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

Online: Wed 6:15PM - 9:15PM

Overview of class

This course introduces students to literature through a variety of authors, time periods, and critical approaches. You will engage in close reading and analysis of works of fiction and poetry, exploring the many ways writers use language to convey meaning and pleasure. You will gain understanding of and familiarity with characteristics of major genres, will learn to analyze literary texts, and will present thoughtful and developed ideas in writing. Schedule note: this course will meet remotely, with weekly remote synchronous sessions held on the scheduled day.

Registration Requirements

Prerequisite: ENGLISH 111 Writing Seminar I or ENGLISH 205 Intermediate Composition, or equivalent writing skills highly recommended.

Learning Objectives

Student Goals:

Students become close, dynamic readers of literature with the ability to recognize and define characteristics of fiction and poetry. 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.

Learning Objectives:

Proficiency in close and careful reading of assigned literary works, exemplified through the use of specific textual passages or lines to support or illuminate your ideas and thoughts
Familiarity with the literary terms (plot, character, speaker, theme, context, imagery, etc.) used to define the various elements that make up a story or poem; application of terms when appropriate in discussion and writing.
Solid understanding of how those various elements contribute to establish meaning.
Solid understanding of what constitutes a valid interpretation of literary text.
Ability to effectively write literary analysis.

Teaching Method

Course content is delivered via readings, lecture, class discussion, peer group work, and occasional in-class writing. Close reading of assigned poems, stories and book will be a staple of every class. Assignments will include discussion questions, response papers, and short essays, as well as your own creative work.

Class Materials (Required)

Required Texts:

Canvas Files: Assigned readings on class schedule are in Canvas Files. Different folders are identified according to subject and due dates.

Novel: Flight by Sherman Alexie (please purchase on Amazon or other book site - you should be able to get a used copy)

Class Attributes

Synchronous:Class meets remotely at scheduled time