English 185: Specialized Study in Victorian Literature, Spring 2002 Functions of Victorian Culture at the Present Time Tues. 3-5.50 Rolfe 3114 Professor Christine Krueger, 3331 Rolfe Hall, ex. 5-4839, hrs. M&W 4-5 & appt. Course Description A century after the death of Queen Victoria, the culture that bears her name is alive and well in contemporary society, from critical and political discourse to the popular media and consumer culture. This course investigates the uses of Victorian culture in the following areas: Aesthetics and Taste; the construction of social and anthropological ideas of culture; NatureÑthe Human Animal and Animal rights; Wealth, Class, and Philanthropy; Childhood; Feminism; Sexuality and Desire; Law and Policing; Espionage and Empire; Satire and Popular Entertainment in mass culture. A presentation on contemporary adaptations of Victorian texts and a research paper (12-15 pgs.), as well as a final examination, are required. Reading and Discussion Schedule Week 1. Taste   Architecture, Arts and Crafts, Aestheticism-Victorian appearances 2. Culture and History   Matthew Arnold, Culture and Anarchy, "Function of Criticism at the Present Time" (excerpts on reserve) 3. Nature and Survival   Darwin, Malthus (excerpts on reserve); Anna Sewell, Black Beauty 4. Wealth, Poverty, and Class   Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist* 5. Childhood   Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass 6. Feminism   Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre,* 7. Homosexuality   Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband, "Ballad of Reading Gaol" 8. Crime and Policing   Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes Stories 9. Empire and Espionage: "The Great Game"   Rudyard Kipling, Kim* 10. Satire, in and out of context   Gilbert and Sullivan, Iolanthe, The Mikado Required Texts Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol Anna Sewell, Black Beauty Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland (Norton) Charlotte Bront‘, Jane Eyre (Bedford) Oscar Wilde, Major Works (Oxford) Rudyard Kipling, Kim (Norton) Arthur Conan Doyle, Stories (Bedford) Gilbert and Sullivan, Plays (Norton) Reading and Discussion Please have readings completed by the date they appear on the syllabus, when we will be discussing them. Starred (*) items are long, so be forewarned. You are encouraged to look into contemporary adaptations of the texts we are treating and to bring them to bear on seminar discussion. Presentation (25%) Presentations of 15-20 minutes on contemporary uses of Victorian texts and ideas. Films, plays, fiction, non-fiction adaptations are all suitable. See "Presentation Topics" handout. Research Paper(50%) A 12-15 pg. paper addressing the historical contexts of an assigned text and its contemporary uses. Topics may grow out of the presentations. See "Paper Topics" handout for further suggestions. Due on the last class. Late papers will be accepted only by prior arrangement with me, and with a full grade penalty for each day after the due date. MLA documentation form. Final Exam (25%) Two cumulative essay questions and short answers on assigned readings and seminar discussion.