The purpose of this course is to expose you to British cultural artifacts that were produced during the Victorian Period (for our purposes, 1832-1890).  We will examine, analyze, compare and contrast novels, stories, poems, paintings, magazines, music, and other cultural texts from the period and strive to discover qualities, methods, and themes that make the works of the era distinctive and even question the logic of interpreting works in terms of period.  We will also connect the objects to the social, historical, and cultural events and trends that are contemporary to our selections and examine the interplay between art and “real life.”  For the most part, the class is organized chronologically by each work's date of publication/presentation, but we will compare and contrast works in terms of style and theme throughout the course. 

Throughout the semester, we will uncover various useful approaches to the works with the idea in mind that while no one reading is correct, some interpretations are more convincing than others, and other interpretations are even completely implausible.  By the term’s end, I hope you can

• read the works/artifacts closely so that you can use evidence and explanation to argue effectively for your particular interpretations in writing and orally;

• discuss the aesthetic and thematic features that unify some Victorian cultural artifacts across genre into a cohesive category and be able to question this cohesion;

• connect individual works to historical events and cultural trends that helped shape the period; and

• get a sense of how Victorian artifacts fit into the spectrum of cultural and literary history.

My teaching methods are student-centered.  I will very rarely lecture.  As you will soon discover, I don’t claim to have all the answers.  I have more experience reading than you, but I continue to learn and experience new pleasures every time I experience and analyze a work of art.  As the course progresses I hope to learn from you just as you learn from each other and me. To facilitate this mutual learning, I have designed this class to be student-driven.  On some days we will have group discussions, on others we will work in small groups.  We might also view films, do informal writing, have some semi-formal debates, or view presentations.  I welcome suggestions on pedagogical activities that might help you learn more or better.

One particular pedagogical approach that I plan to use is induction.  I want us to look at a number of artifacts and draw conclusions about the works and their connections to other texts before I present you with "expert testimony" that makes general claims about Victorian art.  Consequently, we won't begin with general introductions about the Victorian period (though I know you've all been exposed to some).  We'll try to let the works speak for themselves (as much as they can) at first and then test the conclusions we draw against the conclusions the experts draw.

Attendance: Your participation in this course is essential, and as a result, so is attendance.  You are allowed to miss three class periods without penalty.  An absence after three will result in a W, F, or WF in the class.  Your three absences are to be used for the inevitable doctor’s visits, illnesses, sports events, court appointments, and funerals that may come up during the term. Extraordinary circumstances will be dealt with on a one-to-one basis. If you plan to be absent, tell me beforehand, so you can submit work ahead of time.  I do not accept late work.