English 350W: Twentieth-century British Novel

Hodgkins                                                                                                          Spring 2002

Hhhodgki@uncg.edu                                                                                           Office: MCVR 136-D

(h) 316-0463                                                                                                     TR 11-12, W 9:30-10:30

(o) 4-5837                                                                                                                     & by appt.

 

Course description:  This course involves extensive reading of high-modernist British novels by Conrad, Joyce, Lawrence, and Woolf; we will also read the not-so-high works of Forster, Greene, Waugh, and Kingsley Amis.  We will focus on ideas and aesthetic beliefs as demonstrated in modernist stylistic innovations and in typical themes such as the artist’s development (in the khntslerroman), religious loss, and gender conflict.

            As a small, writing-intensive course, this class also requires that students share their words and ideas, in class discussion and in scheduled presentations as time permits.

 

Course goals:  The student successfully completing this course will be able to:

--read and understand some of the great literary works of twentieth-century Britain;

--grasp some patterns of thought and aesthetics in literary modernism;

--enjoy the beauty and challenge of great novels.

 

Texts:  Please endeavor to find the correct editions.  Most are available in used bookstores.

Conrad, Heart of Darkness (Dover)

The Portable James Joyce (Viking/Penguin)

Lawrence, Sons and Lovers (Penguin)

Woolf, To the Lighthouse (Harcourt/Brace pb)

Forster, A Passage to India (Harcourt trade pb)

Greene, The Power and the Glory (Viking/Penguin)

Waugh, Brideshead Revisited (Little, Brown pb)

Amis, Lucky Jim (Viking/Penguin)

Recommended: Kershner, The Twentieth-Century Novel (Bedford)

 

Your responsibilities:

A.     To read each novel carefully and come to class prepared to discuss it.

B.     To give one oral report on the date scheduled.

C.     To write three thoughtful and meticulous papers and turn them in on the required dates.

D.     To take two examinations as scheduled.

 

Grades:           Reading quizzes and informal writing                                          10%

                        Critical evaluation (5-page paper)                                               15%

                        Outside novel analysis (oral and written)                                     15%

                        Expanded rewrite (8-10 pages)                                                   20%

                        Midterm and final examinations (20% each)                                40%

Extra credit for high-quality class participation.

 

Attendance: Regular, prompt attendance is expected.  Tardies and early leave-takings will be regarded as evidence of your indifference.  After three absences, or the equivalent in missed class time, you will be dropped from the class. This rule does apply to students who add late.

 

Honor policy:  All work in this class should be governed by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy.  I consider the use of Cliff’s Notes or any crib resource a violation of this policy.  A first-time offender will receive an F on the assignment; further violations will subject you to University disciplinary procedures.

 

Schedule (subject to revision):

Unless otherwise instructed, you should read each novel in its entirety before we begin discussing it.

 

1/16      Introduction to modernism; introduction to Conrad; sign-ups.

 

1/23      Conrad, Heart of Darkness; Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Chapter 1

 

1/30      Portrait

 

2/6        Portrait; Ulysses excerpts

 

2/13      Laurence, Sons and Lovers

 

2/20      Sons and Lovers

 

2/27      Woolf, To the Lighthouse

 

3/6        Lighthouse; midterm exam, 7:30-8:50

 

Spring break

 

3/20      Outside novel oral presentations; discussions of later modernism

 

3/27      Finish oral presentations; Forster, A Passage to India

                                                                                                Thurs., 3/28, 5 p.m.: Outside novel

4/3        Passage to India                                                          essay due, MCVR 136-D

 

4/10      Greene, The Power and the Glory

 

4/17      Power and Glory; Waugh, Brideshead Revisited

 

4/24      Brideshead

 

5/1        Amis, Lucky Jim

 

à Expanded rewrite due Mon., 5/6, 5 p.m.

à Final examination:  Wed., 5/15, 6-9 p.m.