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Reading Fiction (2042HUM)
Semester 2 / 2013

Texts

Dossier of Readings for 2042HUM:

Old Man Goriot, de Balzac, Penguin Classics. NB: This novel is a translation so you must use the specified edition.

Heart of Darkness and the Congo Diary, Conrad, Penguin Classics.

Death in Venice and Other Stories (Vintage Classics), Mann. NB: This novel is a translation so you must use the specified edition.

Cranford, Gaskell. NB: This novel will be reproduced on the course website in its original format as a monthly serial.

The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald, Penguin.

Atonement, McEwan, Random House.

Description

In Reading Fiction, you will read, discuss and write about some major novels written over the past 200 years. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to concepts, tools and techniques required for the analysis of works of fiction. In 2013, the course also asks you to read a 'serialised' novel published in the nineteenth century, and asks you to reflect on the differences between reading a novel in monthly serial instalments and reading a novel as a single text. It also explores the historical development of various genres and movements in fiction. Reading Fiction aims to develop the disciplinary grounding necessary for advanced literary studies, but also to introduce you to practices of individual reading and writing that lay the foundations for lifelong learning. Incompatible: 2042ART Reading Fiction Incompatible: 2042AMC Reading Fiction Incompatible: 2915ART Narrative Fiction A Incompatible: 2916ART Narrative Fiction B Incompatible: 2915HUM Narrative Fiction A Incompatible: 2916HUM Narrative Fiction B Incompatible: LCS22 Narrative Fiction A Incompatible: LCS23 Narrative Fiction B.

Reading Fiction encourages you to develop literary analytical skills through a direct and personal engagement with a number of major novels written over the past 200 years. The course provides an introduction to literary-critical concepts and techniques and then uses these concepts and techniques as the basis from which to read the narrative texts. The assessment tasks encourage you to become a more perceptive reader, and to develop the ability communicate your perceptions in elegant prose with clear arguments. In addition to formal skills and knowledge, Reading Fiction also aims to introduce you to the less tangible but life-enhancing benefits - intellectual, cultural and affective - of engaging seriously with works of literature.

Assessment

In-class test 25%

Reflection writing exercises in seminars 15%

Take-home exam 25%

Research essay 35%

Other Details

Offered in: 2011, 2012
Current Campus: Nathan
Levels: Undergraduate
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