This course will introduce you to several exemplary early novels: Lazarillo de Tormes; Don Quixote by Cervantes; The Pilgrim’s Progress by Bunyan (Part I: book or online); Robinson Crusoe by Defoe (book or online, Chapters I-X:); Joseph Andrews by Fielding, and Tristram Shandy by Sterne. (No ebooks, please.) Discussions will focus on the poetics of the novel as a literary genre and the problems associated with its emergence in England. Our main objective is to read the primary texts, understand the main literary issues, and learn the critical vocabulary related to the genre of the novel. 329 is an upper-level English course with a heavy reading load. Requirements and grading: brief assignments on each major novel, quizzes, participation, attendance (20% of your course grade), midterm (40%), final examination (40%).