Survey of British Literature

Due Date 

Short team presentation Dec. 1 (in-class). Each individual person should submit the final assignment by Dec. 9 at noon (our exam period) on Moodle.

Directions

One of the primary goals of this course is to introduce you to the key texts of British literature, sometimes called the “canon.” These are texts that have been historically deemed important or influential like Austen and Shakespeare. But, as we’ve discussed, how are these works deemed important and by whom? 

Working in teams of 3-4, for this assignment you’ll be tasked with becoming the person who decides what counts as canon. Your team will research and select one text and make an argument for why you think it should be canonical. (This text should not already be part of the canon. That means no texts from the syllabus or ones deemed “classics;” if you read it in high school, it’s a classic). You might choose a text from folklore, song, or oral story-telling; you might choose a text written by a marginalized person (lower class, woman, immigrant, person of color). The text you choose may be ancient or contemporary, and it can be from any genre as long as it’s a written document (so anything from scripts to novels to lyrics counts). The key is to make a strong case for why it is interesting or important and worth studying in a British Literature Survey.

On the last day of class, your team will present a polished argument in a presentation (15 minutes). At the end of the presentations, we’ll vote on the text we most want to see canonized and featured in future British Literature Surveys. So think critically about how to make that presentation engaging (a performance? read a section of text? mime?).  You will then turn in a short essay (3 pages) reflecting on the process (due by noon Dec. 9); this reflection should be produced by each individual person and cover: your experience in working with the group (what did you work on? what was challenging or surprising?) as well as a discussion of your own thoughts and arguments related to the text. This project is worth 25% of your final grade.

Paper Format

3 pages, Double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1-inch margins, MLA format 

Lateness Penalty

Unless I have approved a deadline extension in advance, late submissions will be lowered by a letter grade per 24-hour period. Late penalties begin immediately.   If you want an extension, you must contact me at least 24 hours before the paper is due.

Grading Criteria

While writing style, correct grammar, and punctuation will affect your grade, the most important criteria will be the strength of your argument, the clarity and specificity of your thesis, and the quality of your analysis of the text.

Grading checklist:

1. Clarity: Is the paper easy to follow? Does each sentence clearly contribute to the argument?

2. Persuasiveness: Have you supported your argument with evidence from the text? Does each paragraph help to support your overarching thesis?

3. Originality: Have you generated fresh insights, ideas, and perspectives? Have you made new and interesting connections?

4. Depth of Analysis: Have you thought critically about what the canon is? Have you engaged with why this text belongs in the canon in a meaningful way that goes beyond surface analysis?

5. Presentation: Are there awkward or confusing sentences?  Are there spelling errors or grammatical mistakes?

Write your paper with this grading checklist in mind:

A paper that is largely a summary of the plot or a statement of obvious theme or character relations will earn you a grade in the C range or below.

A paper that contains interesting analytical insights but whose argument organization still needs work will earn you a grade in the B range or below.

A paper that contains interesting analytical insights and is arranged into a clear, focused, and original argument will earn you a grade in the A range or below.