How is reading and writing as an English major different from other kinds of reading and writing? This course will familiarize students with the standards and conventions of inquiry and textual analysis and focus on how to argue for their own interpretation of a literary text. We will be reading from a variety of genres from different historical periods so we can see how writers use literary forms to make sense of the world around them. Students will build a “tool kit” of skills to demonstrate how they arrived at a text-based interpretation, how to build on that analysis, and how to persuade other readers through discussion and writing of their own reading. Students will learn the principles of literary research and how to situate their own readings alongside appropriate secondary sources. This course will prepare English majors and minors with the critical reading and writing skills that they will need to succeed in upper-level literature classes.
Topics may include:
Narration & point of view; setting; symbol & figurative language; meter & rhyme; imagery, tone and personification; word choice and order; form and structure; quotation & citation; character etc.
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Acquire a basic understanding of the tools and concepts in the study of literature;
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Hone critical and rhetorical skills through close textual analysis;
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Attain a basic familiarity with a range of poetry, drama, and fiction in literary history;
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Learn to communicate well-argued claims both orally and in writing;
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Acquire a basic knowledge of research practices involved in building a critical analysis;
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Developed a basic understanding of the synthesis and integration of literary evidence and secondary sources;
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Become familiar with documenting citations using MLA format.
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be able to comprehend the assigned texts
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be able to use relevant theoretical concepts that can facilitate a structured understanding of different genres
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be able to identify and describe major generic and structural features of literary texts
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be able to relate literary exts to their social and historical contexts
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using regular feedback and guidance from the professor and peer review, be able to devise, revise and write well-argued critical essays that could benefit other students of literature
The lecture session may consist of group and class discussion, mini-lectures, student-led presentations and other discussion-based activities. Tutorials provide a more intimate space for practice and discussion and may consist of small discussion groups, writing workshops, and preparation for the lecture section.
Subject to change:
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Class participation, student-led presentations, discussion etc. (15%).
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Poetry paper: 4-5 pages (20%).
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Fiction paper: 4-5 pages (20%).
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In-class exam (20%).
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Research paper: 5-7 pages (25%).
Texts may include:
Pomerance, Bernard. The Elephant Man. Grove Press.
James, Henry. The Turn of the Screw. Bedford/St Martin’s, 2nd edition, 2004.
Shakespeare, William. The Tempest. Bedford/St Martin’s, 1st edition, 2000.
Pomerance, Bernard. The Elephant Man. Grove Press.
Lessing, Doris. The Fifth Child. Vintage.
Churchill, Caryl. Top Girls. Methuen Drama; 2nd edition.
Toosi, Sanaz. English. Theatre Communications Group.
Selected poems.
Selected short stories.