Cookie's Courses

[Schokokeks]

Hi there :)

Here at university, with the final exams coming up, the semester is about to end, and I need to plan for the next.
However, beside the fact that I'm terribly indecisive, I'm not sure as to the content of most seminars that are offered, and I would love you to give your comments on the seminars in order to make it easier for me to decide :D. Maybe you've done anything similar in the course of your studies, or are more familiar with one of topics that I am and can offer an insight :D.


Here's what my department has to offer, from which I have to choose one course:

1/ Ben Jonson's The Alchemist und Bartholomew Fair
(I've never read anything by Jonson, what are his plays like ?)

2/ Victorian Fiction. Jane Eyre and Middlemarch
(Well, I've read the books and didn't like them too much, but maybe there are some hidden features to Victorian fiction that I might have missed...?)

3/ First World War Poetry
(Clueless as to this one)

4/ Theory of Drama
(sounds very theoretical...Possibly dry ?)

5/ Nathaniel Hawthorne. Selected Short Fiction
(I've read The Scarlett Letter and liked it, but don't know a lot about his short stories. Are they interesting enough to get me hooked for a whole semester :p ?)

6/ Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost
(well, I'm usually kind of scared of poetry, but it sounds tempting all the same :D)

7/ American Dreams, American Nightmares. Death of a Salesman and Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?
(I've read the two plays, but I don't know too much about their contextual background. Interesting ?)

8/ Tales of Acculturation. Jewish Autobiographies in America and Russia.
(errr, yeah :goof:)

9/ The New Woman. The Awakening and Herland.
(Haven't read the titles and haven't been much into feminism literary theory yet...you ? )

Thanks for your help ahead of time :nod: !

[Shea]

2/ Victorian Fiction. Jane Eyre and Middlemarch
(Well, I've read the books and didn't like them too much, but maybe there are some hidden features to Victorian fiction that I might have missed...?)


I've never read Middlemarch, but I took a class on the Bronte sisters when I was at Cambridge. It was really nice to get a good background of the times for women. It help me to understand and enjoy the stories more.



5/ Nathaniel Hawthorne. Selected Short Fiction
(I've read The Scarlett Letter and liked it, but don't know a lot about his short stories. Are they interesting enough to get me hooked for a whole semester :p ?)

Ooooh! I loved my class on Gothic Fiction! We studied Hawthorne and Poe. I've always enjoyed Hawthorne's short stories. If you liked The Scarlett Letter, you'll probably like his others.



9/ The New Woman. The Awakening and Herland.
(Haven't read the titles and haven't been much into feminism literary theory yet...you ? )


I enjoyed the Bronte sisters thought they were early feminist writers, but I hated The Awakening. But I am rather prudish.

[Idril]

Wow, that's a tough one. My first response would be to pick the Victorian one because I love Victorian literature but then you'd have to read Middlemarch and I could never recommend anyone read that, I thought it was mind-numbingly boring.

My next choice would be the New Woman. I'm not much into feminist theory either but I read Herland in college and thought it was interesting. In fact, I think I still have it, it's a short little book, I should reread it.

I think the Jewish Autobiographies would be fascinating, especially the Russian ones.

[Virgil]

Wow. Your school offers quite a bit. Some good courses there. I guess as an undergrad you don't need to focus on a era. If you do, and you know which era you want to become an expert in, that might alter your decision. Here are my thoughts on your options.



1/ Ben Jonson's The Alchemist und Bartholomew Fair
(I've never read anything by Jonson, what are his plays like ?)

I'm not sure I've read those, but Jonson is very funny and engaging. I know I've read Volpone. I like him, although he's no Shakespeare, he's got a particular world view less idealistic than Shakespeare. I think this would be a good choice if you like Elizabethan drama. He's easier to read than Shakespeare too.



2/ Victorian Fiction. Jane Eyre and Middlemarch
(Well, I've read the books and didn't like them too much, but maybe there are some hidden features to Victorian fiction that I might have missed...?)
Those aren't my favorite books of the period, but I find Victorian literature interesting. Very wordy and requires time.


3/ First World War Poetry
(Clueless as to this one)
I've never been a fan of the WWI poets; some good stuff, but no where near as good as the non WWI poets of the era. I always suspect an anti-war message from professors who want to make a political point when they focus on minor poets like this.


4/ Theory of Drama
(sounds very theoretical...Possibly dry ?)
Sounds very interesting to me. I never really had anything like this. I suspect you will read plays and analyze how they're put on stage. I wish I could take this.


5/ Nathaniel Hawthorne. Selected Short Fiction
(I've read The Scarlett Letter and liked it, but don't know a lot about his short stories. Are they interesting enough to get me hooked for a whole semester :p ?)
Actually some of them are very good, but a whole semester might be too much.

