Overview
This course introduces students to four main literary genres: the Novel, the Drama, the Essay, and Poetry. It is also designed to improve students’ writing skills, and to develop their knowledge of literary terms and critical techniques as a foundation for further literary study.
J.A. Cuddon, editor of the renowned Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory, defines genre as “a kind, type, or class of literature,” recognizable through its distinctive attributes and features. One way readers can come to a deeper understanding about a work of literature is by seeing it as part of a larger genre, and by assessing how it adheres to—or departs from—those defining characteristics. All genres have discrete elements, which enable readers to subject a work to a close reading and analysis, and to unpack its various layers of meaning. Many genres have sub-genres or even sub-sub-genres, which allow readers to explore a work with increasing levels of sensitivity, and to communicate those ideas to others in a coherent way. This course will introduce students to four main literary genres: short fiction, drama, literary non-fiction, and poetry. It will impart a vocabulary and taxonomy for analysing literature, and it will construct a framework that emphasizes effective writing, critical thinking, and close reading. By doing so, this course will provide students with a sense of the richness and variety of literature, and it will equip them with the reading and writing skills they need for further English studies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
- Identify and describe the hallmarks or “Elements” of four main literary genres (short fiction, drama, literary non-fiction, and poetry);
- Identify, analyse, and employ the language of literary analysis and close reading when discussing texts (e.g., metaphor, irony, pathos, parody, rhetoric, ideology, etc.);
- Demonstrate a sound knowledge of grammar, punctuation, diction, and syntax;
- Compose original arguments that evaluate, analyse, and synthesize primary texts, and that do so within a structural framework that includes a thesis statement, strong topic sentences, textual evidence, a compelling conclusion, and other characteristics of analytical literary essays.
Terms
Evaluation
50% - Essays (x4)
20% - Discussion Forums (x4)
15% - Quizzes (x15)
15% - 2-hr Proctored Final Examination
**Evaluation Subject to Change**
Live Sessions
This course has optional live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities). Please consult the Timeline in the first week of class.
Proctored Exams
If a student is enrolled in ONLY online courses (section 700), they may choose either of the following options to write the exam:
- Write the final exam online: you will write in onQ with Examity proctoring. A $100 online exam fee will be charged to your SOLUS account.
- Write the final exam in-person: you will write on Queen’s campus in Kingston. You will not be charged an extra fee to write on campus.
If a student is enrolled in ANY in-person courses (section 001, 002, etc), you MUST write all your final exams in-person on Queen’s campus, including for an online course. You may not choose to write your exams online.
Location and Timing of Final Exams
Once the exam schedule has been finalized the exam date will be posted on your SOLUS account. The exam dates for each Term are listed in the Academic Calendar. Student exam schedules for the Fall Term are posted via SOLUS immediately prior to the Thanksgiving holiday; for the Winter Term they are posted on the Friday before Reading Week, and for the Summer Term they are individually noted on the Arts and Science Online syllabi. Students should delay finalizing any travel plans until after the examination schedule has been posted. Exams will not be moved or deferred to accommodate employment, travel/holiday plans or flight reservations.
Textbook and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Required Books
- Lisa Chalykoff, et al., eds. The Broadview Introduction to Literature (2nd edition, 4 volumes packaged together)
- Chris Baldick, The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms
- Paul Headrick, A Method for Writing Essays About Literature (3rd edition)
Time Commitment
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend on average, about 9 - 10 hours per week (120 hours per term) on the course.
Evaluation
50% - Essays (x4)
20% - Discussion Forums (x4)
15% - Quizzes (x15)
15% - 2-hr Proctored Final Examination
**Evaluation Subject to Change**
Live Sessions
This course has optional live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities). Please consult the Timeline in the first week of class.
Proctored Exams
If a student is enrolled in ONLY online courses (section 700), they may choose either of the following options to write the exam:
- Write the final exam online: you will write in onQ with Examity proctoring. A $100 online exam fee will be charged to your SOLUS account.
- Write the final exam in-person: you will write on Queen’s campus in Kingston. You will not be charged an extra fee to write on campus.
If a student is enrolled in ANY in-person courses (section 001, 002, etc), you MUST write all your final exams in-person on Queen’s campus, including for an online course. You may not choose to write your exams online.
Location and Timing of Final Examinations
Once the exam schedule has been finalized the exam date will be posted on your SOLUS account. The exam dates for each Term are listed on the Faculty of Arts and Science webpage under "Important Dates." Student exam schedules for the Fall Term are posted via SOLUS immediately prior to the Thanksgiving holiday; for the Winter Term they are posted on the Friday before Reading Week, and for the Summer Term they are individually noted on the Arts and Science Online syllabi. Students should delay finalizing any travel plans until after the examination schedule has been posted. Exams will not be moved or deferred to accommodate employment, travel/holiday plans or flight reservations.
Textbook and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Required Books
- Lisa Chalykoff, et al., eds. The Broadview Introduction to Literature (2nd edition, 4 volumes packaged together)
- Chris Baldick, The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms
- Paul Headrick, A Method for Writing Essays About Literature (3rd edition)
Time Commitment
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend on average, about 9 - 10 hours per week (120 hours per term) on the course.
Testimonials
"It was my first online course and I was pleasantly surprised with how well it worked. It was easy to stay motivated - there was always something to do (either essays or small assignments), and the readings were very interesting. All in all, I enjoyed it a lot and I would definitely recommend it to other students."
- Course evaluation, ENGL 100: Introduction to Literary Study (2014)