ENGL 200   British Literary Traditions

A study of the writers who have made and remade British literature, from its medieval origins to the present moment. Students will learn to read across the linguistic and cultural diversity of the British Isles, which include Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales, and trace the evolution of the languages over time. In addition to works by major authors like Chaucer, Spenser, Shelley, and Heaney, students will read widely in the resources and traditions of British literature. The course examines, for the most part, shorter works (lyric poetry, songs, essays), but longer ones (novels, epics) may be included wholly or in part. An objective of the course is to situate texts in history so that students can begin to appreciate how literary works respond to cultural and political events. An instructor may give the course a focus, such as attention to particular regional and national identities or the significance of British culture in relation to international conflicts and changes.