University of Virginia Library

LINDEN KENT MEMORIAL SCHOOL OF ENGLISH
LITERATURE.

Professor Kent.

Experience has shown that of the large number who elect English Literature
as one of their studies here, a few are prepared to do work even more
advanced than that offered in the B. A. Course, some are able to accomplish
successfully, but without ease, the work assigned, and many find it too difficult.
It seems advisable, therefore, to divide the course, not for the purpose
of making graduation materially more difficult, though the nature of the
work be slightly changed, but in order to adapt it more closely to the requirements
of the students. This division will also enable the instructor to
readjust the work and thereby add to its interest and widen its scope.

B. A. COURSE.

A.—First Year. In addition to a certain maturity of mind and general
mental training, students who desire to pursue this course with profit should
have an accurate knowledge of the principles of English grammar, including
orthography, and some knowledge of the elements of rhetoric. Previous practice
in composition is well-nigh essential to the successful prosecution of
the work of the class, while information about the history and contents of
English Literature will add materially to appreciation of the lectures. Three
hours a week. In evidence of the successful completion of this course a
certificate is awarded.

For convenience of presentation, the course is divided as follows:

1. Rhetoric.—This will comprise a careful study of the principles of style
in prose discourse. Particular attention will be paid to frequent written
exercises, and to the critical analysis of selected specimens of English prose.

Text-Books.—Genung's Practical Rhetoric; Genung's Hand-book of Rhetorical
Analysis; Hill's Foundations of Rhetoric; Scott and Denney's Paragraph-writing.

2. General History of English Literature.—This course will follow in the
main the outline provided by Pancoast's Introduction to English Literature.
The text will be prefaced by a few lectures on the development of English
literature prior to Chaucer, and be supplemented throughout by explanations,
assigned topics for class-study, lectures, etc. Besides the various written
exercises of this class, two essays will be required. These will be due on
December 3d and April 2d.

B.—Second Year. Admission to this class presupposes preparation in
character similar, if not equal, to that offered in Course A., which is intended
to lead directly into this course. This class will meet three times a

week, and graduation in this Course B. is necessary for those who elect
English Literature as one of their studies for the B. A. degree.

This course is as follows:

1. Rhetoric.—This will comprise first a rapid review of the principles of
style as illustrated by the Sentence and the Paragraph, and then a careful
study of invention in prose discourse. There will be occasional written exercises,
and particular attention will be given to the critical analysis of selected
specimens of Descriptive, Narrative, Expository, and Argumentative Prose.
The course will be based on Genung's Rhetoric, but will not be limited to it.

Text-Books.—Genung's Rhetoric; Genung's Hand-book of Rhetorical Analysis;
Baldwin's Specimens of Prose Description; Brewster's Specimens of Narration; Lamont's
Specimens of Exposition, and Baker's Specimens of Argumentation.

2. Versification.—This course will be based upon the Professor's Notes
on Poetics, and will consider the mechanism of verse, the artistic elements in
versification, history of verse-forms, kinds of poetry, etc.

Class-exercises of various kinds will be assigned from time to time.

Text-Book.—Professor's Notes. References.—Gummere's Hand-book of Poetics;
Guest's English Rhythms; Schipper's Englische Metrik; Lanier's Science of English
Verse, etc.

3. Literature.—As members of this class are supposed to have some
general acquaintance with the historical development of English Literature,
this course will comprise some period of time, some literary form, some
author or group of authors, or some general division of literary history.

For '96-97 there will be offered a course in American Literature.

Text-Book.—Richardson's American Literature, supplemented by general and special
references.

Essays.—Besides the occasional written exercises of the class, four essays
will be required of each student applying for graduation in this B. A. Course.
These will be due October 14th, December 18th, March 18th, May 1st. The
subjects will, in some cases, be assigned and at other times be left to the
choice of the student, but will fall under these general heads; Description,
Narration, Exposition, Argumentation or Persuasion.

M. A. COURSE.

In this course there will be occasional lectures, but in general the exercises
of the class will be conducted by questions, conversation and conference.
Readings will be assigned, independent investigation insisted upon, and written
reports required from time to time. The students will be encouraged to
form their own judgments and to express them orally or in writing. References

for each author, period, or subject studied will be given, and the free
use of the library in this and all courses is cordially recommended.

COURSES HERETOFORE OFFERED.

• I. Representative Writers of English Prose.

• II. History of Lyric Poetry from 1550 to 1800.

• III. British Essayists from Bacon to Burke.

• IV. Victorian and American Poets.

• V. Tennyson, the Representative Poet of the Nineteenth Century.

COURSES ANNOUNCED FOR '96-97.

II. The History of Lyric Poetry from 1550 to 1800.

This course includes:

1. Lyric Poems from the Elizabethan Dramatists; 2. Lyric Poems from
the Elizabethan Romances; 3. Jacobean Lyric Poets; 4. Lyric Poetry in
the Puritan Era; 5. Lyric Poetry in the Restoration Era; 6. Lyric Poems
from the Restoration Dramatists; 7. The Romantic Movement illustrated
by the study of certain poets of the Eighteenth Century; 8. Burns, the Lyrist.

VI. The British Essay in the Nineteenth Century; illustrated by the study
of, 1. The Edinburgh Reviewers (Jeffrey, Smith, and Brougham); 2. The
Blackwood Reviewers (Wilson and Lockhart); 3. Lamb; 4. Hazlitt; 5.
Hunt; 6. Landor; 7. DeQuincey; 8. Macaulay; 9. Bagehot; 10. Sir Arthur
Helps; 11. Carlyle; 12. Newman; 13. Arnold; 14. Pater; 15. Leslie
Stephen; 16. Ruskin.

Dissertation.—As an essential part of this course a dissertation showing
independent and original work will be required. The theme of this dissertation
may be selected by the student, with the Professor's approval; or, if
desired, will be assigned by the Professor, but in either case the subject must
be recorded by the Professor on or before January 15.

PH. D. COURSE.

This course will be, in some measure, adapted to the needs of the students
desiring to pursue it. Its purposes will be to cultivate more fully the love
of letters, to encourage independent and scholarly research, and to further
the art of literary expression. It will include the study of some writer, or
school of writers, or of some period or movement of literature, and will take
into consideration the political, social, and literary characteristics of the time
under discussion.