aidemia--modules-courseplan_type	Create a plan of a course
Which subject	English
What age group	College
What topic	British Literature
Number of lessons	21
Split into modules
Add goal and aims
Add intro
Add references
Any other preferences	Add 4 12 grade novels to the curriculum

Course Plan: British Literature

Course Introduction

Welcome to British Literature, a college-level course designed to explore the rich tapestry of storytelling, cultural commentary, and linguistic innovation that has shaped not only England but the wider world. This course will traverse the historical, social, and political landscapes of Britain from its earliest literature through contemporary works. Through close reading, discussion, and critical analysis, students will engage with a range of texts, from the classics to modern novels, improving their ability to both interpret and critique literature.

Course Goals

• To foster an understanding of the evolution of British literature through various historical periods.
• To enhance literary analysis skills through the study of diverse texts.
• To develop the ability to articulate insights about texts both verbally and in writing.

Course Aims

• To analyze key themes, styles, and movements in British literature.
• To appreciate the cultural and historical contexts that shape literary works.
• To encourage personal connections and responses to literature through discussions and written assignments.

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Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of British Literature

Lesson 1: Anglo-Saxon Literature

• Overview of Old English literature
• Reading: Selections from Beowulf

Lesson 2: Medieval Literature

• The transition from oral tradition to written form
• Reading: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Lesson 3: The Renaissance and Elizabethan Drama

• The impact of the Tudor period on literature
• Reading: Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Module 2: The Restoration and The Enlightenment

Lesson 4: Restoration Comedy

• Characteristics of Restoration literature
• Reading: The Way of the World by William Congreve

Lesson 5: The Enlightenment in Literature

• Rationalism vs. Romanticism
• Reading: Selections from A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

Lesson 6: Early Romanticism

• Key themes and figures in early Romantic literature
• Reading: Poems by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Module 3: The Victorian Era

Lesson 7: The Rise of the Novel

• The novel as a form and societal commentary
• Reading: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Lesson 8: Victorian Poetry

• Themes of love, loss, and social issues
• Reading: Selections from Alfred Lord Tennyson and Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Lesson 9: Social Critique in the Victorian Novel

• Exploring class and morality
• Reading: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Module 4: Modernism and Postmodernism

Lesson 10: The Modernist Movement

• Characteristics and themes of Modernism
• Reading: Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Lesson 11: Postmodern Literature

• Key elements of postmodern storytelling
• Reading: The History Man by Malcolm Bradbury

Lesson 12: War Literature

• The impact of war on literature
• Reading: Regeneration by Pat Barker

Module 5: Contemporary British Literature

Lesson 13: The Rise of Diverse Voices

• Exploring literature from various backgrounds
• Reading: White Teeth by Zadie Smith

Lesson 14: Examining Identity in Literature

• The theme of identity in contemporary works
• Reading: The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

Lesson 15: Ecocriticism in British Literature

• Literature’s relationship with the environment
• Reading: Selections from The Overstory by Richard Powers

Module 6: Thematic Discussions and Seminar

Lesson 16: Themes of Isolation and Alienation

• Analyzing characters’ struggles
• Comparative analysis of key texts from previous lessons

Lesson 17: The Role of Women in Literature

• The evolution of female representation
• Class discussion based on previous texts

Lesson 18: The Impact of Historical Context

• Evaluating the influence of societal changes on literature
• Group presentations on assigned texts

Module 7: Final Projects and Conclusion

Lesson 19: Literature and Its Legacy

• The continuing impact of British literature on global writing
• Class discussions and reflections

Lesson 20: Final Project Preparation

• Guidelines for final projects and presentations
• Workshop sessions

Lesson 21: Course Wrap-Up and Reflections

• Final reflections and discussions
• Course evaluation and feedback session

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References

1. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Penguin Classics, 2005.
2. Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. Penguin Classics, 2003.
3. Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006.
4. Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations. Penguin Classics, 2003.
5. Woolf, Virginia. Mrs. Dalloway. Harcourt, 1981.
6. Smith, Zadie. White Teeth. Vintage, 2000.
7. Hamid, Mohsin. The Reluctant Fundamentalist. Harcourt, 2007.
8. Barker, Pat. Regeneration. Plume, 1995.
9. Bradbury, Malcolm. The History Man. Penguin, 1990.
10. Powers, Richard. The Overstory. W.W. Norton & Company, 2018.

This curriculum encompasses foundational texts from different periods, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the evolution and impact of British literature. Each lesson builds upon the previous one, ensuring a cohesive journey through the literary landscape of Britain.