guadelupe [473-8669], in the basement of the Church of Scientology. Recommended Text: Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman.

Required Supplies: at least two 3 1/2", 1.44 Megabyte, High Density Diskettes, preferably already formatted for MAC computers, labeled with your name and your instructor's name; and a pocket folder with your name on the outside.

Also required is an e-mail account. It is free from the Student Microcomputer Facility (SMF) in FAC 212. It will enable us to communicate with each other at all times. In fact, you will also be able to communicate with anyone in the world with an Internet address. Also recommended and available in the SMF are SLIP software and an IF, Individually-Funded, account. The SLIP software will enable you to use e-mail from your apartment or dorm-room (you may also need a modem); it includes Eudora, the recommended e-mail program. The IF account will also give you access to the printing facilities on campus.

This site was developed during the Fall Semester of 1996 at the University of Texas at Austin. The site was constructed by Jerome Bump, the instructor, and by the members of the 316k class. It is sponsored by the Computer Writing and Research Lab and currently maintained by Jerome Bump.

I owe Bret Benjamin a great deal of thanks for his help with these documents.

updated Oct. 15, 1997

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