Jane Austen and Her World

This is a 6-meeting virtual class using the Zoom platform. 

Mondays, Oct 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 17, 24, 7-8:30 pm Central time

About this class:

Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday! 

Whether you're a dedicated Janeite, you've seen a movie or two, or you've always wondered what the hype is all about, this class is for you. 

You'll learn about the women writers who paved the path for her work, her scandalous and political contemporaries in Regency Britain, as well as her legacy and afterlife (including film adaptations!). We'll analyze how she criticizes the social mores of her time, including women's place in society, by comparing her novels to contemporary conduct literature and essays on women's rights. We'll admire how she helped develop the genre of "the novel" into what it is today, and particularly how she crafted such unique and memorable characters. We'll learn about her life--her loves, losses, habits, and her endless wit. We'll also read two of her novels: Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. 

Skills Acquired: Historical Analysis, Literary Criticism, Cultural Understanding, Feminist Interpretation, Comparative Reading, Critical Thinking

Please note: This class will be held live on Zoom during the dates and time listed above. If you can’t attend a session or if the time doesn’t work for you, a password-protected course page will host video recordings for registered participants to watch at their convenience.

Instructor bio: Sarah Faulkner received her PhD in English from the University of Washington, where she taught eighteenth- and nineteenth-century literature as well as writing for eight years. She currently teaches at Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle, Washington. This will be her fifth course with us.