| Spring
Term 2012 |
Office
Hours: And by appointment |
Required Materials
Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde (Penguin)
copy
packet
Course
Description
This course will provide an overview of Scottish Literature and culture
in a long span of years, but we will be examining the subject in the context
of issues and themes that are very much part of our contemporary multicultural,
diverse, modern world. From 1700 and onwards Scottish writers and artists have
played a major role in formulating the theories we use to make sense of the
complexity of culture throughout the world. At the same time, Scottish culture
itself has played out many of these complexities in its history. Reading the
literature of three different languages, Gaelic, English, and Scots. We'll look
at writers included in the British canon of writers, in English and Scots, such
as Robert Burns and Walter Scott; lesser-known authors writing in Gaelic, such
as Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair, Mairi Nic A Phearsain, and Iain MacGhillEathain;
and contemporaries, such as Jackie Kay, Bashabi Fraser, and Alastair MacLeod.
Thus, the class will provide a global perspective through literature by introducing
you to the literature of a people who have made a contribution to modern notions
of diversity, cultural difference, and identity far greater than their relative
small number might suggest.
Though we will be focusing
on literature, we will also be looking at a variety of cultural representations,
such as paintings, photographs, cartoons, ads, music, tv clips, websites, and
other material. In addition I will provide a few materials, handed out in class
and on my website, from time to time to help with the historical context. Throughout
the course we will be focusing on themes of communal belonging and isolation,
pride and self-loathing, and joy and frustration in the literature of a people
that have informed much of our modern understanding of national identity and
cultural difference.
Course Aims
This
course is an English literature course and thus is designed to expose you to
literary texts and literary analysis, largely demonstrated by writing papers.
However as a Tier II "Cultural Perspectives course, ENG 216 is designed to:
Course Requirements
Research
Paper 20%
Response Papers 35%
Response
One
Response
Two
Response
Three
Response
Four
Oral Presentation 10%
Quizzes 5%
Midterm 20%
Research
Paper
You will have the opportunity to write a short research-based literary analysis
(4-6 pages) on the topic we will cover.
Response Papers
There are four response papers, one due about every third week. Response papers
are linked to specific reading assignments and are posted on the course website
(see above). You are to respond to any one day's questions from each assignment.
Response questions must be typed, double-spaced and turned in on the day that
you have selected. For example, answers to questions from February 9th's reading
must be turned in on that day. Late papers will be subject to a reduction in grade. After-due date extensions, except in the case of emergencies, will
be difficult to obtain.
Avoid plagiarism (stealing
the exact words or ideas of another) like the plague. In this class acts of
plagiarism incur a zero and could also result in course failure or expulsion
from the university.
Oral Presentation
At some point early in the semester I will divide the class into four or five
groups. Each group will then be given the task of putting together an
oral presentation. There are several throughout the semester. Each presentation
will be devoted on a specific topic. (See the Calendar for specific topics)
Each presentation should be at least 15 minutes (and last no more than 20 minutes)
and must include at least one handout to be given to the class as a whole.
In addition you must provide me with a bibliography of your research materials
in MLA format. Beyond the handout and the bibliography, the materials and format
of the presentations are only limited by the group's imagination and may include
use of a variety of media.
Exams
In addition to a mid-term exam, there will be three short surprise quizzes given
throughout the semester. These are intended merely to give friendly encouragement
to keep up with the assigned reading in class.
Participation
Regular attendance of classes is absolutely expected for this course. From time to time you will work in
groups in class and provide written summaries of your work to be handed in to
me. Three or more unexcused absences will lower
your participation grade significantly.
Calendar
Week 1
January 19: Introduction
Week 2
January 24: Some historical/linguistic/geographical background; national stereotypes and Scottish reaction
Samuel Johnson, Journey
to the Western Islands of Scotland; James Boswell's London Journal;
Robert Fergusson "To the Principal and Professors of the University of St. Andrews"
January 26:
Pride of a stateless nation? Robert
Burns
and cultural nationalism
"It Was a' for Our
Rightfu King," "To a Haggis," "Such a Parcel of Rogues in
a Nation," "Scots, Wha Hae," "Scotch Drink," "On
the Late Captain Grose's Perigrinations Thro' Scotland," "O'er the
Water to Charlie," "Does Haughty Gaul Invasion Threat?"
