HUSL 6312 Hardy, Darwin and Friends TH 10am - 12:45pm JO 4.708 Prof. Pamela Gossin Email: psgossin@utdallas.

edu Office JO 3.927 Office Hrs: Thr 2-4pm + W, F by appt - just email me!

Course Description:

What is our place in nature? What does it mean to be a conscious being within the organic and inorganic universe? How did concepts of inheritance, heredity and evolutionary natural development inform various forms of literary, philosophical and natural historical inquiry produced in Great Britain during the long nineteenth century? In what ways did authors use of form and genre relate to their understanding of natural history, astronomy and cosmology? In this course we will examine some of the most powerful 19th-c narratives produced in response to such questions, focusing on the works of Thomas Hardy and Charles Darwin, in relation to other contemporary writers who engaged similar issues. Class discussions will include such topics as: literary style, narrative forms and genres, concepts of progress, gender, class, aesthetic and moral values, ideas of God and nature, the Industrial Revolution, geology, and evolutionary theory. The class will be an in-depth immersion into the worlds of the 19th-c novel and non-fiction narrative, with a heavy reading load of primary texts (averaging 400-500pp per week), as well as additional assignments in critical theory and scholarly criticism. Class format will include daily participation in class discussion, student presentations, supplemental informational background lectures and extra credit / enrichment videos. * NOTE: Although the historical contexts of scientific and technological change will inform our reading and discussion, no previous background in science or technology is required. * This course should be of special value and interest to intermediate and advanced graduate students who already have strong backgrounds in 19th-c British literature and history and are seeking to develop a deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary relations between creative literature and the history of science, especially natural history, evolutionary theory, astronomy and cosmology.

Course objectives: Students will read and discuss a wide variety of literary forms and genres, demonstrating the ability to interpret and analyze themes and issues using various critical methods, including formal, historical, biographical and cultural approaches. Students will write one or more brief critiques and one mid-length analytical and interpretative paper, using primary and secondary sources. A variety of additional extra credit writing assignments will also be available.

REQUIRED TEXTS Appleman, Philip, ed., Darwin, 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company (2000) ISBN-10: 0393958493 ISBN-13: 978-0393958492 Keynes, Creation: True Story of Charles Darwin, Riverhead Trade (2009) ISBN-10: 1594484740 ASIN: B003YDXDH2 Hardy, Thomas: Pair of Blue Eyes, Oxford (Reissue, 2009) ISBN-10: 0199538492 ISBN-13: 978-0199538492 Far From the Madding Crowd, Norton; 1st edition (1986) ISBN-10: 9780393954081 ISBN-13: 978-0393954081 The Return of the Native, Norton; 2nd edition (2006) ISBN-10: 0393927873 ISBN-13: 978-0393927870 Two on a Tower, Penguin Classics (2000) ISBN-10: 0140435360 ISBN-13: 978-0140435368 The Woodlanders, Oxford (Reissue, 2009) ISBN-10: 0199538530 ISBN-13: 978-0199538539 Tess of the DUrbervilles, Norton; 3rd edition (1990) ISBN-10: 9780393959031 ISBN-13: 978-0393959031 Jude the Obscure, Norton & Company; 2nd edition (1999) ISBN-10: 9780393972788 ISBN-13: 978-0393972788 Horace Walpole, Castle of Otranto, Oxford (2009) ISBN-10: 9780199537211 ISBN-13: 978-0199537211 H.G. Wells, Time Machine, Dover; Centennial Edition (1995) ISBN-10: 9780486284729 ISBN-13: 978-0486284729

RESERVED TEXT: (2 hr Reserve) Rosemarie Morgan, ed, The Ashgate Companion to Thomas Hardy

RECOMMENDED TEXTS: Students will select 1 scholarly/critical text from this list or choose another similar text, with professors prior approval Beer, Gillian, Darwins Plots, Cambridge; 3rd edition; ISBN-10: 9780521743617 ISBN-13: 978-0521743617 Gossin, Pamela, Thomas Hardys Novel Universe, Ashgate (2007) ISBN-10: 0754603369 ISBN-13: 978-0754603368 Graham, Peter, Jane Austen and Charles Darwin, Ashgate (2008) ISBN-10: 9780754658511 ISBN-13: 978-0754658511 Levine, George, Darwin Loves You, Princeton (2008) ISBN-10: 0691136394 ISBN-13: 978-0691136394 Ruse, Darwinism and its Discontents, Cambridge (2008) ISBN-10: 9780521728249 ISBN-13: 978-0521728249 Other suggested titles: (not ordered for the bookstores) Carroll, Literary Darwinism Knellwolf and Goodall, Frankensteins Science Secord, Victorian Sensation Young, Kay. Imaging Minds: The Neuro-Aesthetics of Austen, Eliot, and Hardy

Grading / Course Requirements - Attendance / participation (including extra credit): 1/3rd - 2 in-class presentations w/ accompanying 2-3pp summary/critique of: a) a book chapter from the Ashgate Hardy Companion (on RESERVE at Library) and, b) a book-length critical perspective/scholarly study, averaged to = 1/3rd - 12-15 pp conference style paper on topic discussed in class and in consultation with prof. = 1/3rd of grade (With prior permission, students may also opt to write a portfolio-length paper 25-35pp) For their paper topics, students may either explore a comparison of Hardy with a near-peer 1819th or early-20th-c novelist or examine an aspect of 19th-c science or Darwinism in relation to 19th-c literary works

COURSE CALENDAR / DAILY ASSIGNMENTS * Please have all readings listed under a particular class day, read FOR that class days discussion. *

WK 1: R. AUGUST 25: Introduction to the course. 1hr: Go over class cards; discuss class structure, syllabus; course objectives and themes; 15 min Break 1hr: Discuss Historical and Literary Background to the class, esp. relevant approaches to literary analysis and interpretation / critical methods.

