Descriptions of New Courses for 2008-2009

100-6. Song, Self, Society: The Poetry of Dickinson and Whitman
The mid-19th century works of Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman laid out utterly different but comparably brilliant paths to modern literary expression in the US and beyond. Combining an emphasis on the analysis pf poetic "form" with attention to these writers' shared and differing social contexts and expressive styles, this course will provide students with the tools to read these poets (and a few of their precursors and followers) with skill and pleasure and to write knowledgeably and effectively about their works. No previous penchant for or training in reading poetry required. 6 credits, AL.
Spring – P. Balaam

243. Text and Film
Each text selected for this course will be paired with its filmic adaptation for a series of discussions focused on narrative structures, points of view, frames of reference, and textual (in)fidelity. We will read the following texts and watch their film versions: Wright’s Native Son, Malcolm X and Haley’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Naylor’s The Women of Brewster Place, Walker’s The Color Purple, McMillan’s Waiting to Exhale, and Mosley’s Devil in a Blue Dress. 6 credits, AL. Spring—K. Owusu

251. Modern Indian Fiction II
Modern Indian Fiction II will focus on Indian fiction by writers who came to prominence after 1980. The period is inaugurated by the monumental publication of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children in 1981, and part of the course objectives will be to track the explosion of Indian writing in English in the decades that follow. The course will also examine Indian fiction in translation from other languages in the same period and consider the question of the ways in which these traditions intersect, and whether it is possible to speak of Indian Literature as a singular category. Group IV. 6 credits, AL. Winter – A. Chakladar

272. Truth vs. Power: A Journey in Journalism
Journalism is in turmoil today. Bold experimentation is needed to meet such dramatic new challenges to journalism as the Internet, the decline of newspapers, multilingual readerships, and global crises requiring activism more than "objectivity.” The class will move between a theoretical focus -- exploring journalism's basic theories and often-contradictory methods, purposes and aims-- and a practical focus inviting students to strive towards their highest journalistic ideals. Students will be challenged to blend journalism's indispensable norms of factual accuracy, fairness and quality writing with new technologies such as blogging, podcasting, videocasting, social networking and RSS feeds. 6 credits, AL. Fall - D. McGill

280. The Crafts of Writing: Creative Non-Fiction
Do you like it when true things happen? Would you like to take those true things and make them sound truer than true? Would you like to use words while doing that? In this course, students will write a rant, a reported essay, and also explore a creative non-fiction form of their choosing. Class time will be spent on live writing assignments, giving and receiving feedback, learning basic research techniques, and having discussions about things that seem trivial right up until the moment that their ultimate significance is revealed. 6 credits, S/CR/NC, AL. Winter - D. Cass

333. Contemporary Native American Literature
This course focuses on significant works by Native American writers from the 1970's to the present with an added emphasis on critical history and cultural studies. The readings vary in genre, style, and subject matter, and include the writings/performances of Sherman Alexie, Leslie Silko, and Spiderwoman Theater. Alongside this study of primary texts, we will consider the various ways in which critics have conceived the Native American literary tradition and participate in the debates that emerge. Finally, the literature will be placed in key cultural contexts of the American Indian Movement, popular representations of Native Americans, and reservation life. Group IV. 6 credits, AL. Fall - S. Lee

381. Carleton London Program: Reading London
The course will center on the neglected genre of the essay. We will read and discuss historical and contemporary British essayists for an understanding of rhetoric and aesthetics, for insight into London and as models for writing. Each student will write a series of creative nonfiction essays based on cultural artifacts and sites from various periods in London’s history, including the present. These may include portraits from the Tate Gallery, sculpture from the British Museum, churches by Christopher Wren, manuscripts from the British Library, pubs, clubs (both of the old-fashioned gentlemen’s and the dance variety!) and Harrods department store. In the tradition of the essay, the writing for this course will combine personal and critical perspectives. Through workshops and revision, each writer will learn strategies for effectively establishing his or her own voice in order to confront the vast tableaux of history with confidence.
Winter - G. Hewett

395. British Comedy
A study of the elements of comedy--lot, character, dialogue, wit, and humor--in British comic plays, novels, and films. Authors will include Shakespere, Congreve, Austen, Wilde, and Stoppard. 6 credits, AL Senior Seminar, No group for English majors. Spring - C. Walker