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Our main goal in this course is to examine the two related cultural movements of 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 the influence of idealist philosophy (mainly Immanuel Kant) on the development of this new and radically different approach to literature, philosophy and art, before moving on to literary examples of Romanticism. Themes to be explored and discussed include: the role and function of art (in all forms) in society, the nature of Romantic subjectivity and finally, the relationship of the romantic self to nature. The concept of nature and its connections both to spirit 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 three books should be available from the bookstore: The Sorrows of Young Werther (Modern Library Classics) by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, Burton Pike (Translator); The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson (Modern Library Classics) and Walden and Resistance to Civil Government (Norton Critical Editions) 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 top
As I'm sure you can imagine class participation is one of the most important components of an honors seminar. The class will be built around 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. back to top
In this class you will work on the succinct and elegant written formulation of your thoughts in different formats. First off you'll 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 journal. Then there will be a couple of shorter papers (about three type-written double-spaced) assigned based on selections from our readings. Finally you will have the option of writing a research paper or responding to a set of questions more or less in the form of a take-it-hone exam. . back to top
Participation (including written reader responses): ~40%
Short papers on major texts: ~ ?x 10%
Longer paper or take-home ~ ?%
Monday, January 22: 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, January 24: Discussion of Immanuel Kant's text What is Enlightenment? Distribution of the biographical text about Goethe-perhaps with questions.
Friday, January 26: Further discussion of Kant - transition to Goethe. Distribute reading question for the first reading of The Sorrows of Young Werther
Monday, January 29: Read The Sorrows of Young Werther to page 50 (the letter of August 12)
Wednesday, January 31: Read The Sorrows of Young Werther to page 110 (to "The Editor to the Reader")
Friday, February 2: Read The Sorrows of Young Werther to the end. Wrap up the discussion of Sorrows of Young Werther. Distribute hand-out on German Romanticism.
Monday, February: 5: Introductory lecture on German Romanticism and Novalis. Hand out questions.
Wednesday, February 7: The Novices of Sais: read the first section entitled: The Novice.
Friday, February 9: The Novices of Sais: read pages 19-69, including the fairy tale.
Monday, February 12: The Novices of Sais: read 69-79 Assignment deadline: Werther paper due
Wednesday, February14: Finish The Novices of Sais
Friday, February 16: Read Cinderella (Brothers Grimm)
Monday, February 19: Read a section of The Sandman E.T.A. Hoffmann
Wednesday, February 21: The Sandman
Friday, February 23: Wrap up The Sandman
Monday, February 26: Introduction to English Romanticism and English Romantic poetry
Wednesday, February 28 : English Romantic poetry: Wordsworth & Coleridge
Friday, March 2: English Romantic poetry: Wordsworth & Coleridge
Monday, March 5 Wrap up English Romantic poetry
Wednesday, March 7: Discussion of Romantic art (Casper David Friedrich); distribution of "notebooks" and the Spring Break reading
Friday, March 9: Special viewing of Dead Poets Society, Director: Peter Weir, 1989 (we'll meet in the Observatory/honors classroom from 1:00pm-3:20pm) Assignment deadline German Romanticism paper due
March 10-18: Have good Spring Break! Read the first five chapters of Richardson's biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Mind on Fire; Write a journal entry in your notebook as well as one question for the class discussion.
Monday, March 19: Discussion of the reading. This schedule is still tentative and may well be changedWednesday, March 21 : Read pages 3-19 of Nature (write a journal entry and a question)
Friday, March 23: Read 19-39 of Nature (journal entry & a question)
Monday, March 26: Read The Transcendentalist (journal entry & a question)
Wednesday, March 28: Read History (journal entry & a question)
Friday, March 30: Read Self Reliance (journal entry & a question)
Monday, April 2: Read Compensation (journal entry & a question)
Wednesday, April 4: Love & Friendship (journal entry & a question)
Friday, April 6: no class--Good Friday
Monday, April 9: Read Economy from Walden by Henry David Thoreau (journal entry & a question)
Wednesday, April 11: Read Where I Lived and What I Lived For, and Reading from Walden (journal entry & a question)
Friday April 13: Read pages 75-94 (Sounds & Solitude) in Walden (journal entry & a question)
Monday, April 16: Read pages 94-116 (Visitors, The Bean-Field & The Village) in Walden (journal entry & a question)Wednesday, April 18: Read pages 116 to 135 (The Ponds) in Walden (journal entry & a question)
Friday, April 20: no class do the reading and journal for Monday
Monday, April 23: Read pages 135-170 (Baker Farm, Higher Laws, Brute Neighbors & House-Warming) in Walden (journal entry & a question)
Wednesday, April 26: Read pages 170-188 (Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors &Winter Animals in Walden (journal entry & a question)
Friday, April 28: Read pages 188-213 (The Pond in Winter, Spring) (journal entry & a question) Evaluations
Monday, April 30: Read pages 213-223 (Conclusion) in Walden. (journal entry & a question)
Wednesday, May 2: Final discussion of Walden and the class.