6
/ Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost
(well, I'm usually kind of scared of poetry, but it sounds tempting all the same :D)
Oh I would love this, and I would help you whenever you had questions. Very American and post Romanticism.


7/ American Dreams, American Nightmares. Death of a Salesman and Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?
(I've read the two plays, but I don't know too much about their contextual background. Interesting ?)
Not to me. While a good play, I've always felt Death of a Salesman to be over rated. I've never read the other, but I've never heard anyone say it was a great play, nor was it a required read in any class I've taken.


8/ Tales of Acculturation. Jewish Autobiographies in America and Russia.
(errr, yeah :goof:)
A sub section of what we might call here immigration or assimilation literature. Definetly dry for an undergrad, unless you're interested in the subject.


9/ The New Woman. The Awakening and Herland.
(Haven't read the titles and haven't been much into feminism literary theory yet...you ? )
The Awakening is a good short novel. I don't recognize the others. "Herland"??!! Sounds very feminist oriented and it would defintely not appeal to me. ;)


Hope that helps. Let us know what you choose.

[kilted exile]

I would take the WW1 poetry class. I like WW1 poetry as it shows the mindset of people experiencing death and destruction for the first time and not quite understanding why - especially in a pointless, avoidable war such as WW1

[Schokokeks]

Thank you for your answers ! It seems I can't make a wrong pick :D


Victorian Fiction [...] It was really nice to get a good background of the times for women. It help me to understand and enjoy the stories more.
Yes, that was why I'm still considering it, although I didn't enjoy the works during my first read, but I've often noticed that discussion makes things more interesting :nod:.


I read Herland in college and thought it was interesting
I remember my high school teacher (a "she" :D) was a huge fan of it, and I think we read a short excerpt...It's about two men discovering a secret society entirely rules by women, right ?


If you do, and you know which era you want to become an expert in, that might alter your decision.
That's what I thought, too. I needn't, but I would love to specialise in Renaissance literature. There is another course on Marlowe offered, but not listed here, that would have been my absolute first choice, but sadly it interferes with my Greek class :(.
Consequently, I should opt for Jonson, but I just got an email back from the professor saying that the classes will be held in German (!), and as to now I'm not inclined to take a course on English literature in German :rolleyes:.

As their titles on the homepage are given in German, I suspect Victorian Fiction and Theory of Drama might be in German, too, and I'm still waiting for confirmation there...

[Virgil]

That's what I thought, too. I needn't, but I would love to specialise in Renaissance literature. There is another course on Marlowe offered, but not listed here, that would have been my absolute first choice, but sadly it interferes with my Greek class :(.
Consequently, I should opt for Jonson, but I just got an email back from the professor saying that the classes will be held in German (!), and as to now I'm not inclined to take a course on English literature in German :rolleyes:.


Plays read very fast. You could read them in both languages and it would hardly cut into your time. Then Dickensen/Frost would be what I would go for. I can help, and you'll have to start reading poetry sooner or later. ;)

No, I'm not trying to infleuence you. Pick what you would enjoy best.

[Schokokeks]

Plays read very fast. You could read them in both languages and it would hardly cut into your time.
What worries me is my previous experience with professors giving courses in German. They usually do so because their own English is shamefully bad, and after all as a student of English I also want to improve my written and spoken English and I just find it weird to read a play in English and then discuss it in German and write a term paper in German about it.
But if a lot of other courses will be in German too, I guess I won't be able to avoid it...


Then Dickensen/Frost would be what I would go for. I can help, and you'll have to start reading poetry sooner or later. ;)
You know, that was what I would have picked spontaneously after having read the selection and realising I couldn't take Marlowe. Although I'm really no expert in poetry and don't feel on safe ground there, that's the reason why I found it tempting, for at the moment I know so little about it. Thank you very much for offering your help ! I will reconsider the question of courses in German and then carefully weigh my decision :nod:.

No, I'm not trying to infleuence you. Pick what you would enjoy best.
Oh no, I don't feel like you're influencing me :). Your help is really appreciated :nod:, thanks again.

[SleepyWitch]

What worries me is my previous experience with professors giving courses in German. They usually do so because their own English is shamefully bad,

aaaargh, just like our Lit professors. the Linguists' English is excellent and they give most courses in English but the Lit guys are a nightmare!

