Charles Dickens (1812-1870) became one of the most prolific novelists of the nineteenth-century by marketing his writing through new forms of print. His serialized fiction appealed to the popular masses from England to America, a popularity that was strengthened by Dickens' willingness to perform to live audiences. Along with his serials, magazine essays, editorial duties, political essays, Dickens also appealed for international copyright – surely inspired by the piracy of his novels but also in recognition that authorship was a commercial endeavor and a form of intellectual property.

In this course, we will explore Charles Dickens' writings in the context of nineteenth-century print culture, a rising industrialized nation, and that nation's imperialist ethos. In addition to reading physical facsimiles of a few of Dickens' serialized novels, participants will research Dickens' enduring impact on the nineteenth-century and beyond; participants will also engage in lively discussions with Dickens experts from the UC Santa Cruz Dickens Universe and our own local Dickens scholars. Our concluding project will involve creating a digital exhibit of the original serials currently held in the SJSU Special Collections.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

CLO 1 Read closely in a variety of forms, styles, structures, and modes, and articulate the value of close reading in the study of literature, creative writing, or rhetoric.

CLO 2 Show familiarity with major literary works, genres, periods, and critical approaches to British, American, and World Literature

CLO 3 Write clearly, effectively, and creatively, and adjust writing style appropriately to the content, the context, and nature of the subject.

CLO 4 Develop and carry out research projects, and locate, evaluate, organize, and incorporate information effectively.

CLO 5 Articulate the relations among culture, history, and texts.