ENGL 2170 Introduction to British Literature and Culture I
Fulfills the pre-1700 requirement. Britain, Ireland, and their archipelago were home to an exceptionally vibrant early literary tradition spanning English, French, Irish, Latin, Norse, and other languages. Writing from these islands connected rulers and rebels, merchants and monks, brewers and bureaucrats. This course is a survey of British literature (well question the term) from the beginnings to 1700. Most texts are in English; some are read in translation. The course focuses on connections between literature, power, and the formation of literary canons. The survey covers all major genres of early literature from the archipelago. Texts and authors include Beowulf, Marie de France, Chaucer, Margery Kempe, Spenser, Shakespeare, Milton, and Behn.
Course overview
- Department
- English
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall
Requirements fulfilled
- English: Earlier literatures in English: eighteenth- or nineteenth-century literature, 1700-1900 (one course, 3 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- English: Earlier literatures in English: medieval or early-modern literature, before 1700 (one course, 3 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- English: Major electives (five courses, 15 credits) from department offerings (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- English: Race, Blackness, and Language requirement (one course) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.08 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.42 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 4
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Eric Weiskott | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 17 of 18 |
| Fall 2023 | Robert Stanton | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 of 29 |
| Spring 2023 | John Yargo | 3.2 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4–6 hrs/week | 22 of 28 |
| Fall 2021 | Eric Weiskott | 4.4 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4–6 hrs/week | 19 of 30 |