I'd go for the Jewish autobiographies. It probably won't prepare you for your exams (graduation), unless you're taking an M.A., but, on the other hand, would you really want to spent a whole semester talking about two books/plays only? Besides, Jewish literature is cool. can be really funny (although I'm not sure about the Russian autobiographies)

wanna see our course handbook? it's almost as bad as yours :) we're lucky if there's one course to a semester where you actually read more than one book. for some reason, the lit guys read only one book (plus a reference book on history if the course is to do with history), while the Cultural Studies folks do all the reading. (of course, people studying to become a teacher, can't take Culture credits, so we don't read any books) araaaaaaaaargh, sorry I ranted so much

[SleepyWitch]

American Dreams/Nightmares sounds cool, too. (again: what's wrong with reading more than 2 plays a semester? in England, they'd make you read 15... which is way too much, but something like 5 wouldn't hurt???)

[Schokokeks]

aaaargh, just like our Lit professors. the Linguists' English is excellent and they give most courses in English but the Lit guys are a nightmare!
Probably it is because the Linguists know about L1 interference that they actually work on theirs ! :p


what's wrong with reading more than 2 plays a semester? in England, they'd make you read 15... which is way too much, but something like 5 wouldn't hurt???)
I agree ! That's why I'm really tempted towards the poetry thing... Although with Victorian Fiction it says that in addition to the books mentioned in the title, excerpts from others will be read, too; however, it looks like Victorian Fiction will be in German...:flare:

I did a voluntary, non-credit seminar on English drama in the 19th century this semester, and we read and discussed nine plays, which I find an ideal amount. If I were to analyse only two books / plays per semester, I'd very likely hate them by the end of it :rolleyes:.

[Virgil]

How long is your semester, Schoky? Ours were about four months and a typical lit class was three times per week for an hour each day.

[SleepyWitch]

What worries me is my previous experience with professors giving courses in German. They usually do so because their own English is shamefully bad, and after all as a student of English I also want to improve my written and spoken English and I just find it weird to read a play in English and then discuss it in German and write a term paper in German about it.
But if a lot of other courses will be in German too, I guess I won't be able to avoid it...


well, if you like Renaissance lit, I'd go for it anyway. are there any regulations about the language term papers have to be written in? at my univ, you can write them in English even if the course is in German.
I took a seminar about English fairy tales once and it was in English all right but the prof asked us not to write papers in English seeing as "If what you write sounds weird I won't be able to make out whether it's only because your English is bad or you're stupid". I wrote mine in English anyway and made exactly one mistake in 10 pages and guess what? He said my English was great and is there a native speaker in my family and blabla and he completely forgot he'd told us not to write in English.

Jonson is cool :) like Uncle Virgil, I only read Volpone, though.
hurumpf, could this be another case of "let's read the 2nd and 3rd most famous plays because everyone read Volpone in kindergarten, anyway?"... ;)

[Schokokeks]

How long is your semester, Schoky? Ours were about four months and a typical lit class was three times per week for an hour each day.
Our semester is about four months, too; a lit class here varies between two and four hours per week depending on the kind of the class, two hours a day. The class I'm to choose here will be a two-hours course.


well, if you like Renaissance lit, I'd go for it anyway. are there any regulations about the language term papers have to be written in? at my univ, you can write them in English even if the course is in German.
I'm not really sure as to the language of the term papers, I've never ever considered taking a German course yet :D. I mean, it would be really ridiculous if someone (a student of English!) chooses to write his term paper in English, but is not allowed to by the professor. What kind of educational policy would that be ?! *shakes her head in indignant amazement*
But great that you showed your professor how to do it :D.

Awww, choosing this is so difficult !!! :(

By now, I've talked with my Greek professor, and there might be a possibility of my taking another Greek course. Then I would be able to take the Marlowe course I wanted so badly :D. However, it's not yet sure whether it will work out, and I won't know until the beginning of the semester, and I fear it will be too late then to register for another course instead of Marlowe... *sighs*

[dramasnot6]

Drama Theory looks very interesting! It will probably be a lot liked Lit theory i'm sure. :) Good luck Cookie!!

[Schokokeks]

Drama Theory looks very interesting! It will probably be a lot liked Lit theory i'm sure. :) Good luck Cookie!!
Thank you, Drama :). I bet you're already waiting impatiently for the day you'll enter university, eh ? ;)

[dramasnot6]

Thank you, Drama :). I bet you're already waiting impatiently for the day you'll enter university, eh ? ;)

How did you know? :D You bet I am! Working extra extra hard in high school to get out of here ASAP and go to Uni for some really delicious learning:D ;) I really want to study philosophy and psychology in a classroom and not just on my own.

[Schokokeks]

How did you know? :D
Hehe, not so long ago that I was 14 :).


