In this course students will be introduced to novels, plays, and poems from the twentieth century and earlier. This course will develop creative and analytical skills and will provide students with strategies for writing clearly and persuasively.
In my opinion, Engl 1406 is neither fish nor fowl, by which I mean it is not a fully fledged English-subject course (the “critical reading” component), and neither is it a fully fledged composition (i.e. “critical writing”) course. So in the 2021 - 2022 academic year I am going to try separating the two to some extent. Rather than have you write four essays on literary texts you will have read, I am going to grade you on two essays you’ll write on literature, and on shorter assignments intended strictly to ensure you're attending class and paying attention to what I have to say about writing. To this end, most classes will see us devote ourselves to writing that may be quite separate from the texts we discuss that day. This means you must bring to class everyday the computer or tablet (NOT your phone) on which you read the assigned text, your most loquacious, gregarious self so you can discuss the text(s) you read, and a pen and paper.
Beowulf, 2nd ed., Translated & edited by R. M. Liuzza, published by Broadview Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-55481-064-2
Fallada, Hans. Every Man Dies Alone, trans. Geoff Wilkes, published by Melville House, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-93555-404-2