AJ15002American Literature 1960-Present

                         Spring 2015, Tue 14.10-15.40/15.50-17.20 room G22

                 instructor: Martina Horakova, office 3009, mhorakov@phil.muni.cz

                                 office hours: Wednesday 14-15.30


Course description:

This course attempts to capture the diversity of American writing since the 1960s, including a
variety of genres, literary generations, geographical regions and social and ethnic backgrounds.


Course objectives:

1.       To appreciate the diversity of themes, genres and writers in contemporary American
literature.

2.       To refine critical thinking and achieve a deeper understanding of how literature affects
us and how it may enrich our perception of the world.



Syllabus:

Week 1, Feb 17:

Introduction to course policies and assignments


Unit I: Identity Politics

Week 2, Feb 24

Guest talk: Rebekah Bloyd (Santa Clara University & Bard College, USA)

Native American Poetics:

Joy Harjo, poetry and memoir


Week 3, March 3

Fictional Ethno-autobiography:

Maxine Hong Kingston, The Woman Warrior

essay: Christopher Newfield and Avery F. Gordon,“Multiculturalism’s Unfinished Business”


Week 4, March 10

African American Cultural Heritage:

Alice Walker, “Everyday Use”

essay: Barbara T. Christian, “Introduction” to Everyday Use


Week 5, March 17

Growing Up Chicano/a:

Denise Chavez, “The Last of the Menu Girls,” and Rudolfo Anaya, from Bless Me, Ultima

essay: Antonia Castaňeda, “Language and Other Lethal Weapons”


Unit II: Varieties of Place and Self

Week 6, March 24

Middle-class Suburban Family:

John Updike, “Separating,”

John Cheever, “The Swimmer”

essay: Catherine Jurca, “Epilogue: Same as It Ever Was (More or Less)”


Week 7, March 31

Nature Writing:

Barbara Kingsolver, Annie Dillard, Linda Hogan, Scott Russell Sanders


Week 8, April7

Reading week, no class (read Guterson’s novel)


Week 9, April14

History and Place:

David Guterson, Snow Falling on Cedars


Unit III: Genres and Strategies

Week 10, April 21

Guest talk: Robert Švábenský

Post-Apocalyptic Novel:

Cormac McCarthy, The Road


Week 11, April 28

Guest Talk: Paulina Mirowska (University of Lodz, Poland)

American Postwar Drama:

Sam Shepard, True West


Week 12, May 5

Guest talk: Veronika Pituková

Hardboiled Fiction:

Robert B. Parker, The Godwulf  Manuscript


Week 13, May 12:

Essay topic proposals, consultations


Assessment:

class participation and discussions                       10%

5 response papers (out of nine classes)              40%

final essay                                                                         50%


Evaluation: points out of 10 (response papers)/100 (final papers); 60% pass/fail line; A 100-85, B
84-80, C-79-75, D 74-70, E 69-60, F 59-0.


Attendance:

Since this course consists of literary seminars in which students’ participation is crucial,
attendance is compulsory. Absences due to illness must be documented in the study department.


Assignment Guidelines:

Class participation and discussions:

Students are expected to come prepared, having read all assigned materials, including the secondary
readings. They should participate actively in both group and class discussions. The performance in
the class contributes to the final mark.


Response papers:

Objectives: to read primary texts critically and in detail: this activity facilitates a “focused”
reading, it makes students notice details, underline key passage, think about the structure and
composition of the text – simply “work with” the text rather than just “read” it; it also helps
students prepare for class discussions; the format helps students write effectively, analytically,
and to the point.

Form: a short (max. 1-2 double-spaced page) critical analysis of the primary readings; write two or
three coherent paragraphs about your response to the primary text(s): no research involved at this
stage, “only” your own ideas; choose an interesting aspect of the text (e.g. analysis of a
character development, function of a setting, a symbol, a particular narrative strategy, etc.) and
analyze this aspect; avoid plot summaries and descriptions, be analytical (always ask Why? What
does this or that show us?); in most classes, you will be given 2-3 discussion questions to choose
from.

Deadlines: students are to write 5 response papers (out of 9) throughout the course – it is their
responsibility to choose for which session they will write RPs; bring a hard copy to the class
BEFORE the text(s) are discussed in class; it is appreciated if you can print on both sides; no
late RPs will be accepted unless it is negotiated with the teacher.


Final essays:

Discussion questions will be made available during the semester, deadlines will be set in the IS.

Form: six full pages (excluding bibliography), evidence of research (min. three solid secondary
academic sources), textual evidence in the text (quotes, paraphrases, correct in-text references).


Note:

The format of ALL assignments in his course must follow the MLA documentation style (see MLA
Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7^th edition): double-spaced, proper heading, referencing
in the text and correct format of bibliography;

Plagiarism: Any attempt to plagiarize from whichever source and citing/paraphrasing unacknowledged
sources will result in failing the assignment and/or the course.