Summer 2018 - ENGL 207 D100
Twentieth Century Literatures in English (3)
Class Number: 5509
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Aug 8, 2018
Wed, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Nikhil Jayadevan
njayadev@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
Two 100 division English courses.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
The study of twentieth century North American, British, and/or Post-colonial literatures. Breadth-Humanities.
COURSE DETAILS:
"Who is prepared to take arms against a sea of amusements? To whom do we complain, and when, and in what tone of voice, when serious discourse dissolves into giggles? What is the antidote to a culture's being drained by laughter?" - Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death (1985)
This course offers a broad survey of a twentieth century literature. In particular, we will focus on humorous writing and how it offers a critical eye on some of the most significant concerns, formal innovations, and intellectual traditions of the past century. While we may think of literature as "serious" culture, some of the most admired works of twentieth century literature have been, in whole or in part, works of humour. However, it would be a mistake to say that the primary purpose of these works was to amuse us. We will read humorous fiction that represents and comments upon what it means to live through some of the twentieth century's most serious issues and events: World War II, civil and workers’ rights struggles, decolonization, globalization, identity formation, the rise of advertising, broadcasting and the technologies that immerse us in what Postman alleges is our “sea of amusements.”
To get a good taste for the range of humorous writings in twentieth century literature, we will read two short novels, a play, and numerous short stories from a number of genres, from Franz Kafka to Angela Carter to Salman Rushdie. The course will introduce you to some key terms in the study of 20th century literature such as modernism and postmodernism, and important concepts in the study of humour such as ironic engagement and disengagement, the absurd, and satire.
Grading
- Humour Diary (3-4 pages) 10%
- Tutorial Participation (Attendance, Discussion, Group Project) 15%
- First Essay (3-4 pages) 20%
- Second Essay (5-6 pages) 30%
- Exam 25%
NOTES:
note: all assignments must be completed in order to pass the class.
REQUIREMENTS:
The required novels and play will be available at the SFU Bookstore. The following short fiction will be available on the course’s Canvas website.
“The Cask of Amontillado” - Edgar Allan Poe
“The Interlopers” | “The Unrest-Cure” | “The Open Window” - Saki
“Metamorphosis” | “A Report to an Academy” - Franz Kafka
“The Waltz” – Dorothy Parker
“A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” - Gabriel García Márquez
“The Tiger's Bride” - Angela Carter
From The Cyberiad - Stanislaw Lem
“The Remarkable Rocket” - Oscar Wilde
“CivilWarLand in Bad Decline” - George Saunders
“Joe the Painter and the Deer Island Massacre” - Thomas King
“GWTW” - Hilton Als
“At the Auction of the Ruby Slippers” - Salman Rushdie
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
ISBN: 0571243738
ISBN: 006091307X
ISBN: 0307477479
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