February 14-18 The Enlightenment: Sic et Non

Jane Austen Contra Mundum:
February 14-18

"The greatest university of all is a collection of books." Thomas Carlyle

Monday:

Exploring Jane Austen's Prose and Characters

17th Century Matters:  Timelines and Events

Tuesday:

More Considerations of Jane Austen

The Enlightenment

Events in Britain

Wednesday:

Jane Austen and Marriageable Folks

18th Century Wars and Rumors of Wars

Events in Britain

Thursday:

Jane Austen and Manners and Decorum

More 18th Century Wars and Rumors of Wars

Events in Britain

Friday:

Jane Austen: Against the Enlightenment

Student Reports

Filmfest

Readings:

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, volume 1, to page 101 must be completed.

Justo Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, Chapters 14 and 21

Jackson Spielvogel, Western Civilization, Scan Chapters 16-17.

Writing Assignments:

In-class Journal Entries

Class Notes

Enlightenment Paper--due Friday

The Enlightenment Paper:  A Descriptive Paper

Freshmen--Juniors will use Gonzalez and Spielvogel to write a one page (typed/doublespaced) paper answering the question:  What was the Enlightenment?

Seniors will use Gonzalez, Spielvogel, and/or Schaeffer to write a one page (typed/double spaced) paper on an Enlightenment Thinker:

Descartes, Rousseau, Hume, or Kant

Quotes About Jane Austen

          First and foremost let Austen be named, the greatest artist that has ever written, using the term to signify the most perfect mastery over the means to her end. There are heights and depths in human nature Miss Austen has never scaled nor fathomed, there are worlds of passionate existence into which she has never set foot; but although this is obvious to every reader, it is equally obvious that she has risked no failures by attempting to delineate that which she has not seen. Her circle may be restricted, but it is complete. Her world is a perfect orb, and vital. Life, as it presents itself to an English gentlewoman peacefully yet actively engaged in her quiet village, is mirrored in her works with a purity and fidelity that must endow them with interest for all time.

George Henry Lewes, 1852,