         html = template @getTemplateData()
 
         # Replace HTML
-        # This is a workaround for an apparent issue with jQuery 1.7's innerShiv feature
+        # This is a workaround for an apparent issue with jQuery 1.7’s innerShiv feature
         # Using @$el.html(html) caused issues with HTML5-only tags in IE7 and IE8
         @$el.empty().append html
+
+      # Automatically append to DOM if the container element is set
+      # TODO: Sometimes it’s better to do this at the end of a specific render method
+      if @$container
+        @$container.append @el
 
       # Return this
       @

      #console.debug 'View#dispose', @, 'finished'
      @disposed = true

      # Your're frozen when your heart's not open
      Object.freeze? @

    # Mixin a Subscriber
    _(View.prototype).defaults Subscriber

    # View container element
    # Set this property in a derived class to specify the container element.
    # The view is automatically appended to the container element
    # when it’s rendered.
    containerSelector: null
    $container: null


    initialize: ->
      #console.debug 'View#initialize', @

      # Listen for disposal of the model
      # If the model is disposed, automatically dispose the associated view
      if @model or @collection
        @modelBind 'dispose', @dispose

