ENGL 1105 Introduction to Literature

Description

Introduction to Literature examines the elements, forms, and content of fiction, drama, and poetry. The course aims to introduce students to various genres of literature, with an emphasis on reading strategies and reading analysis. Assignments include readings, literary reflections, and a research-based literary presentation.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

STSK 0095 or placement by multiple measures

Topics to be Covered

1. Literary Elements: Plot, characterization, theme, point of view, symbolism, narration, and tone.

2. Critical Reading Strategies: Formalist, Biographical, Psychological, Historical, Cultural, Gender, Mythological, Reader-Response, and Deconstructionist

3. Literary analysis and research skills

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities, which includes but is not limited to reading a variety of texts from authors of different cultural backgrounds, genders, and time periods.

2. Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context. This includes but is not limited to a. Responding to a variety of texts from authors of different cultural backgrounds, genders, and time periods. b. Viewing class lectures that discuss the assigned literary readings. c. Reading and researching the historical and cultural context of a work.

3. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities, which includes but is not limited to writing several literary response papers.

4. Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities, which includes but is not limited to responding to a variety of texts from authors of different cultural backgrounds, genders, and time periods.

5. Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States’ history and culture. This includes but is not limited to a. Responding to a variety of texts from authors of different cultural backgrounds, genders, and time periods. b. Reading and researching the historical and cultural context of a work.

6. Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society, which includes but is not limited to applying critical reading strategies to a work in order to analyze it.

7. Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry. This includes but is not limited to a. Responding to a variety of texts from authors of different cultural backgrounds, genders, and time periods. b. Responding to peer responses based on the same readings.

8. Gather factual information and apply it to a given problem in a manner that is relevant, clear, comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected. This includes but is not limited to applying critical reading strategies to literature in order to analyze it.

Credit Details

Lecture: 3

Lab: 0

OJT: 0

MnTC Goal Area(s): Goal Area 06 - The Humanities and Fine Arts, Goal Area 07 - Human Diversity

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Goal Area(s) and Competencies

Goal Area 06: The Humanities and Fine Arts

1. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.

2. Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context.

3. Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.

4. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.

Goal Area 07: Human Diversity

1. Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States’ history and culture.

2. Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.

3. Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.

Transfer Pathway Competencies

Area 1: An Introduction to Literary Studies Course

1. Perform close analysis of literature at an introductory level

2. Demonstrate knowledge of major critical frameworks at an introductory level

3. Employ major critical frameworks to analyze literature at an introductory level

4. Incorporate and document secondary sources at an introductory level