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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 308"
COURSE NAME: "20th-Century Novels"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Grego Alessandra
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 10:00-11:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above.
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The aim of this course is to offer an overview of how the form of the novel relates to the dramatic and unsettling changes that take place in the Twentieth century while developing new styles and attitudes. We will concentrate specifically on the way the novel engages with the tradition of utopia and dystopia. The novels we will be reading deal with the attempt of individuals to chronicle and come to terms with their feeling of alienation and loss of centre as they face the world changing events of the century.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Focusing on novels that can be read as modern versions of the litarary Utopia (the tradition that developed in Ancient Greece and continued through the Nineteenth century) and which deal more or less directly with a fundamental historical event of the 20th century or react to ideas and desires developed in reaction to contemporary events, we will notice how the form of the novel changes to adapt to a new understanding of the relationship between individuals and society. the texts we will be reading are Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” (published in 1932), George Orwell’s “1984” (published in 1948),Ernest Callenbach's "Ecotopia" (1975), Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” (published in 1985), and Donald Antrim's "Elect Mr Robinson for a New World" (1993).
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Through the critical reading of the fivenovels assigned, students will learn to evaluate the flexibility of the form of the novel and to critically analyse the changes it undergoes in the attempt to come to terms with contemporary issues. They will also interpret the relationship between artistic representation and factual analysis in assessing the unexpected and revealing ways with which the novels come to terms with the great historical events and social upheavals of the Twentieth century.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| 1984 | George Orwell | Penguin Classics, 2004 | 978-0141187761 | | | | | |
| Elect Mr Robinson for a Better World | Donald Antrim | Trade Paperback, June 2012 | 9780312662103 | | | | | |
| The Handmaid's Tale | Margaret Atwood | Vintage Classics, 2010 | 978-0099511663 | | | | | |
| Brave New World | Aldous Huxley | Vintage CVlasics 2007 | 978-0099518471 | | | | | |
| Ecotopia | Ernest Callenbach | Bantam, 1990 | 978-0553348477 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| class participation | Silent attendance does not count towards this grade: class participation entails having read the assignemnt for the day and being able to generate or contribute intelligently to class discussion. | 20% |
| Plot development quiz tests | A total of four quiz tests which will be taken in class at the beginning of the period devoted to each novel. The aim of these quiz tests is both to verify that students are keeping up with the reading assignment and to ensure that they are reading the novels critically- | 30% |
| 1 home paper | Home paper on the first two novels (2000 words). This is a comparative paper which should prove the critical ability of the student to analyse the way each novel is approaching the historical event at its centre and to compare them. | 25% |
| Research Paper | Research Paper in which the student will be asked to critically analyse the way in which the form of the novel has changed over the Twentith century, bringing as textual examples the novels read during the course, using external critical sources in an appropriate way. | 25% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.
A: Work 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.
B: This 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 and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D: This 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.
F: This 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:
Attendance is compulsory. Students must be in class before attendance is taken. Four late arrivals will be considered equivalent to an absence. All absences must be justified, more than 4 absences may result in a lowering of the final grade and more than 7 absences will result in a failing grade. An unexcused absence on the day of an inclass test or presentation will result in an F grade for that assignment. Silent attendance is not sufficient: students are expected to actively generate or participate in class discussion, to bring their textbooks to class, to turn off their computers and mobile phones and to remain within the class room for the duration of the period.
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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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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| week 1 (3-5 September) | Introduction to the course | start reading Brave New World | | |
| Week 2 (10-12 September) | The concept of Utopia and Dystopia. Literary antecedents, 20th century variations. | Brave new World | | |
| Weekk 3 (17-19 September) | Brave New World: Lenina and Marx, hierarchy and gender in a world of happy clones | Finish reading Brave New World | Wednesday 19 September In class test on Brave New World | |
| Week 4 (24-26 September) | George Orwell and 1984 - Dystopia and the fear of Totalitarianism. Reception of the novel and misinterpretation | start reading 1984 | | |
| Week 5 (1-3 October) | Individual, society and the future | 1984 | | |
| Week 6 (8-10 October) | 1984- conclusions | Start reading Ecotopia | 1st Home Paper due wednesday 10 October | |
| Week 7 (15-17 October) | Ernest Callenbach, Ecotopia: Vietname War, counter culture and the dream of a better place to be | Ecotopia | | |
| Week 8 (22-24 October) | Ecotopia and the green revolution | Finish Rading Ecotopia | Wednesday 24 October In class test on "Ecotopia" | |
| Week 9 (29-31 October) | Margaret Atwood: the Handmaid's Tale. Gender as the site of dystopia | start reading the Handmaid's Tale | | |
| Week 10 (5-7 November) | The Handmaid's Tale | The Handmaid's Tale | | |
| Week 11 (12-14 November) | | Finish reading The Handmaid's Tale | Wednesday 14 November In class test on "The Handmaid's Tale" | |
| Week 12 (19-21 November) | Donald Ambrit: the United States as the site of Dystopia | Start Reading Elect Mr Robinson for a Better World | | |
| Week 13 (26-18 November) | Elect Mr Robinson for a Better World | Elect Mr Robinson for a Better World | | |
| Week 14 (3-5 December) | Elect Mr Robinson for a Better World, final considerations | Finish Reading Elect Mr Robinsons for a Better World | Final Research Paper due on December 5 | |
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