In this course, we will be introduced to a general ordering of literature that is comprehensive and thus represents a complete survey of English literature. We will go through the different phases of the story cycle, moving through gradations that include the subtle differences between romantic comedy and comic novel, tragic romance and romantic tragedy, and so on. By focusing on the characteristic texts of the different phases, we move through the realm of romance, moving toward tragic romance, before exploring the realm of tragic literature itself. From there, we move on to satire and irony before passing through the phase of comic irony and entering the realm of comedy itself.
Course Objectives.
Knowledge and understanding of
- the body of texts of modern literature (core texts)
- how to study contemporary literature through genre and convention
- theoretical description of genres and styles
- how meaning can be discussed in relation to genre
- how some theories seek to provide comprehensive information about literature in an effort to convey a sense of the meaning of literature as a as a whole
Skills and competencies in:
- poetics
- close reading
- interpretation
- working with primary and secondary material