Introduction to Literature (113-CN-62)
Instructors
Lisa Stolley
Lisa Stolley has been teaching fiction and creative nonfiction courses at NU SPS for nearly a decade. In addition to teaching, she is a creative and professional writer. Her fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals, including Florida Review, Passages North, Other Voices, Washington Review, and others. She is a recipient of an Illinois Arts Council Award and a Pushcart Prize nominee. She earned an M.A. and Ph.D. from the Program for Writers at University of Illinois, Chicago.
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-440: Tues 6:15PM - 9:15PM
Overview of class
We will read fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and examine how these genres work through a variety of features such as voice, tone, image, setting, etc., to create the meaning and intent of the work. We will also look at the historical, cultural, and socio-political backdrop of the literature we cover - to understand how it functions as a kind of mirror, providing a unique and relevant interpretation of the world in which we live, as well as a glimpse into the interior landscape of human experience.
Registration Requirements
Prerequisite: ENGLISH 111 Writing Seminar I or ENGLISH 205 Intermediate Composition, or equivalent writing skills highly recommended
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives:
Develop your own claim about the meaning of a specific work(s) of literature, using well-supported reasons and evidence.
Recognize some of the elements of fiction and poetry that
Students become close, dynamic readers of literature with the ability to recognize Through the study and application of various approaches to analyzing literature, students gain the capacity to form their own interpretations and insights, which are effectively communicated in discussion and writing.
Evaluation Method
Written work (essays, Canvas Discussion submissions, response papers)
Student work will be assessed in the following areas 1) Valid, thoughtful, thorough, and focused interpretative analysis of assigned texts; 2) Use of textual evidence to support main idea of paper; every interpretative claim made about a poem, story, or book is supported with evidence from the text, using correctly cited (MLA style) direct quote, paraphrase or summary; 3) Use of resources on Canvas 4) Written work is proof read, follows guidelines on syllabus and is approximately of length requested.
Participation/Contribution: This is a discussion-based class; participation is encouraged.
Attendance/Assignments: Excessive absences and consistently late papers will be figured into overall class performance and final grade.
Class Materials (Required)
Materials may include the following. Confirm course texts and materials by contacting instructor or viewing course Canvas site or University bookstore website.
Kelly, Joseph, Ed. The Seagull Book of Poems
Toni Morrison. Beloved
Videos will be included as part of class texts (shown in class)
Additional readings and instructional material will be available on Canvas Files
OWL Purdue Online Writing Center (excellent resource for help with writing papers)