jonesing for jane austen

hey aska,

I just finished my first year as a lifesci kid and I’m going into my second
as an english/global health maj.

here’s my question:

is it safe to jump into a 300 level course (ENG307 to be exact) without
having taken a proper ENG course before?

This course doesn’t have any pre-reqs, and the anti-calendar gives it a
pretty awesome review (91% retake) But I’m a little hesitant because the
only ‘English’ course i took last year was hum199 (first year seminar on
poetry). I did really well, and English has always been my best subject, but
I don’t want to get ahead of myself and assume I’ll be alright for a 300
level.

any advice? know anyone else i should talk to?

thanks in advance

———————————————

So you’re into “Victorian Women Writers”, eh? I’m into Soviet Realists, myself.

Judging by the course description (and that promising anti calendar review!), this course seems like a good one to take for an English newbie such as yourself. Here’s why:

We will situate these texts in a range of contexts such as debates about nationality, class, race, and gender; generic conventions; and the material contexts of patronage and publishing. This section of ENG307H will also introduce you to basic reference and research sources for the study of eighteenth-century English literature and English literature generally. An online exercise on Blackboard will give you practice using these before you hand in your major research paper.

Just because it’s a 300 level course, doesn’t always make it difficult. It seems like this is more of a easy breezy survey course vibe, and not a difficult intensive seminar.

Just to be sure though, I’d contact the English Department and even possibly the English Students Union in the fall about additional help or prep work required for the course (they have probably also have students who’ve taken the course before and can offer some tips). Remember that the Writing Centre is always a totally helpful resource when it comes to writing papers.

Best of luck to you in your quest to learn more about these strange creatures called “women writers.”

xoxo, Askastudent