Week 3
February 2: Poetry
of the Scottish Gaeltacht on wearing the tartan
Hugh Cheape Tartan, selections;Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair "Oran Luiadh no Fucaidh (A Waulking Song),"
"Am Breacan Uallach (The Proud Plaid)"; Iain Mhic Fhearcahir "Oran
Mu'n Eideadh Ghaidhealach (Song to the Highland Dress)";
Short biography of Bonnie Prince Charlie
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Week 4
February 9: Theorizing cultural difference: The Scottish Enlightenment
Adam Smith, "The Four
Stages of Society"; William Robertson, "Comparative History"
February 14:
Walter Scott, "The Two Drovers," cont.
Week 6
February
21: Oral Presentation: The Highland Clearances
Poetry
of the Clearances:
Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair "Brosnachadh nan Gaidheal (An Incitement
for the Gaels)"Duncan
Ban Macintyre "Oran nam Balgairean
(Song to the Foxes)"; Mairi Nic a Phearsain "Brosnachadh nan Gaidheal (An Incitement for the Gaels),"
"Soraidh leis an Nollaig uir (Farewell to the New Christmas)," "Nuair
bha mi og (When I Was Young)"
February 23: Poetry
of the Clearances, contd.:
Uilleam MacDhunleibhe "Fios thun a Bhaird (A Message to the Bard)"; Iain MacGhillEathain "Am Bard an Canada (The Poet in Canada)
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Week 7
February 28: Scottish Diaspora
Alastair Macleod, No
Great Mischief (Read to Chapter 17, page 118)
March 1: Alastair Macleod,
No Great Mischief
March
6:Alastair Macleod, No
Great Mischief
March
8: Alastair Macleod, No
Great Mischief
March 13: Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
March 15: Mid-term
Week 10
Happy Spring Break!
Week 11
March
27:
March 29: Oral Presentation: Scotland
and the British Empire
James Cromb, The Highland Brigade, selections
Week 12
April 5: Research Methods and Materials
Week 13
April
10:
April 12: Oral Presentation: Contemporary Scottish Nationalism
Tom Leonard "Dripping with Nostalgia," "hangup"
Week 14
Week 15
April
24: Oral Presentation: Teaching Scottish Literature and/or Culture
in an American Classroom
Jackie Kay, Trumpet
April
26 :Jackie Kay, Trumpet
Week 16
May 1: TBA;
A Bibliography on Scottish Literature and Nationalism
Some Useful Links
Literature:
Slainte's Gateway to Scottish Authors
Rampant Scotland's Literature
Scottish
Poetry Library
History:
Scottish History Timeline (detailed)
The Jacobite Rebellion
The Highland Clearances
Short biography of Bonnie Prince Charlie
Contemporary Voices: The Highland Clearances
History of the Highland Clearances: A Timeline
Language:
A Guide to Gaelic Scotland
The
Scuil Wab
Scots
Online
Politics:
Scottish
Politics Pages
The Scot Online
The
Scottish Parliament Website
Scottish Nationalism
The Nationalist Project Scottish Page
The
Scottish Nationalist Party
Scottish
Separatist Group and Scottish National Liberation Army
Scots for Independence
"The Development of Scottish Nationalism"
The Declaration of Arbroath
General:
The Nationalism Project
Scotland Photo Gallery
Waulking and Waulking Songs
Illustration: Needlework
Map of Scotland 1797 (Source: Map Library, The National Library of Scotland)
"If you are a student
with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it
is your responsibility to contact the Office of Disability Services at (860)
465-5573. To avoid any delay in the receipt of accommodations, you should
contact the Office of Disability Services as soon as possible. Please
understand that I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until
I have received an accommodation letter from the Office of Disability Services.
Your cooperation is appreciated."