John Burns Summer
2005
Office and Telephone: TBA Harbour
Centre Day
Email: jeburns@straight.com
Prerequisites: 75
credit hours including CMNS 372.
Course Description: Over our 13 weeks, we'll attempt to
understand how readers and their books come together, and what keeps them
apart. Our discussions will cover a number of genres—literary fiction, popular
fiction, children's writing, bestselling nonfiction and fiction, niche nonfiction—as
well as a look at what we mean by the term "genre" to begin with.
We'll put reading and writing into a brief historical context, and look at the
yardsticks by which we can measure the success of a book, both within
publishing and as measured against other entertainment products such as DVDs,
CDs, and feature films.
Approach:
Each week, I expect
students to arrive on time, with readings finished and prepared to contribute.
Our course will include brief lectures, guest lectures, small-group work, much
full-class discussion, brief written assignments, a take-home written exam,
and—bearing the title of the course in mind—reading. Lots of
reading.
Texts: There are two required texts for 472.
They are
Evaluation: There are three written assignments, as
well as a take-home exam; the balance of the grade arises from class discussion
and participation.
1. Written assignments (3 x 10%; assignment sheets will provide
more information)
a. Harry Potter
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince publishes
b. Review
Review a book. Identify in that review the ideal reader for the book, using tone and format in the writing as appropriate. Compare the book to others as suitable, and assess any disjunct between author's intentions (as stated or inferred) and results. 750-1,000 words.
c. Bookstore analysis
Choose a recent
book that you can find in both a traditional and nontraditional store, as
discussed in class. Describe the marketing constellation that surrounds that
book, from publisher's material and reviews (journalistic and consumer) to its
store placement, etc. Describe the book's environment in both stores, paying
attention to the factors described in Underhill. Evaluate any material on the
book itself, and use nearby titles' similar material, and clerk and online
suggestions for comparison. 750-1,000 words.
NOTE: Assignments
will not be accepted late unless you arrange an extension with me, based on a
legitimate emergency. Extensions may result in a late
penalty, at my discretion; this will be discussed when you request an
extension.
2. Participation (30%)
This is your
course. To make the most of it, you must look through and synthesize the weekly
readings, and come prepared to discuss them in a variety of formats. Attendance
in the class is required. Showing up will not guarantee a full mark, but
staying away will certainly mean a zero!
3. Take-home exam (40%; assignment sheets will provide more
information)
I will provide a
number of essay-length questions based on the material covered in class and
readings. If none of them appeal, you may submit an alternative for approval.
Marks will reflect the breadth of your answer, the depth of your understanding,
and the power of your writing.
The School
expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable
relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels
and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy T10.02
with respect to “Intellectual Honesty,” and “Academic Discipline” (see the
current Calendar, General Regulations Section).