Having just completed the lessons, I'm impressed with the clarity and eloquence of the lecturer, Professor Timothy Spurgin. This is just what I've been looking for - an analysis of the English novel from its early days until now. Spurgin liberally uses examples to illustrate his points. There's no better way to learn than to compare and contrast, using specific examples, instead of vague generalities. The PDF document that comes with these lessons is quite helpful.
The lessons build upon each other and are great; they explain how the English novel changed over time. The fascinating thing is that the novel changed in reaction to the changes that were taking place in England/Great Britain at different times. Of course, Dr. Spurgin tells the listener about the changes taking place in England that affect the novel. Â
Now that I've finished the series, I have a whole list of works that I'm eager to read. I think I will read them with greater insight because of the tutelage of Dr. Spurgin.
I recently listened to another of the Great Courses: CLASSICS OF BRITISH LITERATURE with Dr. John Sutherland. The course work emphasized may be similar (or in some cases identical) but their insights are different. I enjoy hearing different perspectives.
Lessons:
 1) Definitions and DistinctionsÂ
2) The âEnglishnessâ of the English NovelÂ
3) Historical Context of Early English Fiction
4) The Rise of the NovelâRichardson & Fielding
5) After 1750âSterne, Burney, and Radcliffe
6) Scott and the Historical Novel
7) Austen and the Comedic Tradition
8) Austen and the History of Consciousness
9) DickensâEarly Works
10) Novelists of the 1840sâThackeray
11) Novelists of the 1840sâThe BrontësÂ
12) DickensâLater WorksÂ
13) After 1870âReview and Preview
14) Eliot and the Multiplot NovelÂ
15) Eliot and the Unfolding of Character
16) Hardy and the Natural World
17) James and the Art of FictionÂ
18) Conrad and the âScramble for Africaâ
19) Ford and ForsterâTransition to Modernism
20) Lawrence and the âBright Book of Lifeâ
21) JoyceâDublin and Dubliners
22)JoyceâRealism and Anti-RealismÂ
23Woolf and the Poetic Novel
24) The Impact of the Novel    Â
The lessons build upon each other and are great; they explain how the English novel changed over time. The fascinating thing is that the novel changed in reaction to the changes that were taking place in England/Great Britain at different times. Of course, Dr. Spurgin tells the listener about the changes taking place in England that affect the novel. Â
Now that I've finished the series, I have a whole list of works that I'm eager to read. I think I will read them with greater insight because of the tutelage of Dr. Spurgin.
I recently listened to another of the Great Courses: CLASSICS OF BRITISH LITERATURE with Dr. John Sutherland. The course work emphasized may be similar (or in some cases identical) but their insights are different. I enjoy hearing different perspectives.
Lessons:
 1) Definitions and DistinctionsÂ
2) The âEnglishnessâ of the English NovelÂ
3) Historical Context of Early English Fiction
4) The Rise of the NovelâRichardson & Fielding
5) After 1750âSterne, Burney, and Radcliffe
6) Scott and the Historical Novel
7) Austen and the Comedic Tradition
8) Austen and the History of Consciousness
9) DickensâEarly Works
10) Novelists of the 1840sâThackeray
11) Novelists of the 1840sâThe BrontësÂ
12) DickensâLater WorksÂ
13) After 1870âReview and Preview
14) Eliot and the Multiplot NovelÂ
15) Eliot and the Unfolding of Character
16) Hardy and the Natural World
17) James and the Art of FictionÂ
18) Conrad and the âScramble for Africaâ
19) Ford and ForsterâTransition to Modernism
20) Lawrence and the âBright Book of Lifeâ
21) JoyceâDublin and Dubliners
22)JoyceâRealism and Anti-RealismÂ
23Woolf and the Poetic Novel
24) The Impact of the Novel    Â
