Restoration and Early 18C Literature

In this course we'll explore the rich variety of literature produced in Britain from 1660 to 1730.  Beginning with the restoration of the monarchy after a bloody civil war, and ending with the rise of a newly confident middle class, this period saw momentous political and cultural change.  We'll read poems, plays, stories, and essays written by authors engaged with the pressing issues of their time, and in the process considering such topics as the emergence of the author as a professional figure, the implications of changing attitudes toward gender and class, and the explosion of interest in human nature as an object of study.  As we read these texts we'll also consider questions about the nature of literary value, the usefulness of notions of genre, and the role played by literature in social life.   Prerequisite:  ENGL 1406 (ENGL 1413/ENGL 1423) with a minimum grade of C-.