British Literature I is the first part of a four-semester sequence of courses consisting of British Literature I, II, III and IV. British Literature I and II introduce students to British literature from its Anglo-Saxon origins up to and including the Enlightenment. Students are introduced to the historical context of the literary pieces they are reading, including social, political, and cultural history. Students also study formal aspects of literature, including word choice, literary techniques, and style. Students are taught how to read critically and to discuss and evaluate the significance and contribution of literature to human civilization.

To guide the students to 1) get aquainted with some basic literary knowledge and skills for reading certain representative works penned by the major authors of English from Old English Period to the Early Eighteenth Century. 2) form a clear understanding of the development of English Literature through different ages and periods. 3) cultivate an interest in exploring the beauty and wisdom conveyed through the masterpieces chosen. 4) be able to contextualize the relationships between a literary piece, its author, and the time in which its written, as well as to analyze them critically.

The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 9th Edition (The Major Authors), Edited by S. Greenblatt, New York: Norton and Company, 2013