C E R R I T O S C O L L E G E Norwalk, California COURSE OUTLINE ENGLISH 233 READINGS IN THE NOVEL Approved by the Curriculum Committee on: February 24, 2000 Daniel Gardner Joana Mootz Gonzales Nishi Shah Professors Reviewed by: Dr. Steve Clifford/ Nishi Shah Department Co-Chairs David Fabish Instructional Dean, Liberal Arts Rick Miranda Vice-President of Academic Affairs/Assistant Superintendent
ENGL 233 - READINGS IN THE NOVEL 2 Revised/reviewed: 5/88, 1/27/00, 2/24/00, 9/14/07, 9/23/08, 10/6/17 Content review: 1/27/00 I. Catalog description A. Course description This is a course in the novel emphasizing structure, theme, and style. Outstanding Continental, English and American novels are studied. B. Class hours: 3.0 Lecture Units: 3 C. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52 or ENGL 72 or ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of C or higher, or of Pass, or completion of the placement process with eligibility for ENGL 100. D. Co-requisite: None E. Recommendation: None II. Texts and other instructional materials A. Required texts Instructor may choose the latest editions of at least six novels from the departmental list or any other Cerritos College Board approved text 1. Madden, David. Eight Classic American Novels. Troy, Missouri: Harcourt Brace, 1989. 2. Barnet, Sylvan, and William E. Cain. A Short Guide to Writing About Literature. Pearson, 12 th Edition, 2011. 3. Norton Critical Editions in the Novel. W.W. Norton & Co. Inc. Faculty-Authored Texts: Texts Approved by the English Department B. References 1. Bal, Mieke. Narratology: An Introduction to Narrative, 3 rd Edition. University of Toronto Press, 2009. 2. Bloom, Harold. The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014. 3. Booth, Wayne C. The Company We Keep: An Ethics of Fiction. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989. 4. Diefendorf, Elizabeth and Diana Bryan. The New York Public Library s Books of the Century, Oxford University Press, 1997. 5. Groden, Michael, Kreiswirth, Martin and Imre Szerman. Contemporary Literary and Cultural Theory: The Johns Hopkins Guide. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2012. 6. Harmon, William, and C. Hugh Holman. A Handbook to Literature. 12 th Edition. Pearson, 2011.
ENGL 233 - READINGS IN THE NOVEL 3 7. Karolides, Nicholas J., Margaret Bald, and Dawn B. Sova. 120 Banned Books: Censorship Histories of World Literature. 2 nd Edition. Checkmark Books, 2011. 8. Kershner, R.B. The Twentieth Century Novel: An Introduction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2010 9. Kirsch, Adam. The Global Novel: Writing the World in the 21 st Century. Columbia Global Reports, 2017 10. Parker, Peter. The Reader s Guide to the Twentieth Century Novel. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995. C. Novels by individual authors might include texts such as: 1. Richardson, Samuel. Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded. Oxford U P, 2008. 2. Bronte, Emily. Wuthering Heights. Penguin, 2002. 3. James, Henry. Portrait of a Lady. W. W. Norton & Company, 2017. 4. Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. Penguin, 2007. 5. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. 1987. Vintage, 2004. D. Required materials None III. IV. Course content A. The early novel B. The nineteenth-century novel C. The twentieth-century novel prior to World War II D. The post-world War II novel Course objectives A. Outline major developments in the history of the novel B. Discuss in an essay the sociological background of a given novel C. Analyze any or all of a novel s basic elements: plot, characterization, setting, mood, narrative manner, idea D. Recognize distinguishing characteristics of the subgenres: Bildungsroman, novel of ideas, utopian novel, picaresque novel, etc. E. Increase the enjoyment of reading fiction F. Become, in Henry James term, a good reader V. Assignments A. Reading 1. Assigned novel 2. Biographical information provided for each novel 3. Selected articles and critical reviews 4. Appropriate reference material B. Writing or problem solving or skill attainment 1. Critical analyses of the literature 2. Summaries of the reading
ENGL 233 - READINGS IN THE NOVEL 4 3. Formal essays 4. In-class essays C. Critical thinking 1. Outlining the major developments in the novel 2. Discussing the historical and sociological background of the novel 3. Analyzing the basic elements of the novel 4. Distinguishing the characteristics of the subgenres 5. Evaluating the critical reception of a novel 6. Explicating the author s intention 7. Comparing and contrasting points of view of different authors within a period, of authors from one period to authors in another period, and of representative works with period 8. Discussing a work of literature according to plot, theme, character, point of view, and structure VI. Methods of instruction may include A. Lecture over various pieces of literature from the time periods covered B. Class and group discussions to evaluate and interpret literature C. Written and oral reports relating to the literature D. Instructional media/video viewing VI. Methods of instruction may include continued E. Field trips F. Guest speakers G. Multimedia as available H. Instruction utilizing Electronic Information Technology (EIT) (ie.,video, audio, websites, web services, and software) must comply with Cerritos College BP and AP 3720, Cerritos College BP and AP 3411 and Section 508 standards (law). When the instructor's course materials are not compatible with a student's disability, the instructor will develop an Equally Effective Alternative Access Plan (EEAAP). VII. Methods of evaluation A. Objective tests that determine the range of reading and the retention of basic facts B. Oral reports that determine students ability to communicate Interpretations C. Written reports that analyze the literature in-depth, reflect students ability to critically analyze, evaluate and interpret characteristics of literary genres and periods in which they were written D. Class discussion and written responses E. Final examination
ENGL 233 - READINGS IN THE NOVEL 5 VIII. Student learning outcomes Students will: A. Recognize major developments in the history of the novel B. Identify historical and cultural complexities, and how they influence particular novels C. Recognize the elements of fiction and will be able to use them to analyze particular novels E. Write critical analyses of literary works F. Demonstrate critical engagement with outside sources G. Write in prose style characterized by clarity, complexity and variety H. Adhere to the conventions of standard written English in accord with MLA style MULTICULTURAL STATEMENT Choice of instructional methods and the content of ENGL 233 (Formerly ENGL 33), Readings in the Novel, will reflect the diverse population of the college. Students will explore a variety of themes and issues, a diversity of writing styles, and a spectrum of both famous and lesser-known authors within various cultural literary traditions. Investigation into historical, biographical, and cultural experiences and influence on an author s work will also encourage students to think and write critically about what they read.