Course

Reading Literature and Culture

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
English
Course code
ENGL 1102
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Hybrid
Online
Lecture
Seminar
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall
Summer
Winter

Overview

Course description
In this course students will read, discuss and write about at least one major theme in literature and culture, such as crime and punishment, gender roles, immigrant experiences, or paradise lost. Texts studied will be drawn from at least two literary genres.
Course content

All first-year English literature courses share the following features:  

  1. Students are instructed in the writing of analytical essays on literary subjects.
  2. Students are taught to recognize and understand a variety of literary devices and textual elements, such as metaphor, symbolism, distinctions between author and narrator/narrating persona, and issues of language and of structure, as appropriate to the genres and texts studied.
  3. Readings and topics vary among sections of the same course, according to each instructor’s selection; however, all course materials are consistent with the objectives/outcomes for this course.

In English 1102, students will examine thematically linked texts in at least two literary genres.

The majority of class-time will be spent in discussing and analyzing course materials.  Where film or works in other media are to be examined, students may be required to view some of these works outside of class time.

Learning activities

Some or all of the following methods will be used:

  1. Lecture/discussion
  2. Group work
  3. Peer review
  4. Instructor feedback on students’ work
  5. Individual consultation
Means of assessment

The course evaluation is consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation must be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.

  1. A minimum of two formal academic essays, with a combined value of at least 40% of the course grade.
  2. A minimum of 80% of the course grade will be based on writing assignments such as essays, essay-based exams, journals or paragraphs. A maximum of 20% of the course grade may be based on informal writing such as quizzes or short answer tests, and/or non writing-intensive assignments such as oral reports, presentations, participation or preparation.
Learning outcomes

Upon completion of any first-year English literature course, the successful student should be able to 

  1. read analytically and reflectively, with attention to the subtleties of language;
  2. recognize and understand literary devices;
  3. practice writing as a process involving pre-writing, drafting, revising and editing;
  4. write an essay of literary analysis that develops an argumentative thesis supported by appropriate, correctly integrated and cited evidence; and
  5. give and receive constructive criticism about written work.

Upon completion of English 1102, the successful student should also be able to

  1. recognize and understand the element of theme in literature;
  2. understand and analyze the relationship of theme to other literary elements, such as plot, character, setting, figurative language and irony; and
  3. recognize and appreciate connections between the theme(s) studied in the course and social issues.
Textbook materials

A list of required textbooks and materials will be provided for students at the beginning of the semester.

Sample Reading Lists

A. Theme: Versions of Marriage                 

  • Chaucer, “Prologue to ‘The Wife of Bath’s Tale’”          
  • Ibsen, A Doll's House                                               
  • Ross, As for Me and My House                                          
  • Rule, Desert of the Heart                                                                                    
  • Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing                         
  • Shields/Howard, A Celibate Season                              

B. Theme: Globalising: Identity as Diversity                                                                        

  • Damrosch et al., The Longman Anthology or World Literature (Compact Edition)
  • Lindberg, Birdie
  • Murata, Convenience Store Woman
  • Shamsie, Home Fire
  • Tan, The Arrival

C. Theme: The Limits of Humanity

Course reader including science fiction, fantasy, and horror short stories such as:

  • Butler, "Blood Child"
  • Chiang, "Story of Your Life"
  • Heinlein, "'– All You Zombies –'"
  • Liu, "The Paper Menagerie"
  • Roanhorse, "Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience"
  • Tuttle, "Wives"

Novel:

  • VanderMeer, Annihilation

Film and Television:

  • Brooker, "San Junipero" (Black Mirror episode)
  • Garland, Ex Machina
  • Peele, Get Out