Novel Experience & Expression

Syllabus: Download PDF

AML 2410-8974: Issues in American Literature & Culture

Novel Experience & Expression

Fall 2009
MWF Period 7 Room: Turlington 2346

Instructor: Gary Hink, English Department. (T.A.)
Office: TUR 4411 MWF Per. 6 (and after class, by appointment)

Overview
This course examines American novels with a specific focus on the connection between initial or unique experience(s) and innovative forms of expression—-in other words, “novel” in both cases. This perspective guides two related approaches and goals.
On the one hand, we will investigate “new and unusual” ordeals for individuals during events and situations of 20th-century American history: urban migration, consumer culture, “the Roaring Twenties” (Gatsby, Jazz); mental illness, drug use, paranoia, “the Sixties” (The Bell Jar, Naked Lunch, Crying of Lot 49); alcoholism; “post-war” condition(s), before the diagnosis of “PTSD” (Slaughterhouse Five, Ceremony); family, grief/mourning, “the past” as narrative (most texts, especially City of Glass and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close).
Distinct from historical discourse of “the past,” we will examine the literary expression of experience, specifically the prevalent form of non-linear narrative. From this inquiry, we will also consider the “event” of literature in terms experiencing both reading and writing, for first-hand insights of “novel experience.”

Within these parameters, this course satisfies UF’s General Education requirement for the Humanities content area, as detailed in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Required Texts

        All texts available at Goerings Book Store (1717 NW First Ave.)

Abbott, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. 2nd Edition (2008)

Auster, Paul. City of Glass (1987). Penguin (1987)

Burroughs, William S. Naked Lunch (1959). Grove Press (2004 or 1992)

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby (1925). Penguin (2003 or 2007)

Foer, Jonathan Safran. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2005). Mariner (2006)

Morrison, Toni. Jazz (1992). Vintage (2002)

Plath, Sylvia. The Bell Jar (1966). Harper (2006 or 2000)

Pynchon, Thomas. The Crying of Lot 49 (1966). Harper (2006 or 1999)

Silko, Leslie Marmon. Ceremony (1977). Penguin (2006 or 1986)

Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse Five (1969). Dial (1999 or 1991)

Recommended Text:

Gardner, Janet. Writing About Literature 2nd Edition. Bedford (2009)

Assignments and Grade Distribution

6 Reading Responses (500-600 words each) 40%

Analytic Essay (1600-1800 words) 20%

Final Project (2000 words) 20%

Attendance and Participation 20%
                        – including Blog Entries (weekly)
                        – including discussion intro. (two days / term)

 

Attendance and Participation

Attending class is vital to one’s success in this course, as we will frequently discuss and practice our critical approach to writing about literature; lectures will be markedly relevant to assignments. Class discussion will occupy most sessions, though – thus, daily participation is both expected and recorded for the “Attendance and Participation” percentage of the final grade. Hint: Participation illustrates having read for that day; this precludes my giving pop “reading check” quizzes, to which I will resort if necessary.

Twice throughout the semester (starting W 09-Sept), each student will be responsible for introducing the day’s assigned reading and/or starting group discussion: e.g. directing initial focus; posing question for class to take up. This is not a presentation, (though preparation is expected); adequate introduction will be recorded for particular day’s participation.

Finally, please make every effort to arrive on-time so that we can begin immediately. Arriving late receives ¼ participation penalty –- three times late will equate to an absence. Overall, every absence after the third will reduce the final grade by a letter; students will not pass the course after their sixth absence.
Please do not assume any absences are “excused” — only those for medical reasons (e.g. Dr’s appt.) or university obligation will be excused, with documentation. I strongly suggest contacting me about absences (email day of, if not before).