Sample Syllabus 1

Sample Syllabus 1

Principles of Literary Study Professor Brad Evans
01:350:220:02 Murray Hall 014
M, TH 2 (9:50-11:10) Hours: TH 1:45-3:45
Hardenberg Hall A2 932-7387
bevans@rci.rutgers.edu

One of two gateway courses in the English Department, Principles of Literary Study (220) provides an introduction to the study of narrative, offering training in how to read and write about it from "within the field" of literary studies (i.e. like an "English major"). To do so, the course will explore the variety of stylistic forms deployed in the construction of narratives, such as character, plot, setting, point of view, and genre. It will also push you to recognize the philosophical, or "theoretical," lenses through which attention to these forms - and, indeed, others, like historical, ideological and social contexts - become interesting or problematic. Discussion will thus attend to "close readings" of the various texts, but also to some "big questions" about what literature is and what we do when we read and write about it. By the end of the course, you should have developed the basic knowledge needed to pursue more advanced studies in literature: a firm grasp of the vocabulary used to talk about fiction, an understanding of the way narrative works, and a grounding in the conventions of the academic essay.

Required Texts (Available at the Recto/Verso Bookstore):
-ed. Roger Angell, Nothing But You: Love Stories from the New Yorker
-Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth
-Laclos, Les liaisons dangereuses (2 editions were ordered and either is fine)
-William Faulkner, Light in August
-Toni Morrison, Beloved

Recommended:
-Modern Languages Association (MLA) Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
-A good dictionary of literary terms (i.e. M.H. Abram's A Glossary of Literary Terms)

Part One
The Elements of Fiction: Modern Love

9-7	Introduction to the Class: What is "a reading"?
9-11	Fact and Fiction: Martin Luther King and Malcolm X (handouts)
9-14	V.S. Pritchett, "The Diver," NBY Jamaica Kincaid, "Song of Roland," NBY
9-18	Raymond Carver, "Blackbird Pie," NBY Katherine Heiny, "How to Give the Wrong Impression," NBY
9-21	Vladimir Nabokov, "The Circle," NBY Woody Allen, "The Kugelmass Episode," NBY

Part Two
Explication, Interpretation, Translation

9-25	Toni Morrison, Beloved 1-63 Warm-Up #1 Due
9-28	Beloved 64-105
10-2	Beloved 106-165
10-5	Beloved 166-235
10-9	Beloved 236-275
10-12	Open Discussion Warm-Up #2 Due
10-16	Laclos, Les liaisons dangereuses, Part One (letters 1-50)
10-19	LLD Part Two (letters 51-87)
10-23	No Class. Film Screening in the evening
10-26	LLD Part Three (letters 88-124)
10-30	LLD Part Four (letters 125-175)
11-2	Open Discussion Essay #1 Due

Part Three
Truth in Fiction: The Problem of Realism

11-6	Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth 1-6 (5-74)
11-9	The House of Mirth 7-12 (74-136)
11-13	The House of Mirth 13-2 (136-203)
11-16	The House of Mirth 3-8 (203-265)
11-20	The House of Mirth 9-end (265-320)
11-23	THANKSGIVING - NO CLASS Warm-up #3 Due
11-27	William Faulkner, A Light in August 1-5 (3-118)
11-30	A Light in August 6-9 (119-219)
12-4	A Light in August 10-14 (220-340)
12-7	A Light in August 15-18 (340-442)
12-18	A Light in August 10-end (442-507)
12-21	Exam Date: Final Essay Due in Evans Mailbox, Murray Hall by 9 AM

Course Requirements:

This class is primarily about fiction, but it is also about how to write and talk about fiction. For that reason, you need to participate in the class (and will be graded on that participation). You will also be handing in five written assignments: three "warm-ups" of 2-3 pages and two "essays" of 5-7 pages. Specific instructions will be provided for each assignment. There will likely be a number of unannounced, in-class writing assignments and/or quizzes. There is no final.