You bet I am! Working extra extra hard in high school to get out of here ASAP and go to Uni for some really delicious learning:D ;) I really want to study philosophy and psychology in a classroom and not just on my own.
I understand you completely :nod:. I was very bored at high-school (sounds quite arrogant, but never mind :D), and all the time until graduation I used to build high hopes on the time when I would finally be at university.
And now that I'm there, uni really is paradise. The only thing that disappointed me, however, were/are my fellow students. Maybe that's just a problem at German universitites, but I notice every day that 80% of my classmates don't care a bit about what they are studying. There are hardly ever any discussions, because only four out of 25 people read the book, and two of the four don't want to contribute ! and people never stop complaining about everything, though actually nobody forced them to take English :rolleyes: I just hope that will be better beyond the undergrad level...

I'm sorry about that rant, I definetely don't want to spoil your dreams ! It's absolute worth going to uni :nod: But you should select yours very carefully, but I'm sure you'll do so :).
I feel united with you in a spirit of shared ambition now ;).

[dramasnot6]

I understand you completely :nod:. I was very bored at high-school (sounds quite arrogant, but never mind :D), and all the time until graduation I used to build high hopes on the time when I would finally be at university.
And now that I'm there, uni really is paradise. The only thing that disappointed me, however, were/are my fellow students. Maybe that's just a problem at German universitites, but I notice every day that 80% of my classmates don't care a bit about what they are studying. There are hardly ever any discussions, because only four out of 25 people read the book, and two of the four don't want to contribute ! and people never stop complaining about everything, though actually nobody forced them to take English :rolleyes: I just hope that will be better beyond the undergrad level...



Oh, it is the same over here with the high schoolers! The classes arent great, but when we do get the chance to really learn something interesting nobody seems to care or they're upset with having to do more brain work or be creative. I'm sure it will get better cookie! As long as you feel you're working hard and enjoying everything :) That's why I love LitNet, over here people actually WANT to discuss texts :D


I'm sorry about that rant, I definetely don't want to spoil your dreams ! It's absolute worth going to uni :nod: But you should select yours very carefully, but I'm sure you'll do so.
I feel united with you in a spirit of shared ambition now.
:D No spoiling, dont worry! I will just be happy to take the classes, I am used to lazy folks :p It's good you prepare me for the dark possibilities out there anyway,I wouldnt want to be dissapointed.
I feel united as well! Learning is really beautiful when you learn about something you love and hard work really does pay off. It's always wonderful to share the love of learning with someone :)

[SleepyWitch]

have you decided yet?

if you take Ben Jonson: I catalogued my books the other day and packed them in boxes because I'm moving home in March. As it happens, I've got TWO books of Jonson plays: "Five Plays by Jonson (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Plays-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0192839446/sr=1-1/qid=1170838077/ref=sr_1_1/026-9827593-0772400?ie=UTF8&s=books)" (Bartholomew Fair, Every Man in his Humour, Volpone, Sejanus, The Alchemist)
and "Three Comedies" which overlaps with the other book.
Any chance I can dump the Five Plays on you? The postage would be a bit on the expensive side, but I'd be willing to swap the book (-I'm not gonna re-read it anyway) for 3-5 postcards of Heidelberg in an envelope ????
there must be a catch somewhere? Nope, it's just Sleepy's boundless generosity :)
heheh, no I'm not trying to get rid of excess books :) :D

[Nightshade]

Meh! I just posted this :mad:
AM I the only one who took WWI poetry as an A level? odd that but anyway like kilted said it is interesting, in fact I found the whole charting of change in how you think from 'its a good and noble thing' to ' if any ask you we died, tell them because our fathers lied' fasinating. The only thing bugged me was unfortunatly for me 'the greates poet of WWI' Wilfred Owen, I guess I dont like being desturbed. I prefer Sassoon anywho there are some really very introductory books I can recommend. :D

[Scheherazade]

Actually, I agree with you Night that WWI Poetry is very interesting and touching... And it is also somewhat essential for understanding the changes that took place in literature/philosophy/psychology after the WWI...
It has the whole All Quiet on the Western Front feel to it, which I love.

[Nightshade]

And I thought of somthing else, you can read poetry from both sides :nod: I am right arent I ?? And that would give an even bigger picture.:nod:

[Schokokeks]

have you decided yet?
No, I still can't decide, because they keep moving my other courses back and forth in the timetable. I just hate that semester-organisation-chaos :rage:.


Any chance I can dump the Five Plays on you?
Aww, you're such a benevolent spirit :nod: - see your PM inbox ;).

[Koa]

I'd do WWI poetry, but I'm kinf of obsessed with world wars so I'd take any course about it. (is ir only in English Lit.? Otherwise Ungaretti and Trakl spring to mind if you want to have a google ;))
I never had such choices in my undergraduate course, because we simply had no choices. We did, for ex., English Lit 1, 2, 3, according to the year, and the programme was decided by the teacher. I had a very hard time with choices now in my Master, even if tehre wasn't a broad choice (only one year = not many courses). I feel so sad because it will be over soon :eek: