LITR 202 European Novel
Spring 2015
Loyola University Chicago
John Felice Rome Center
Spring Semester 2015
Literature 202 - The European Novel |
Prof. Grazia Sotis |
Course description
The course focuses on two major European literary works of the 19th century and four of the early 20th century in order to give students an overview of the literary production of the most representative European novels.
Learning Outcome:
- Demonstrate knowledge of literary traditions and expressions.
- Study influential works as representative forms of literary production in which Europeans explore their historical and societal experience, their human experience and reflect on the process of literary creation.
- Assess how formal qualities of literary works determine the nature of the experience offered and affect the response of the audience.
- Examine multiple interpretive possibilities of the literary works and know that such interpretations both reflect the culture that produced them and change over time.
Textbooks:
The House by the Medlar Tree (1881), Giovanni Verga - Italy
The Kreutzer Sonata (1889), Leo Tolstoy - Russia
Death in Venice (1912), Thomas Mann - Germany
The Metamorphosis (1916), Franz Kafka - Mittel-Europe (Cekia)
Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man (1916), James Joyce - Ireland
To the Lighthouse (1927), Virginia Woolf - England
Requirements:
Exams and one final paper will be used to assess literary knowledge and critical thinking. They will assess whether or not you can:
- Use critical and technical vocabulary to describe and analyze, and formulate an argument about literary works and literary types.
- Examine multiple interpretative possibilities of literary works.
- Assess the relationship of literary texts to the cultural-historical nexus that produced them.
- Generate new ideas and hypotheses in relation to the study of literary works and of how they reflect changes over time; and develop strategies for seeking and synthesizing information to support your argument.
Grading:
- class attendance and participation 20%
- two quizzes 20%
- mid-term examination 15%
- final paper (~2000 words) 20%
- final examination 25%
Grading scale:
100-93 |
A |
85-81 |
B |
74.5-71 |
C |
62.5-60 |
D |
92-89 |
A- |
80-78 |
B- |
70.5-68 |
C- |
59.5-57 |
D- |
88-86 |
B+ |
77-75 |
C+ |
67.5-63 |
D+ |
below 57 |
F |
- Daily attendance and active participation in class are vital factors in gaining literary knowledge and developing critical thinking skills.
- The student is welcome to see the instructor at regular office hours or by appointment when additional help is needed.
- Students are invited to prepare all readings before discussion in class.
- Topics for the papers are to be discussed with the instructor before writing: these present such a wide spectrum but the choice will rest ultimately on the student.
- All papers should involve strictly personal research
Attendance Policy and Academic Integrity Statement:
“Pursuit of truth is the prime activity in a university community. As a member of this community each student pledges to maintain standards of honesty and integrity in all academic work. Exams: Students must rely exclusively upon their own knowledge. Papers: students must document sources of secondary information. Failure to comply with these standards will result in a failing grade.”
Class attendance is strongly recommended: students are allowed only for two unexcused absences, from the third absence the grade will drop of 5% for each class missed:
Total class attendance |
minus two lessons |
100 pts |
“ |
minus three lessons |
95 pts |
“ |
minus four lessons |
90 pts |
… |
… |
… |
Failure to take an exam or quiz, unless justified by real necessity (e.g. illness; travel will never be accepted as a reason) brings an F in it. There will be no make-up exams.
Schedule of Readings:
1st Week |
Historical and Social Introduction |
2nd & 3rd & 4th & 5th Week |
The House by the Medlar Tree – Giovanni Verga |
Feb. 19th |
Quiz 1 |
6th & 7th Week |
Death in Venice – Thomas Mann |
March 5th |
Exam 1 |
Mar 6th-15th |
Spring Break |
8th &9th Week |
The Metamorphosis – Franz Kafka |
10th &11th Week |
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man – James Joyce |
April 9th |
Quiz 2 |
12th & 13th Week |
To the Lighthouse – Virginia Woolf |
April 16th |
Final paper due |
April 24th |
Study Day |
April 25, 27-30th |
Finals |
Office hours: Tue and Thu 1,40 - 2,20 p.m. and by appointment.
E-mail: gsotis@luc.edu