The course objective is to explore the political, intellectual and social factors that gave rise to predominant trends and helped shape English literature during The Age of Enlightenment, also known as The Age of Reason. The course aims to raise awareness to historical, societal, cultural and artistic contexts through a variety of topics specific to the period.
Prerequisite(s)
None
Corequisite(s)
None
Special Requisite(s)
None
Instructor(s)
Lecturer Dr. Esin Akalın
Course Assistant(s)
None
Schedule
Mondays, 16:00 - 18:45 Online Course
Office Hour(s)
Tuesdays, 16:00 - 18:45
Teaching Methods and Techniques
-Formal lectures, discussions and presentations.
Principle Sources
John Dryden, Alexander's Feast
Alexander Pope, Rape of the Lock and Essay on Criticism
William Congreve, Way of the World
Addison and Steele, The Tatler and The Spectator
Samuel Johnson, Rasselas
Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels
Isaac Bickerstaffe, A Peep into the Seraglio
Lady Mary Montagu, The Embassy Letters
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
Other Sources
John Locke. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. London. 1690.
John Marshall. John Locke, Toleration and early Enlightenment Culture. Cambridge: University Press, 2006
Course Schedules
Week
Contents
Learning Methods
1. Week
Introduction
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
2. Week
The Age of Enlightenment : The Context of Ideas
Neo-Classicism Age of Reason
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
3. Week
'Precursor of the Enlightenment' - John Dryden, A Baroque Poem, 'Alexander's Feast'.'MacFlecknoe', Satire.
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
4. Week
Alexander Pope, Mock Heroic Epic 'Rococo Style' from The Rape of the Lock
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
5. Week
William Congreve, The Way of The World
'Chocolate Houses, Wits, Rakes, Coquettes.
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
6. Week
The Way of the World. Addison and Steele, from The Spectator, 'Coffee Houses, Social Clubs and Journalism'
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
7. Week
Samuel Johnson, From Rasselas
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
8. Week
Mid-Term Week
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
9. Week
Jonathan Swift, from Gulliver's Travels. 'Satire on All False tastes of learning.
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
10. Week
Isaac Bickerstaffe, A Peep Into the Sergalio. 'Vogue of Turquerie';
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
11. Week
Holiday
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
12. Week
Lady Mary Montagu. From The Turkish Embassy Letters. 'The Orient
and Exoticism'.
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
13. Week
Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rightsof Woman. 'Reason
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
14. Week
Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility 'Classic and Romantic Trends'
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
15. Week
Sense and Sensibility
16. Week
Final Exams Week
17. Week
Final Exams Week
Assessments
Evaluation tools
Quantity
Weight(%)
Homework / Term Projects / Presentations
1
25
Project(s)
1
35
Final Exam
1
40
Program Outcomes
PO-1
Show knowledge of a substantial range of authors, movements and texts from different periods of literary history.
PO-2
Identify the intellectual, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which literature
is written and read.
PO-3
Employ the necessary skills in the reading, analysis and in appreciation of literature.
PO-4
Recognize, interpret, and comment on rhetorical and figurative language.
PO-5
Identify, distinguish between and assess the distinctive characteristics of texts written in the principle literary genres.
PO-6
Recall and define key terms and concepts relating to language, literature and/or culture.
PO-7
Recognize the role of different social and cultural contexts in affecting meaning.
PO-8
Demonstrate responsiveness to the central role of language in the creation of meaning.
PO-9
Recognize different structures and discourse functions of the English language.
PO-10
Display competence both in written and/or oral expression and in the
communication of ideas in a variety of contexts.
PO-11
Demonstrate critical skills in the close reading, description, interpretation,
and analysis of literary and non-literary texts.
PO-12
Use logical thought, critical reasoning, and rhetorical skills to effectively
construct arguments.
PO-13
Apply guided research skills including the ability to gather, sift, organize and
present information and material.
PO-14
Show competence in planning, preparation and revision of essays,
presentations, and other written and project work.
PO-15
Reflect on ethical and philosophical issues raised in literary, critical, and
cultural texts.
Learning Outcomes
LO-1
Show knowledge of predominant trends and movements relating to the Age of Enlightenment and trace the historical outline of major developments in eighteenth-century England.
LO-2
Identify the intellectual, political, cultural and socio-historical contexts from which a variety of popular topics have emerged.
LO-3
Identify, distinguish between and assess the distinctive characteristics of genres written during the period.
LO-4
Recall and define critical terms and seminal concepts relating to the era.
LO-5
Demonstrate critical skills in the close reading, description, interpretation, analysis of a variety of literary and non-literary texts specific to The Age of Enlightenment.
LO-6
Show competence in planning and preparation of presentations and written work for the course.
