I. Course Description GNS 165: Introduction to English Literature 3 Credit Hours Instructor: Cheryl Hughes Winter Mini-Semester, 2013 This course is an introduction to English literature at a University level, and will include basic writing and research skills. Knowledge of English literature will allow the student to apply biblical knowledge to literature which is written in both Christian and non-christian tradition, and develop insight into the ways in which creative writers have explored and explained their work. II. Learning Outcomes A. Primary Student Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Read secular and spiritual literature with an understanding of form and content. 2. Understand that there are many interpretations of literature and how to validate an interpretation. 3. Apply knowledge of literature to everyday discussions, as a background to man s universal experience. B. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Cognitive (knowledge) formulate new thoughts, ideas, arguments, and comparisons and apply them to classical literature as well as evaluate secular and non -secular literature. prove thesis in literature. 2. Affective (values) appreciate good literature as art and therefore as a gift from God. 3. Concatenate (skills/application) document and research a topic correctly. edit and revise written work. 1
III. Relationship to Eston College s Mission Statement, Student Learning Introduction to English Literature will enable students to meet the goals of Eston College in integrating writing and reading skills into other classes, which are preparing students to meet the objectives of the program they are in. IV. Integrative Nature Introduction to English Literature integrates the knowledge of grammar, reading and writing skills into other disciplines and ministry formation. V. Course Evaluation A. Assignments The final grade for this course will be based on the following: 1. Essay #1 You will write a 900-1200 word essay (3-4 pages) on a topic indicated by your instructor. You will formulate a thesis and include an outline, title page, and works cited. 2. Essay #2 You will write a 1150-1450 word essay (3.5-4.5 pages) on a topic indicated by your instructor. You will formulate a thesis and include an outline, title page, and works cited. 3. Final Exam There will be a final exam covering all the course material at the end of the course. You will be asked to write an in class essay as a part of this final. B. Grading and Time Investment: Marks Time In Class Time (discussion contributions) 10 36 hr. Essay #1 20 9 hr. Essay #2 30 10 hr. Final Exam 40 4 hr. Readings 36 hr. 100 95 hr. VI. Class Attendance & Participation Students are expected to attend class, read all required texts, participate in class discussions and complete all assignments to pass this class. Absence from even one class will impact the student s ability to complete required assignments. Classroom activities will either cover material not included in the required readings or will serve to clarify or evaluate the required readings from a Christian perspective. VII. Return of Assignments The faculty of Eston College value quality education. To facilitate this we are committed to make every attempt to return corrected assignments to students within two week s time. Please remember this will not always be possible as the nature and size of assignments varies greatly, however whenever possible this will be our goal. 2
VIII. Bibliography Required Textbooks: Craven, Margaret. I Heard The Owl Call My Name. Vancouver: Clarke, Irwin and Co. Ltd., 1967. Eliot T. S.. Murder In The Cathedral. London: Harcourt Brace and Co., 1935. Tolstoy, Leo. What Men Live By and Other Tales. Pennsylvania: Wildside Press., 2009. Wiebe, Rudy. Peace Shall Destroy Many. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1962. The Holy Bible A reading package available from the instructor IX. Tentative Schedule of Classes January 7, 2013 AM -Introduction to Class, and expectations. -The study of literature from a Christian perspective lecture. -How to read literature and why. -Themes of the literature on the course (epiphany, love, judgment, law of church and state, death, and spirituality). - Araby by James Joyce (how to read on several levels) January 7, 2013 PM -discuss Araby and its symbolism (three levels of reading literature) -look at definitions for a drama and drama as a genre -read aloud Murder in the Cathedral by T. S. Elliot -discuss Murder in the Cathedral January 8, 2013 AM -continuation of the discussion on Murder in the Cathedral -develop a thesis for essay #1 and discuss T.S. Elliot s poem Journey of the Magi -decide on a due date for essay #2. -discuss What Men Live By. January 8, 2013 PM -continue work on What Men Live By and Other Stories -begin work on the poetry in the reading package and discuss poetry as a genre -technical terms and work on rhyme, accent, and poetic feet 3
January 9, 2013 AM -continue with work on poetry -group work and individual poetry presentations January 9, 2013 PM -the novel as a genre -discuss I Heard the Owl Call My Name -assigned questions for I Heard the Owl Call My Name and group work January 10, 2013 AM -thesis statements for essay #1 and 2 reviewed on an individual basis after class -short stories and essays discussed as a genre -individual essays and short stories discussed and worked on in groups January 10, 2013 PM -discuss Peace Shall Destroy Many -group work on questions about Peace Shall Destroy Many January 11, 2013 AM -continue discussion on Peace Shall Destroy Many -summary of genres and themes on the course. -further work from reading package. January 11, 2013 PM -work on poetry, themes, genres and review -final exam X. Additional Bibliographic References: Adler, Mortimer J., and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book. Toronto: Simon and Schuster, 1972. Beebe, Maurice, Literary Symbolism. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Co. Inc., 1967. Bennett J.A.W. and Smithers G.V., eds., Early Middle English Verse and Prose. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1968. Cawley, A.C. and Anderson J. J., eds., Peal, Cleanness, Patience, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.London, England: Dent, Everyman s Library, 1983. Coles, Robert, The Call of Stories. Boston: Houghton Miflin Co., 1989. Davies, Gaius, Genius and Grace. London, England: Hodder Stroughton Ltd., 1992. 4
Damrosch, David, ed., The Longman Anthology of British Literature vol. I. New York: Longman Ltd., 1999. Damrosch, David, ed., The Longman Anthology of British Literature vol. II. New York: Longman Ltd., 1999. Dyrness, William A., Visual Faith: art theology and worship in dialogue. Michigan: Baker Book House Co. 2001. Eliot, T. S., Four Quartets. New York: Harcourt, Inc., 1971. Eliot, T. S., Selected Poems. London, England: Faber and Faber Ltd., 1976. Fussell, Paul. Poetic Meter and Poetic Form. New York: Random House, 1979. Gaebelein, Frank E. The Christian, The Arts and Truth:Regaining the Vision of Greatness. Edited by D. Bruce Lockerbie. Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1985. Geddes, Gary, ed., The Art of Short Fiction. Don Mills, Ontario:Addison Wesley Longman Ltd., 1999. Griffith, Kelly. Writing Essays about Literature. Toronto: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1982. Harmon, William, ed., The top 500 Poems. New York: Columbia University Press, 1992. Hayakawa, S. I., Language in Thought and Action. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1978. Leggett, Glenn, ed., 12 Poets. Toronto: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1958. O Connor, Flannery, Collected Works. New York: Literary Classics of the United States Inc., 1988. Ryken, Leland. The Christian Imagination. Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press, Shaw Books Edition, 2002. Ryken, Leland. Culture in Christian Perspective. Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1996. Timmerman, John H., and Donald R. Hettinga, eds., In the World, 2d ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2004. 5