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In this course we will examine two related cultural movements:European Romanticism and American Transcendentalism. We will begin by tracing the beginnings of Romanticism, as it evolved out of, and in reaction to the Enlightenment. We will look at how Enlightenment philosophy influenced the development of this new and different approach to literature, and the arts, before moving on to studying several literary examples of English and German Romanticism. Themes to be explored will include: the role and function of all forms of art, as well as the artist in society, the nature of Romantic subjectivity as well as how the romantic subject relates to nature. The concept of nature and its connections both to spirit/soul and self (subject) will be one of the main points of continuity as we turn our attention in the second half of the course to the uniquely American expression of Romanticism namely Transcendentalism. back to top
As you might imagine, this will be a reading-intensive class. Our class sessions will give you the opportunity to discuss and exchange questions, thoughts and ideas with your Honors program peers based on what you have read. Usually you will receive a set of questions from me about the next session's reading. You will write short written responses to the questions that you will be able to use during the in-class discussion of these texts. These questions will help guide and frame our discussions. back to top
The following four books should be available from the bookstore: The Sorrows of Young Werther (Modern Library Classics) by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, Burton Pike (Translator); The Golden Pot and Other Tales: A New Translation by Ritchie Robertson (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)
by E. T. A. Hoffmann (Author), The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson (Modern Library Classics) and Walden and Resistance to Civil Government (Norton by Henry David Thoreau, William John Rossi (Editor). It would be best if you could get these exact copies, just to make our discussions of these texts easier (this way we'll all be on the same page so to speak). You'll also be receiving quite a few photocopied texts, for which you will be charged a modest fee. Please pick up these copies from Renee Kreger in the Honors office. back to topAs I'm sure you can imagine, student participation is one of the most important components of any Honors Seminar. This Honors class will be no exception. It will be built upon the many intellectually stimulating discussions of our readings. I see my role primarily as that of facilitator, as the person who keeps track of who is saying what, and who occasionally steps in to summarize what has been said. It really is up to you, the students to shape the discussion in a way that is meaningful to you. And remember that you are primarily discussing with each other and not to or for the professor. Attendance at each class session is mandatory. More than three unexcused absences will affect your grade for this class. An excused absence would be one for which you have a note from your doctor or health services. back to top
This class will provide you with numerous opportunities to work on refining the written formulation of your thoughts in different formats. You will regularly submit short written responses to the readings, either in the form of answers to pre-set questions or the looser, but therefore sometimes more rewarding, literary reader-response journal. There will also be a couple of shorter papers (about three type-written double-spaced pages) assigned based on more general questions from our readings. back to top
Your grade for this class will be calculated based on your performance in the following areas:
- In-class oral participation 30%
- Reader response journals: 30%
- Short interpretive papers: 40%
Schedule: (This schedule will change--I've changed the dates, but some of the reading assignments will also change, please check back often!)
Monday, August 20: General introduction to the course and syllabus. Where does the term "Romanticism" come from? Hand out photocopies of the Kant text with reading questions for class on Wednesday.
Wednesday, August 22: Discussion of Immanuel Kant's text What is Enlightenment? Distribution of the biographical text about Goethe-perhaps with questions.
Friday, August 24: Further discussion of Kant - transition to Goethe. Distribute reading question for the first reading of The Sorrows of Young Werther
Monday, August 27: Read The Sorrows of Young Werther to page 50 (the letter of August 12)
Wednesday, August 29: Read The Sorrows of Young Werther to page 110 (to "The Editor to the Reader")
Friday, August 31: Read The Sorrows of Young Werther to the end. Wrap up the discussion of Sorrows of Young Werther. Distribute hand-out on German Romanticism.
Wednesday, September 5: Discussion of student's journals on Werther.
Friday, September 7: Introductory lecture on German Romanticism and Novalis. Distributed the first longer paper assignment.
Monday, September 10: The Novices of Sais: read the first section entitled: The Novice.
Wednesday, September 12: The Novices of Sais: read pages 19-69, including the fairy tale.
Friday, September 14: Finish The Novices of Sais: read 69-79
Monday, September 17: Read Cinderella (Brothers Grimm) Assignment deadline: Werther paper due
Wednesday, September 19: Read a section of The Sandman E.T.A.Hoffmann
Friday, September 21: The Sandman
Monday, September 24: Wrap up The Sandman
Wednesday, September 26: Introduction to English Romanticism and English Romantic poetry
Friday, September 28: English Romantic poetry: Wordsworth & Coleridge
Monday, October 01 Wrap up English Romantic poetry
Wednesday, October 03: Special viewing of Little Women; Romantic Art - web-assignment; Distribute the Fall Break reading.
Friday, October 05: Special viewing of Little women, Director: Gillian Armstrong, Assignment deadline German Romanticism paper due
Monday, October 08: Fall Break! Assignment: Read the first five chapters of Ralph Richardson's biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Mind on Fire; Write a one page reader-response journal to the text and bring a question to class for discussion.
Wednesday, October 10: Discussion of the first five chapters of Ralph Richardson's biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Mind on Fire.Friday, October 12: Read pages 3-19 of Nature (write a journal entry and a question)
Monday, October 15: Finish Nature (write a journal entry and a question)
Wednesday, October 17: Read The Transcendentalist (journal entry & a question)
Friday, October 19: No class; Assignment: read The American Scholar and History(journal entry & a question)
Monday, October 22: Discussion of The American Scholar
Wednesday, October 24: Read the Stanford summary of Emerson.We will discuss it and History. Bring a question from the Stanford summary
Friday, October 26: Read Self Reliance (journal entry & a question)
Monday, October 29: Read Love & Friendship (journal entry & a question)
Wednesday, October 31: Read the first half of Economy from Walden by Henry David Thoreau
Friday, November 02: Read the second half of Economy from Walden by Henry David Thoreau.
Monday, November 05: Read Where I Lived and What I Lived For, from Walden.Wednesday, November 07: Read Reading in Walden and the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Thoreau. Bring a question on Reading.
Friday, November 09: Read pages 75-94 Sounds & Solitude in Walden
Monday, November 12: Read pages 94-104 Visitors in Walden Assignment deadline: Emerson paper due in class
Wednesday, November 14: Read 104-116 The Bean-Field & The Village in Walden
Friday, November 16: Read pages 116 to 135 The Ponds in Walden
Monday, November 19: Read pages 135-159 Baker Farm, Higher Laws & Brute Neighbors in Walden
Wednesday, November 21: Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 26: Read pages 159-199 House-Warming, Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors, Winter Animals & The Pond in Winter in Walden (journal entry and a question).
Wednesday, November 28: Read pages 199-213 Spring in Walden. Evaluations
Friday, November 30: Read pages 213-223: Conclusion in Walden.
