Core 164: Literary Modes and Theme=
s
Master Syllabus
Catalog Description<=
/span>
An
examination of a particular literary mode (biography, comedy, epic, folklor=
e,
satire, tragedy, etc.) or theme (environmental literature, science fiction,
fairy tales, literature and work, etc.) that provides a unique perspective =
on
human experience and society. Emphasis is placed on developing c=
lose
reading and interpretation skills through the analysis of various literary =
and
cultural texts (poetry, fiction, drama, film, creative nonfiction, and essa=
ys).
Objectives
Following the success=
ful
completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Identify basic forms of literary language
(connotation, ambiguity, dramatic tension, irony, paradox, etc.)<=
/o:p>
- Analyze formal aspects of literary and/or f=
ilmic
narrative (plot, point of view, setting, character, dialogue, rhythm,
meter, alliteration, mise-en-scène,=
etc.)
- Explain relationships between form and cont=
ent
within a text
- Apply hermeneutic principles to the analysi=
s of a
text
- Discuss narrative techniques, thematic issu=
es,
and interpretative strategies pertinent to a particular literary mode =
or
genre =
- Develop an interpretation of a text that ad=
heres
to basic rules of analysis (i.e. makes interpretative claims; supports
claims with textual evidence and scholarly secondary sources; imagines=
and
rebuts counterarguments)
- Present—in spoken and written
forms—an interpretation of a text that adheres to the convention=
s of
standard written English
Goals
Following the success=
ful
completion of this course, students should be better able to:
- Understand and appreciate literary works in
personal, political, cultural, historical, and aesthetic contexts
- Recognize how literary texts (characterized=
by
irony, ambiguity, dramatic tension, and paradox) often convey a variet=
y of
meanings and provoke a variety of interpretations
- Grapple with matters of ambiguity and
uncertainty, particularly as they pertain to cultural texts
- Recognize the merits of reading and advanced
literacy skills
- Employ a range of formal and creative probl=
em-solving
skills (reason, logic, objectivity, analysis, imagination, empathy,
synthesis, intuition, etc.)
- Write and speak about literary works with
clarity, conviction, wit, style, and persuasiveness
- Recognize the centrality of interpretative
problems in everyday culture
Strategies
Instructors may use a=
ny
number of strategies to help students become more critical readers and
interpreters of literary and cultural texts (lectures, small and plenary gr=
oup
activities, quizzes, tests, presentations, recitations, short papers, and s=
o on). However, each section must include
writing assignments, including documented writing with secondary sources
obtained from the MLA Bibliography.