ENGL
2307-027: Introduction to Fiction
TR 11:00 – 12:20
Fall 2013
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the genre of fiction. In particular, this
section will focus on fiction that raises issues of power through the question
of who gets to speak.Through reading, discussing, and writing about a small
group of texts, students will build close reading skills, engage in both formal
and thematic analysis of literary texts, learn research practices and proper use
and citation of sources, and develop the skills needed to write interpretive
arguments about literary texts. All students will be responsible for
participating in class discussion, completing and revising writing assignments,
and reading and commenting on each other’s writing. This course fulfills the
Humanities requirements for TTU’s Core Curriculum. Prerequisite: ENGL 1301,
1302.
Learning Outcomes and Methods of Assessment
Students completing this course should be able to write well-structured
paragraphs about literary texts, with identifiable topic and supporting
sentences; write well-structured, multi-paragraph essays about literary texts,
with identifiable, arguable thesis statements, supporting evidence, and
conclusions; demonstrate the ability, through writing and discussion, to read
texts closely, analytically, and interpretively; revise their writing
effectively; identify and use acceptable basic research tools and methods, both
in the library and online; persuasively and responsibly integrate their research
on others’ literary scholarship into their writing, using proper citation and
acknowledgment practices; and effectively and responsibly read and comment upon
their fellow students’ writing. Students should also be able to identify
methodologies of historical, literary, philosophical, and/or aesthetic research
and recognize their applicability to everyday life; develop analytical arguments
in written and/or oral forms; and evaluate events, ideas, and artistic
expressions in terms of multiple cultural contexts and value systems. As a
course fulfilling the Humanities Core requirement, this course will help
students become able to think critically and demonstrate an understanding of the
possibility of multiple interpretations, cultural contexts, and values. These
outcomes will be assessed through participation in class discussions, peer
review assignments, an annotated bibliography, and various writing assignments
(both shorter papers and a longer research paper).
Required Texts and Materials
Required Work
| Short paper 1 | 20% |
| Short paper 2 | 20% |
| Proposal and annotated bibliography for research paper | 15% |
| Research paper | 25% |
| Peer responses / feedback | 10% |
| Participation | 10% |
Policie
sSchedule of Readings and Assignments (subject to change)
| Week 1 | T 8/27 | Introduction to the course |
| R 8/29 | Toni Cade Bambara, “The Lesson” | |
| Week 2 | T 9/3 | Frank O’Connor, “Guests of the Nation” Chinua Achebe, “Marriage Is a Private Affair” |
| R 9/5 | Behn, Oroonoko 34-66 | |
| Week 3 | T 9/10 | Behn, Oroonoko through end |
| R 9/12 | Shelley, Frankenstein through vol. I, ch. V | |
| Week 4 | T 9/17 | Shelley, Frankenstein through vol. III, ch. V |
| R 9/19 | Peer workshop for short paper 1; bring 2 copies of your draft and 2 copies of peer workshop sheet | |
| Week 5 | T 9/24 |
Shelley, Frankenstein through end Short paper 1 due |
| R 9/26 | Brontë, Jane Eyre through vol. I, ch. VIII | |
| Week 6 | T 10/1 | Brontë, Jane Eyre through vol. II, ch. VI |
| R 10/3 | Brontë, Jane Eyre through vol. III, ch. I | |
| Week 7 | T 10/8 | Brontë, Jane Eyre through end |
| R 10/10 | Conrad, Heart of Darkness ch. I | |
| Week 8 | T 10/15 | Conrad, Heart of Darkness through end |
| R 10/17 | Peer workshop for short paper 2; bring 2 copies of your draft and 2 copies of peer workshop sheet | |
| Week 9 | T 10/22 |
Introduction to library research Short paper 2 due |
| R 10/24 | MLA Handbook chs. 2, 5, & 6 | |
| Week 10 | T 10/29 |
Jen Cadwallader, "'Formed
for Labour, Not for Love': Plain Jane and the Limits of Female
Beauty" ---note that part of the assignment is finding this article on your own Workshop: how to write an annotation for a scholarly article. Bring an article on your topic. |
| R 10/31 | Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, “Pacific Journal” | |
| Week 11 | T 11/5 | Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, “Letters” and “Half-Lives” |
| R 11/7 |
Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, “The Ghastly Ordeal” Proposal and annotated bibliography due |
|
| Week 12 | T 11/12 | Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, “An Orison” |
| R 11/14 | Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, “Sloosha’s Crossing” | |
| Week 13 | T 11/19 | Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, “An Orison” and “Ghastly Ordeal” |
| R 11/21 | Peer workshop for research paper; bring 2 copies of your draft and 2 copies of peer workshop sheet | |
| Week 14 | T 11/26 | Mitchell, Cloud Atlas through end |
| R 11/28 | Thanksgiving holiday; no class | |
| Week 15 | T 12/3 | Research paper due |