1 Raritan Valley Community College Outline for Course: English 281 ...

1I. BASIC COURSE INFORMATION:Raritan Valley Community CollegeOutline for Course: English 281Modern NovelA. Course Number and Title: ENGL 281, Modern NovelB. Date of Revision: September 2005C. Sponsoring Department: EnglishD. Semester Credit Hours: 3E. Weekly Contact Hours: 3 Lecture: 3Laboratory: 0F. Prerequisites: English IG. Laboratory Fees: NoneII. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:Prerequisite: English I. The course traces the evolution of the novel fromthe late nineteenth century to the present, focusing on its response tomodernity, especially in terms of changing social conditions caused bymodern technology and new notions of the mind, time, and language.Writers such as Joseph Conrad, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, WilliamFaulkner, and Toni Morrison may be featured. Students analyze and writeabout the works and explore the basic components of the genre.III. STATEMENT OF COURSE NEED:Modern Novel is a course that provides students with an opportunity tostudy an important literary genre. It is typically taught in college Englishdepartments and meets the requirements of the College's generaleducation goals as well as the English Department's Associate of Arts inEnglish degree plan. The course will transfer to four-year programs as anEnglish elective or a free elective. Modern Novel provides an importantfoundation for students who choose to major in English, Film Studies, orother areas of the Liberal Arts or Humanities.IV. PLACE OF COURSE IN THE COLLEGE CURRICULUM:• Free elective• The course meets a requirement in the following program: EnglishCourse Transferability: Modern Novel is transferable as an Englishelective or a free elective.V. OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT:Sample Course Outline:

2A. Introduction to the Novel as a GenreB. Precursors to the Modern NovelC. The Modern “Break”D. The Modern Novel as a Reaction against RealismE. Technical Experimentation in the Modern Novel: Characterization,Structure, Figurative Language, and Narrative Point of ViewF. Multiculturalism in the Modern NovelG Fabulation and Metafiction in the Modern NovelH. The Post-Modern NovelVI. Educational Goals and Learning OutcomesI. EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND LEARNING OUTCOMESA. GENERAL EDUCATION GOALSStudents will1. employ correct literary terminology in discussions and in writtenwork (G.E. 1, G.E. 2, G.E. 4);2. interpret texts for discussion and written work (G.E. 1, G.E. 2);3. defend interpretations of texts using appropriate rhetoricalapproaches (G. E. 1, G.E. 2)4. use textual evidence to support claims (G.E. 1, G.E. 2, G.E. 3);5. distinguish among and between the ideas of diverse writers (G.E. 1,G.E. 2, G.E. 4, G.E. 6);6. contrast various approaches to the Modern novel as a genre (G.E. 1,G.E. 2, G.E. 4, G.E. 6);7. explain individual interpretations of the Modern novel indiscussion and writing (G.E. 2, G.E. 2);8. analyze intricate components of the Modern Novel for essay writing(G.E. 1, G.E. 2);9. employ various approaches to the genre by applying variousparadigms of literary theory (G.E. 1);10. report on their analyses of texts in discussion and in written work(G.E. 1, G.E. 2);11. identify the ethical implications of various texts (G.E. 1, G.E. 2, G.E.5, G.E. 6).

3B. LEARNING OUTCOMESStudents will be able to1. explain the components of the Modern Novel as a literary genre;2. apply theoretical strategies to the analysis of texts;3. synthesize primary and secondary texts in discussion and writtenwork;4. apply rhetorical and theoretical strategies to written work;5. challenge traditional world views by applying diverse theoreticalparadigms;6. appraise cultural values through an examination of texts;7. locate critical texts through responsible research and retrieval ofinformation;8. analyze texts as a basis for original thinking and writing.VII. MODES OF TEACHING AND LEARNINGFormats, modes, and methods for teaching and learning may be:• lecture/discussion• small group work• guest speakers• student oral presentations• student collaboration• independent study• examination of films• otherVIII. PAPERS, EXAMINATIONS, AND OTHER ASSESSMENTINSTRUMENTSAssessment methods may be:• research papers• demonstrations• essays• journals• exams• otherIX. GRADE DETERMINANTSPossible grade determinants are:• Formal Take Home essays• In-class essays• Class participation and preparation• Discussion questions

4• Exams and quizzes• Research projects and/or collaborative project• Oral presentationsX. TEXTS AND MATERIALS• Textbooks• Primary sources• Secondary sources• Web sources• Film and video• Audio sourcesSamples of specific texts:Joseph Conrad. Heart of DarknessVirginia Woolf. Mrs. DallowayWilliam Faulkner. The Sound and the FuryGabriel Garcia marquez. Love in the Time of CholeraMilan Kundera. The Unbearable Lightness of BeingYukio Mishima. The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the SeaToni Morrison. Song of SolomonLouise Erdrich. Love MedicineMichael Cunningham. The HoursSamples of specific films:Mrs. DallowayThe HoursApocalypse Nowor any individual plays, recordings of films of plays, or anthologies of playsas chosen by the individual instructorXI. RESOURCESStudents will need to use library databases and other library resources forcritical research assignments. Other resources that may be used includeDVDs, CD-ROMs, PowerPoint, and other technological devices.