Lit 211: Studies in Literature
Fall 2016
Course Description
This is an introduction to the language we use when we talk about short fiction, poetry and the drama. As we study how stories, poems and a play are constructed, we will pay equal attention to how this construction is connected to meaning.
This will be a combined lecture and discussion course, meaning your participation is not only welcomed, it is required. In order to participate actively you will have to read and prepare for each class. In order to encourage you not to miss class I am requiring that you attend 75% of the classes in order to take the final exam.
I will be giving short announced reading response questions from time to time and unannounced quizzes if I feel not enough of you are prepared for class. Hopefully there will be no quizzes.
Your final grade will be based on the following:
Attendance and Class participation 15 %
Reading Responses and quizzes 15 %
Midterm 35 %
Final Exam 35 %
Syllabus
Week 1: Intro to Narrative Analysis
Intro to Poetic Analysis
Week 2: Narrative Voice
* Edgar Allen Poe, “The Tell-Tale Heart”
* Poe, “The Raven”
Week 3: Plot and Theme: Fiction
* Joyce Carol Oates, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”
Week 4: Theme: Poetry
* Dylan Thomas, “Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night”
* Emily Dickinson, 185 “Faith is a fine invention,” 258 “There’s a certain slant of light,”
435 “Much madness is divinest Sense,” 709 “Publication--is the Auction,” 754 “My
Life had stood—a Loaded Gun,”
Week 5: Setting
* Nikolay Vasilyeviç Gogol, “The Nose”
* Yusuf Komunyakaa, “Thanks”
Week 6: Character and Point of View: Fiction
* Sherman Alexie, “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven”
Midterm
Week 7:Allegory and Symbol; Metaphor
* Ursula Le Guin, “Those Who Walk Away from Omelas”
* Shakespeare, Sonnet 18 “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day”, Sonnet 130 “My
mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun”
Week 8: Tone and Style: Fiction
* James Baldwin, “Sonny’s Blues”
Week 9: Tone and Style: Poetry
* Indigo Moor, “Tap-Root” (Blues)
* Michael Harper, “Dear John, Dear Coltrane,” “”Bird Live”: Charles Parker in St.
Louis” (Jazz)
Week 10: Irony: Poetry
* Theodore Roethke, “My Papa’s Waltz”
* Elizabeth Bishop, “The Art of Losing”
Week 11: Drama
* Christopher Marlow, Dr. Faustus
Week 12 Marlow continued
Week 13: Marlow cont. and Catch-up