Missouri Western State College, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism
English 399-01: Reading and Writing Dublin
WF 2:00-2:50
Spring 2004
Instructor: Dr. Stacia Bensyl
Office: SSC 222-I
Phone: x5936
Office hours: M-F 10:00-11:00 and by appointment
E-mail: bensyl
Texts:
Donoghue, Emma. Hood.
Doyle, Roddy. The Commitments.
Joyce, James. Dubliners.
Synge, J.M. Playboy of the Western World.
Yeats, W.B. Ed.
James Pethica. Yeats’s Poetry, Drama,
and Prose: Authoritative Texts,
Contexts, Criticism.
Online texts: As needed.
Handouts: As needed.
Course overview:
This course is most likely unlike any other you have taken so far in your college career. Because it is linked with ETC/JOU 214, you will be using your experiences as readers and writers in this class, as well as your experience in Dublin, to create a CD-ROM suitable for your professional portfolio. Because ENG399 is a three-hour class, and because we will be spending a week in Dublin over Spring Break, we will meet for two hours per week during the semester.
Course objectives:
· students will be able to recognize the impact of Irish literature on literature in English
· students will be able to recognize the impact of urban Dublin on Irish literature
· students will have an understanding of Irish history as it relates to Irish literature
· students will experience contemporary Dublin and its literary history
To do this, students will:
· read fiction, poetry, and drama, as well as journalistic and expository prose, relating to Dublin
· participate in a week-long study-abroad experience in Dublin over Spring Break
· participate in class discussion and written assignments before, after, and during the Dublin experience
· create a CD-ROM which focuses on their experience with Irish literature and includes both visual and written texts
The Trip:
You have already received a packet of information regarding your study experience in Dublin. Pay close attention to the policies regarding behavior both as part of our group and as individuals. Those policies will be strictly enforced. Your $1100.00 trip expenses include: round-trip airfare from Kansas City, accommodation for seven nights in fully-furnished apartments, two dinners, two theater productions, a back-stage Abbey Theatre tour, admission to the Dublin Writers’ Museum, and ground transportation to and from the airport.
Assignments:
It is imperative that you come to class prepared each day. Because our class has a rather “funny” schedule, it may be tempting to take it less than seriously. Don’t yield to such temptation. Each of you is important to the functioning of the class. For the class to run smoothly, each student should participate in class discussion, both here and while we are in Dublin.
You will have the following assignments in this class:
1. An in-class presentation of 10 minutes, to be given February 13 or 27, on some aspect of Dublin that you think will be interesting for us to explore when we’re there
2. A brief (one page per day) written journal of your experience in Dublin
3. A one-page review of each dramatic production we attend in Dublin
4. A five-page research paper focusing on one aspect of literary Dublin that is particularly appealing to you.
5. A public presentation of your CD-ROM at the Professional Growth and Development Seminar scheduled for April (exact date to be announced) in lieu of final exam
Grading:
In class presentation 25 points
Journal 100 points
Play review #1 50 points
Play review #2 50 points
Research paper 100 points
Final (PG&D) 50 points
January 21 General introduction
23 “The
Sisters” Dubliners
28 “An Encounter” Dubliners
30 “The Boarding
House” Dubliners
February 4 “Clay” Dubliners
6 Playboy of the Western World Synge
11 Cathleen ni Houlihan Yeats
13 Presentations
18 Hood
20 Hood
25 Hood
27 Presentations
March 3 The Commitments
5 “The Stolen Child” Yeats page 8
“Down by the Salley Gardens” Yeats page10
“The Hosting of the Sidhe” Yeats page 10
10 “To Ireland in the Coming Times” Yeats page 21
“Easter, 1916” Yeats 73
24 Back again--discussion
26 The Commitments
30 The Commitments
April 2 TBA Yeats
7 Research paper due
TBA Yeats
9 TBA Synge
14 Riders to the Sea Synge
16 TBA Synge
21 “Ivy Day in the Committee Room” Dubliners
23 “A Mother” Dubliners
28 Practice presentations
30 Winding up
FINAL EXAM
1. Everybody needs to have a passport. If you don’t, go to the Post Office downtown TODAY and get the proper form. Go to Walgreens or Eckards and get a passport photo taken. Follow the instructions on the form and send for an EXPEDITED passport.
2. MAKE SURE YOU BRING YOUR STUDENT ID WITH YOU. THERE ARE LOTS OF DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE TO YOU.
3. Start thinking about what you’re going to pack. I suggest as little as possible. It’s really great to take just a carryon and pack a foldable bag in it to bring back souvenirs and stuff. I can go for a week with one small wheelie bag. Wear black or dark colors. Take only two pair of shoes so you can switch off. I am famous for taking clothes that are about to wear out. I take my oldest underwear and socks. I also take old pajamas. I can throw that stuff away without any guilt and I then have more room to bring stuff home.
4. A few words about souvenirs:
· Try not to load up on books in Ireland. They cost more than they do here, normally, and you can get them on Amazon anyway. If you’re really in love with something and want the Irish edition, then buy it, but try to limit yourself. Books weigh up heavy. The only real exception is something that’s out of print.
· Try to avoid tacky Irish stuff that you can get at Paper Warehouse on St. Patrick’s Day. One of my favorite places to go for things to bring home is the grocery store. Irish teas and chocolates are inexpensive and they’re authentic. Think small. Think light. Think “I’ll have to carry this later.”
· Don’t buy the first thing you see. You’ll see plenty, trust me.
5. A few words about jet lag:
· I might let you have a short nap when we get to Dublin, but that’s it. If you sleep too long you’ll regret it.
· Don’t drink too much on the plane. It really will mess up your sleep.
· Try to sleep on the plane if you can.
· Try not to sleep in late in the mornings.
Dublin Itinerary
Friday, March 12 Arrive Dublin 9:00
Travel by bus to our hotel, check in, refresh ourselves, then go downtown for Bensyl’s quick get-acquainted tour
Saturday, March 13 free morning
Theatre
early dinner
Sunday, March 14 matinee
free evening
Monday, March 15 free
Tuesday, March 16 free morning
lunch
museums
theatre
Wed., March 17 free
Thursday, March 18 free
farewell dinner
Friday, March 19 depart Dublin 2:45