JCU Logo

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 310H"
COURSE NAME: "Selected Topics in World Literature: The Coming of Age Novel (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Alessandra Grego
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11.30AM 12:45AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above.
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an upper-level course designed to provide a thorough investigation of a limited number of texts or of a specific central unifying theme that can be chosen either from Western or non-Western literature. The course invites students to take a closer look both at the text or theme in question and at the world out of which the focal subject developed. Through the comparative analysis of literary texts from diverse cultures, students will come to see how cultural differences can influence such elements as narrative, structure, literary style, plot conventions, point of view, or the construction of character and voice. They will also be able to see how similar literary themes may be handled with different emphases by different cultures, or how cultural biases can result in different or even completely opposite moral conclusions.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The Novel of Development is inextricably linked to the rise of the middle-classes, as the novel generally considered to be the first example of this form, Goethe's Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, shows. The crucial word here is apprenticeship, because Goethe is not writing about a young man's professional training, but of his spiritual, or sentimental education (to quote another famous coming of age novel by Flaubert). The apprenticeship of these new characters is a training for life, which can take shape as traumatic disenchantment, abandoning of ideals, and more or less disappointed adjustment to the ordinariness of middle-class existence, or can become an impassioned declaration of war against the entrenched and purblind beliefs of the adults that preside over a soulless world. Certainly, in both cases, there is an inextricable connection between youth and the ability to change, to develop, which ends with the acquisition of maturity - not always a happy occurrence.
This course will analyze this conception of youth as it develops from the 18th century through the 21st, changing in relation to changing social conditions. In doing this, the course will observe the meta fictional quality of the Coming of Age Novel that refers frequently and explicitly to literature and art as a fundamental influence on the shaping of the character and a possible escape route from philistine single-mindedness.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will critically analyze and understand the influence of this fundamental theme in the Western novel- Accessory skills acquired or developed are the ability to write a competent paper of academic quality, to perform accurate close readings of a text, to learn how to contextualize a work of literature in its historical and cultural background.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Never Let Me GoKatzuo IshiguroVintage, 2006978-1400078776     
Invisible ManRalph Waldo EllisonVintage International, 2nd edition978-0679732761     
Portrait of the Artist as a Young ManJames JoyceOxford University Press978-0199536443     
Huckleberry FinnMark TwainPenguin Classics978-0143107323     
Northanger AbbeyJane AustenPenguin Classics978-0141439792     
Candide, or OptimismVoltairePenguin Classics978-0140455106     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
study questionsFor each novel assigned 30%
Mid-term paper 15%
Research paper 20%
Presentation 15%
Take home paper 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 cour
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:
Attendance is mandatory. More than 4 unexplained absences will result in a lowering of the grade.
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.
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.

SCHEDULE

A detailed schedule will be posted at the beginning of the term