Spring 2018 - ENGL 115W D100

Literature and Culture (3)

Class Number: 1400

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 16, 2018
    Mon, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Susan Brook
    sbrook@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-3064
    Office: AQ 6114
    Office Hours: Mon and Weds, 12.30-1.30

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An Introduction to the study of literature within the wider cultural field, with a focus on contemporary issues across genres and media. Students with credit for ENGL 105W may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Violence, Conflict, and Creation

This course looks at different forms of conflict and violence in a selection of contemporary fiction.  Our novels and short stories explore the consequences and causes of physical violence, emotional violence, and political violence, with examples from Iran, South Africa, Canada, and the U.S.  We will also consider the idea of aesthetic violence—the use of disruptive or innovative formal strategies, including the use of images and photos.  We will examine the ways in which novels and short stories creatively employ such “violence” to scrutinize, challenge, or respond to other forms of violence.  In addition to the texts below, short stories by Alice Munro will be distributed electronically.

  • Please note that some of the texts engage with subject matter you may find disturbing.

Grading

  • Tutorial attendance 10%
  • Reading journal 15%
  • Short essay (3 pages) with revision 25%
  • Essay (5 pages) with revision 25%
  • Final examination 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

  • Marjane Satrapi, The Complete Persepolis. Pantheon, 2004.

ISBN: 9780375714832

  • Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club.  Norton, 1996

ISBN: 9780393327342

  • J. M. Coetzee, Disgrace.  NACS, 2000.

ISBN: 9780140296402

Mohsin Hamid, The Reluctant Fundamentalist. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008.
ISBN: 9780156034029

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS