First-Year Seminar (105-6-24)
Topic
Coming of Age, Coming to College
Instructors
Charles S Yarnoff
8474914965
555 Clark St., 243
Office Hours: By appointment
Meeting Info
555 Clark 230: Mon, Wed, Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
Coming-of-age novels and memoirs portray the journey from childhood to adulthood. In this course, we will focus on works of fiction and autobiography that pay special attention to the role that college plays in that journey. These works portray the formative childhood influences and conflicts that shape the protagonists. In the chapters on college, they dramatize the different ways that higher education helps the characters navigate the difficult and confusing task of taking control of their lives and coming to a deeper understanding of who they are and what they want from life. In each work, we also get to see the impact of their college experiences after the characters have graduated and entered the so-called "real world." The works explore such questions as: Does college change who you are or, rather, help you to understand who you are? How does it impact your relationships with your family? What factors contribute to success in college and beyond, and what is even meant by "success"? Through reflection on and discussion, you'll begin to answer those and other questions for yourself too. We will read a variety of books that include: Bread Givers, a novel about a Jewish girl struggling with poverty at the turn of the 20th century; A Particular Kind of Black Man, a novel about the child of Nigerian immigrants who faces discrimination not only from white people but from African Americans; Educated, a memoir about a girl who grows up in an isolated, rural community with almost no formal education; and other literary works. In each work, college is a turning point for the main character, helping them to mature and move forward in their lives with clearer self-understanding and sense of purpose. The readings will offer you the opportunity not only to enjoy and discuss some wonderful books but also to reflect on the path that has led you to Northwestern and the ways you hope you will continue to grow and mature while you're here.
Learning Objectives
Through reading, discussing, and writing about the works in this course, you will:
• develop your understanding of how the college experience can contribute to students' self-knowledge and to a fuller perception of the people and events that helped to shape them
• expand your thinking about your goals for yourself in and after college
• develop skills and knowledge that enable you to take advantage of the resources available at Northwestern
Because first-year seminars are designed to develop you as a reader and writer at the college level, you will also improve in your ability to:
• read closely and critically, considering multiple ways of interpreting literary works and supporting those interpretations with evidence from the text
• use writing to analyze, synthesize, and reflect on material from literature and your own experience
• develop effective strategies for planning, drafting, revising, and editing papers
• use and offer constructive feedback on writing
Class Materials (Required)
Tope Folarin, A Particular Kind of Black Man (978-1501171833)
Tara Westover, Educated (978-0525589983)
Anzia Yezierska, Bread Givers (978-0892552900)
All other readings will be available on Canvas.
Class Attributes
WCAS First-Year Seminar
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required