Acknowledgement of Traditional Territory
We are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) and Mi’kmaq peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.
Accessibility Statement
Acadia University is dedicated to improving access to campus life for all students with disabilities. While we attempt to ensure that all courses are accessible, we recognize that there are barriers that need to be addressed on an individual basis. Students who require accommodations to complete coursework or otherwise fully participate in class should contact Accessible Learning Services directly as soon as possible.Please visit Accessible Learning Services website or email them at accessible.learning@acadiau.ca for more information.
Acadia is a Scent-Free Campus
In consideration of the difficulties that exposure to scented products causes individuals with sensitivities and allergies, all students, faculty, staff, employees of any companies working on university property, visitors, and guests of Acadia University, or of members of the University community are asked to refrain from wearing scented personal care products such as perfumes or aftershave, lotions, hair spray, and deodorant. In addition, users of tobacco and cannabis are asked to be aware that odours associated with product use may impact individuals with sensitivities and allergies. Acadia University in consultation with its contracted cleaning staff, have agreed to use products that do not leave residual odors that may cause difficulties for individuals with sensitivities and allergies.Course Description
This introductory level course will focus on the literary genres of poetry, drama, and prose fiction. Students will be taught to read closely, to place literary works in a larger cultural and historical context, and to compose arguments designed to persuade their own readers to see the validity of the student's interpretation or evaluation of a work.Course Texts
Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Perennial Classics, 1998.Orwell, George. 1984. Toronto: Penguin Books, 2000.
Grading (subject to class modification)
Demonstrations of reading comprehension . . . . . . . 25%(A fancy way of describing your contributions to the classroom experience.)
First paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%
Second paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%
Novels Oral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%
Class Rules
You will NOT use your phone or even have it out during the class period.By Acadia University Senate policy you will NOT use any device, including your computer or your phone, to record all or any part of any of your classes without obtaining permission from the professor before you start recording.
You are required to submit all major assignments. Failure to submit even one will result in a course grade of F (Cf. Acadia University Academic Calendar 2025-2026, Course Assessment and Evaluation, The Syllabus/Course Outline p 45).
| January | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Thursday | Topic | Reading | Notes |
| 6 | 8 | For Th: For Tu: | ||
| 13 | 15 | Introductions. AI | For Th: "Our king, our priest, our feudal lord" For Tu: "horror writers on the scariest stories they’ve ever read" | on Genre |
| 20 | 22 | Short fiction | For Th: "Araby" and "Hills Like White Elephants" For Tu: "The Yellow Wallpaper" and "The Story of an Hour" | on marriage |
| 27 | 29 | Short fiction Drama | Tu: "Happy Endings", and The False Gems" Th: "The Tempest" | |
| February | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Thursday | Topic | Reading | Notes |
| 3 | 5 | Nineteenth-century socially conscious drama | "A Doll's House" | |
| 10 | 12 | " " | "A Doll's House" | First essay due Sunday at midnight |
| 17 | 19 | Reading Week | ||
| 24 | 26 | Dystopian Long Fiction | 1984 & Brave New World | |
| March | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Thursday | Topic | Reading | Notes |
| 3 | 5 | Long fiction | 1984 and Brave New World | |
| 10 | 12 | Long fiction | 1984 and Brave New World | |
| 17 | 19 | 1984 and Brave New World | ||
| 24 | 26 | 1984 and Brave New World | Orals | |
| 31 | 1984 and Brave New World | Orals | ||
| April | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Thursday | Topic | Reading | Notes |
| 2 | 1984 and Brave New World | Orals Second paper | ||