WK 2: R. SEPTEMBER 1: Literary Narrative: Natural or Supernatural? 1h.15m: Discuss literary precursor to Hardy: Castle of Otranto: Gothic conventions; how do conventions become conventional? Social and economic importance of concepts and control of heredity: and inheritance 15min. Break 1h.15m: Biographical bkgrd on Hardy; 19th-c scientific bkgrd: Experimental Physiology and the Science of Life

WK 3: R. SEPTEMBER 8: Representations of the History of Nature, pt.1 1h: Evolutionary ideas before Darwin 15min break 1h.30m: Discuss Keynes book (excerpts of Creation video, if time?)

WK 4: R. SEPTEMBER 15: Darwins View of the History of Nature, pt. 2 1h.15m. Discuss Origins excerpts (as listed on study-sheets) 15 min break 1h.15m: Discuss Descent excerpts (as listed on study-sheets)

WK 5: R. SEPTEMBER 22: The Genre of Sexual Selection 1h.15m: Begin discussion of A Pair of Blue Eyes 15 min break 30m: conclude discussion of PBE 45m: group critique of E-RESERVE article, Paul Ward, A Pair of Blue Eyes and the Descent of Man Thomas Hardy Yearbook 5(1975): 47-55

WK 6: R. SEPTEMBER 29: Human Adaptation to the Environment 1h15m: Begin discussion of Far From the Madding Crowd 15min break 30min: conclude discussion of FFMC 45min: (20m) 1st student presentation of book chapter: _______________________ (25m) 1st student presentation of scholarly book: ______________________

WK 7: R. OCTOBER 6: Human Nature, Nature and Culture 1h15m: Begin discussion of Return of the Native 15min break 30min: conclude discussion of RN 45min: (20m) 2nd student presentation of book chapter: _______________________ (25m) 2nd student presentation of scholarly book: ______________________

WK 8 R. OCTOBER 13: The Organic and Inorganic Universes: Cosmic Contexts 1h15m: Begin discussion of Two on a Tower 15min break 30min: conclude discussion of TonT 45min: (20m) 3rd student presentation of book chapter: ______________________ (25m) 3rd student presentation of scholarly book: ______________________

WK 9 R. OCTOBER 20: Humanitys Natural Habitat: can we go home again? 1h15m: Begin discussion of The Woodlanders 15min break 30min: conclude discussion of WL 45min: (20m) 4th student presentation of book chapter: _______________________ (25m) 4th student presentation of scholarly book: ______________________

WK 10 R. OCTOBER 27: The Tragedy of Evolutionary Time: Adaptation and Acculturation 1h15m: Begin discussion of Tess 15min break 30min: conclude discussion of Tess 45min: (20m) 5th student presentation of book chapter: _______________________ (25m) 5th student presentation of scholarly book: ______________________

WK 11 R. NOVEMBER 3: NO CLASS INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH CONSULTATION DAY (if desired)

WK 12 R. NOVEMBER 10: Cultural and Spiritual Evolution and their Discontents 1h15m: Begin discussion of Jude 15min break 30min: conclude discussion of Jude 45min: (20m) 6th student presentation of book chapter: _______________________ (25m) 6th student presentation of scholarly book: ______________________

WK 13 R. NOVEMBER 17: Beyond Hardy: Science Fiction? 1h15m: Begin discussion of Time Machine 15min break 30min: conclude discussion of TM 45min: (20m) 7th student presentation of book chapter: _______________________ (25m) 7th student presentation of scholarly book: ______________________

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! NO CLASS

WK 14 R. DECEMBER 1: STUDENT CONFERENCE STYLE (12-15min) PRESENTATIONS *** R. DECEMBER 8th: POLISHED PAPERS DUE at 10 am (listen for announcements) ***

Instructors Policies and Class Philosophy Please inform the professor in advance (via utd email ) of any possible absences or situations that may keep you from submitting assignments on time. Ill try to help in any way I can. Late assignments will not be accepted nor absences excused without such prior notice. Because attendance and participation count as a substantial part of your grade in this course, unexcused absences, tardy arrivals, early departures will count against this portion of your grade. In accordance with university policy (and my personal and professional values), this is a drugfree, alcohol-free, smoke-free, barrier-free classroom. In the interests of promoting a comfortable learning environment, all students and the professor pledge to respectfully consider the expression of ideas and opinions by others regardless of political, philosophical, religious, intellectual, cultural, racial, generational or gender differences. Any student found guilty of plagiarism (using another person's thoughts, words, ideas, terminology etc. without properly acknowledging them with footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetically in the text with a bibliography will be subject to disciplinary action under the policies of the University of Texas-Dallas. See the university's student code, MLA style sheet or Chicago Manual of Style for more information. All syllabus info.,descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor. Students are responsible for listening for in-class announcements/changes and checking their UTDallas email accounts and / or WebCT for additional messages (which may supercede info. on this syllabus).

FOR ADDITIONAL APPLICABLE UTD POLICY STATEMENTS SEE: http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies