COL116 - Fiction and the Real

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Academic Year 2005/2006

Fiction and the Real
COL 116 SP

This course tackles one of the longest-standing themes in literary study: the question of literature's relation to real life. Much of the seminar will be devoted to close reading of novels from the main era of "realism" in literature, the second half of the nineteenth century, but we will also consider the status of realism in contemporary fiction. And throughout the course, we will explore realism as both a technique and a philosophy: as a series of literary practices that create the illusion of verisimilitude, and as a kind of writing that claims an intimate knowledge of lived experience.

MAJOR READINGS

The first part of the course will center on two nineteenth-century novels: Flaubert's MADAME BOVARY and George Eliot's MIDDLEMARCH. We might also consider the fiction of Zola and Gissing. In the second half of the course we will turn, first, to critics who argued both for and against the idea of realism in literature (Auerbach, Nabokov); and, then, to contemporary American short fiction (Bellow, Cheever, Carver).

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Students will be asked to write three short papers, spaced out evenly through the term. Each student will also give a brief in-class presentation, based on a particular week's reading. Participation in discussion is a major part of the course. There are no exams in this seminar.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

There will be many opportunities for students to develop their writing - both in conversation with the instructor and through exchanges with other students in the course. If there is enough interest, we will also schedule film screenings.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA COL Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Matz,Aaron J.

Times: .....F. 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: BTFDA413;

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 19)

SR. major: X Jr. major: X

SR. non-major: X Jr. non-major: X SO: X FR: 19

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Speaking, Writing

FYI: FYI Seminar

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006