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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 315 A"
COURSE NAME: "Selected Topics in American Literature: The Novel after 1945"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Lewis Samuel Klausner
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above.
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course explores in some depth a particular period, theme(s), or genre in American Literature. Students study the major historical and cultural contexts out of which the works grew. An important aim of the course is to deepen students' knowledge of a certain topic through a choice of representative writers and works.
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.
This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 300-level literature classes are required to produce 5-6,000 words of critical writing.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
In "The American Novel Since 1945" students will study a wide range of works from 1945 to the present. The course traces the formal and thematic developments of the novel in this period, focusing on the relationship between writers and readers, the conditions of publishing, innovations in the novel's form, fiction's engagement with history, and the changing place of literature in American culture. The reading list will includes works by writers such as Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Vladimir Nabokov, Thomas Pynchon, , Marilynne Robinson, and Philip Roth. This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 300-level literature classes are required to produce 5-6,000 words of critical writing.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
In "The American Novel Since 1945" students will study a wide range of works from 1945 to the present. The course traces the formal and thematic developments of the novel in this period, focusing on the relationship between writers and readers, the conditions of publishing, innovations in the novel's form, fiction's engagement with history, and the changing place of literature in American culture. The reading list includes works by writers such as Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Vladimir Nabokov, Thomas Pynchon, Marilynne Robinson, and Philip Roth.This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 300-level literature classes are required to produce 5-6,000 words of critical writing.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Paper 1 | | 20 |
| paper 2 | | 20 |
| Midterm Exam | | 20 |
| paper 3 | | 20 |
| final exam | | 20 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
This course explores in some depth a particular period, theme(s), or genre in American Literature. Students study the major historical and cultural contexts out of which the works grew. An important aim of the course is to deepen students' knowledge of a certain topic through a choice of representative writers and works.
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.
This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 300-level literature classes are required to produce 5-6,000 words of critical writing.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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This is a tentative schedule. Do not buy books until the schedule is finalized:
Week 1
Richard Wright, American Hunger (Black Boy)
Week 2
Richard Wright
Week 3
Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita
Week 4
Nabokov
First paper due
Week 5
Nabokov
Marilynne Robinson, Housekeeping
Week 6
Marilynne Robinson, Midterm
Week 7
Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49
Week 8
Pynchon
Week 9
Second Paper Due
Flanney O'Connor, Wise Blood
Week 10.
O'Connor
Week 11
Philip Roth, The Human Stain
Week 12
The Human Stain
Week 13
Third Paper Due
Maxine Hong Kingston, Woman Warrior
Week 14
Kingston
Final Exam
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