This is a course description for informational purposes only.  When this course is next offered in spring 2008, a full syllabus will be available via Blackboard to students registered in the course.

This is a separate course from the 1-credit, 2000-level "Jane Austen on Screen."  You may register for both courses as long as you have the necessary prerequisite for ENG 3020.

Jane Austen and Popular Culture (ENG 3020/5020; 3 credits)

 

course description:

            This seminar examines the status of the Regency writer Jane Austen, often considered one of England’s finest novelists, in our own popular culture.  Central readings will include a biography of Austen and three of her six novels.  Our understanding of Austen's relationship to her own culture and to ours will be broadened by sources that provide us with Regency cultural context,  literary criticism of her novels, and perspectives on her current popularity.  For each of Austen's novels that we read, we will view at least one recent commercially-released film adaptation and read a selection of related scholarly articles.   Each student will prepare a report and presentation on an aspect of the contemporary "Austen phenomenon" (e.g. mysteries starring Austen, dating guides based on Austen's novels, sequels to her novels written by present-day authors).  Analytical papers will explore in greater depth the connection between one of Austen's novels and its reworkings.

            This course counts towards the English major as an author course.  It is also cross-listed with Women's Studies. As a 3000-level seminar, it has a prerequisite of a previous ENG course.


Required books:

Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility. Norton Critical edition.  ISBN: 039397751x

Austen, Emma. Bedford/St. Martin's edition.  ISBN: 0312207573

Austen, Pride and Prejudice.  Broadview edition.  ISBN: 1551110288

Shields, Carol.  Jane Austen.  ISBN: 0143035169

Additional readings (to be available on E-RES or as handouts):

excerpts from Jane Austen in Hollywood, ed. Troost & Greenfield; Jane Austen on Screen, ed. Macdonald & Macdonald; Jane Austen and Co., ed. Pucci & Thompson;  Janeites, ed. Lynch; and Wiltshire's  Recreating Jane Austen

Films:

Sense and Sensibility, directed by Ang Lee (1995)
Emma, directed by Douglas McGrath (1996)
Clueless, directed by Amy Heckerling (1995)

Pride and Prejudice, miniseries with screenplay by Andrew Davies (1995)

Pride and Prejudice, directed by Joe Wright (2005)

Becoming Jane, directed by Julian Jarrold (2007)


Course Requirements:

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