ENGL 2855 - Special Topics in Literature Credit Hours: 3.00 Prerequisites: ENGL 1190 or ENGL 1220
This course is an in-depth examination of a narrowed topic in literature, focused on a specific time period, author, literary movement, or genre. Topics that may be covered include African-American literature, autobiography, detective fiction, the graphic novel, horror, humor, science fiction, the western, women’s studies.
Contact Hours: 3
OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES Outcome 1: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to apply major literary concepts to written analyses of primary texts.
Objectives:
- Support their own identification of significant themes, characterization, setting, symbolism, etc. of primary texts of the special topic.
- Identify significant genres, themes, and literary devices in primary texts of the special topic.
- Identify and analyze the significance of literary devices in primary texts of the special topic.
Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to develop an individual interpretation of the writer’s conception of the world and the system of values that accompanies it.
Objectives:
- Recognize and discuss the writer’s use of the special topic’s common themes
- Evaluate the place of historical forces or events in the writer’s work.
- Analyze the writer’s role in literary movements or the writer’s place in the historical development of the special topic.
- Discuss the socio-economic background presented in the world of the writer’s work.
- Compare international and multi-cultural aspects of the various worlds presented in the works being studied if relevant.
Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to evaluate primary texts as aesthetic creations through the oral and/or written application of appropriate criteria.
Objectives:
- Argue for appropriate criteria for making an aesthetic judgment of literary texts
- Apply criteria that are most relevant to the specific literary text.
- Express an aesthetic response to the literary texts through the application of relevant criteria.
Outcome 4: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to conduct research on an aspect of the literature of the special topic and write a paper (MLA style) based on that research.
Objectives:
- Employ appropriate sources.
- Analyze an aspect of the literature of the special topic.
- Synthesize the results of research and analysis of the literature of the special topic.
- Cite, parenthetically and on the works cited page, the sources used (MLA Style).
COMMON DEGREE OUTCOMES (Bulleted outcomes apply to the course)
- The graduate can integrate the knowledge and technological skills necessary to be a successful learner.
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- 2. The graduate can demonstrate how to think competently.
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- The graduate can demonstrate how to employ mathematical knowledge.
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- 4. The graduate can demonstrate how to communicate competently.
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- The graduate is sensitive to issues relating to a diverse, global society.
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COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE The design of the course should include the following elements but may add to these:
- Works
- A number of literary works that operate within the confines of the special topic
- Works chosen for variety of cultures and time periods if appropriate
- Elements of Literature
- Structural elements such as plot, setting, and characterization
- Stylistic elements such as tone, diction, and word choice
- Evaluative elements such as theme and aesthetic criteria
- Cultural Aspects
- Contexts for literary works under study (such as historical and philosophical influences)
- Influence of literary works on contemporary and/or current culture and vice versa
- Writing Skills
- Methods for writing analysis
- Review as needed for finding, evaluating, using, and documenting secondary sources according to MLA documentation.
Primary Faculty Young, James Secondary Faculty McGee, Nancy Associate Dean Williams-Chehmani, Angie Dean Pritchett, Marie
Official Course Syllabus - Macomb Community College, 14500 E 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088
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