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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 205"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to the Novel"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Klausner Lewis Samuel
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 16:30-17:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
To be announced
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course traces the development of the novel from the eighteenth century to the present day.We will read representative novels as well as literary criticism that deals with theories of the novel or analyzes and interprets specific works . We will read about the historical background in which the novel developed, and about the techniques writers use to construct novels.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Beginning with Defoe’s story of a marooned sailor, Robinson Crusoe, we consider how the novel first develops from adventure stories, and how it is perceived as a genre. From there, in stark contrast to Crusoe’s sea adventure, we read a novel set in a domestic, female sphere; Elizabeth’s Gaskell’s Cranford where rules of social behavior ,rather than physical survival in the wild, come to the fore. In James Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man we look at theKunstlerroman, the story of the growing up and education of the artist; it is a novel that contemplates the making of the writer who can tell his own story not as a memoir, but as a novel. Toni Morrison’s Beloved will give us opportunity to talk about how the novel not only represents people usually excluded from political and literary expression, but how it enables us to hear them in their own voices, to understand their lives by hearing them in the kind of language in which their experience is rooted. The last one or two novels (depending on length) have yet to be decided. We might finish by reading contemporary novels and thinking about about the state of the novel today. Or we might look at novels that challenge our notions of how novels ought to be written, such as Nabokov’s Pale Fire or Henry Green’s Party Going. We might revisit the sea survival tale in a book like Life of Pi, or we might look at a novels written in English in places like India, novelists like Jhumpa Lahiri, Amitav Ghosh, or Rohinton Mistry who show us how the novel has been adapted to non-Western cultures. Of contemporary younger writers we might consider Colson Whitehead, Jeanette Winterson, Edward Jones, Philip Roth, David Foster Wallace, Kazuo Ishiguro, Peter Carey, Ian McEwan, Jonathan Safran Foer, David Mitchell, or Zadie Smith. Yes, this list is here just to make you think of all the novelists we can’t possibly fit into this course.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will understand the novel as a form that develops over times in response to historical contexts and literary pressures (i.e., novels responding to other novel as well as to economics, science and technology, politics, and social conditions). Students will learn how to read analytically, critically, and interpretively. Not only how to read, they will also learn how to write and speak about novels so that they can contribute to others’ richer appreciation of novels.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| The Human Stain | Philip Roth | Vintage | 0099282194 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Paper 1 | Precise instructions for all the assignments in this course will be handed out in class and posted on the web site. | 15 |
| Paper 2 | | 20 |
| Midterm Exam // in class with a take home component | | 20 |
| Paper 3 | | 15 |
| In-class final exam with take-home component | | 30 |
-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 extensiveknowledge 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 andreference 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:
Three absences are automatically allowed. After 3 there may be a lowering of the grade if the absences are not excused by the Dean's office. You cannot pass the course with more than 5 absences excused or unexcused.
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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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Week 1
Robinson Crusoe. (or another 18th century novel)
Week 2
Robinson Crusoe
Week 3
Cranford (or another 19th century novel)
Week 4
Cranford
Week 5
A modernist or early 20th century novel -- possibly by Conrad or Foster
Week 6
Beloved (or another 20th century novel)
Week 7
Beloved
Week 8
Spring Break
Week 9
Twentieth century novel continued
Week 10
The Human Stain
Week 11
The Human Stain
Week 12
The Human Stain
Week 13
The White Tiger
Week 14
The White Tiger
Final Exam |
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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
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