English 273: Contemporary Literature

http://www.as.wvu.edu:8000/clc/Members/sbaldwin/courses/engl273f05
Professor Sandy Baldwin
charles.baldwin at mail.wvu.edu
293-3107x33490
Office Hours: T,R 1000-1120, STA 139, and by appointment.

Course Description

"Ideas evolve and de-evolve, and history is turned on end." - Don DeLillo

From the English Department Catalog: "ENGL 273: An examination of the significant literature written since 1960 in England and America, including poetry, drama, and fiction. Selections will vary depending on the instructor."

"Contemporary" means belonging to our time, up to date, and simultaneous with us. The contemporary is immediate and impinges on our lives. This course considers literature written since the turn of the millenium - 21st Century literature. And, necessarily, this literature is overshadowed by September 11 as the defining event within this new century. These are works that turn around that day, even if they are not immediately concerned with 9/11. At least in the first part of the course, we will be directly concerned with how writers engage with and resist 9/11 and its aftermath. The "absent experience" of trauma is one approach, both for the writer and for the larger society. Globalization is another, re-situating our culture in a larger dynamic setting, with changes to notions of self, history, rights, and representations. With this comes a changed sense of the literary work, transforming its material and medial status. We will read novels, stories, poems, and graphic novels (comics); works from the USA, Japan, Africa, Iran. The class will be run in discussion rather than lecture format.

Course Goals

• to be able to discuss and write about the language, design, structure, and method of contemporary literature;

• to be able to discuss and write about contemporary literature with an awareness of cultural and historical contexts;
• more specifically, to show an awareness in discussion and writing of how globalization, intermediality, materiality, trauma, and other approaches modelled in the course, shape our reading of contemporary literature and contemporary reality.

Required Texts Available at the WVU Bookstore

• Sherman Alexie, The Toughest Indian in the World

• Daniel Clowes, David Boring
• William Gibson, Pattern Recognition
• Nadine Gordimer, Loot
• Nada Gordon and Gary Sullivan, Swoon
• Stephen King, Everthing's Eventual
• Barry Lopez, Resistance
• Haruki Murakami, After the Quake
• Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis
• Art Spiegelman, In the Shadow of No Towers

Requirements

• 10 short responses posted to the class wiki at http://www.as.wvu.edu:8000/clc/Members/sbaldwin/courses/ENGL273Responses. You will need to register as a new user on the web site; it's free and requires no personal information. Simply select "New User" on the site's home page at http://www.clc.wvu.edu and follow the instructions. Responses dates are indicated on the syllabus by R; they are due by class time on that date. Note: there are 11 dates listed; you respond to any 10. Responses are at least 500 words and respond to a specific passage in the text under discussion for that date (if there are two texts, you can choose one). All responses will be read and receive some feedback; they will be graded on a 4-point scale. 10x2=20%

• In-class presentation. All students will sign up for one in-class presentation. The presentation will last at least 10 minutes and open discussion of the text. The presenter is responsible for leading class discussion following the presentation. Presentations must include a supporting handout of at least one page. The format for the presentation is open: you may focus on specific passages in the text; you may perform the text in some way; you may supply background information and contextualization; etc. You may not simply summarize the text. You are encouraged to meet with me to discuss your presentation. Post a copy of your handout to the wiki (this does not count as one of your 10 wiki responses, nor should you do a separate wiki posting that week). The list of presentations is here. 10%
• Two shorts essays. 5 pages minimum + Works Cited. Due Oct 6 and Dec 13 via email to sandy. Essay 1 notes are here. Essay 2 notes are here. Topics to be discussed in class. 2x25=50%
• Participation. The class will be run in discussion rather than lecture format. There will be frequent in-class work with groups of other students and occasional in-class writing. As part of your participation, you must meet with me before mid-semester for a conference (you can meet for additional conferences, of course). We'll discuss your thoughts about the class and your progress at that point. You can just appear during my office hours or make an appointment. 20%

Attendance

You are allowed two unexcused absences. Additional absences will negatively affect your course grade. More than four unexcused absences will result in a failing grade.

Academic Integrity

West Virginia University expects that every member of its academic community shares the historic and traditional commitment to honesty, integrity, and the search for truth. Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism, cheating and dishonest practices; and forgery, misrepresentation, or fraud. Here is WVU's Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism Policy.

Social Justice Statement

"West Virginia University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and nondiscrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration. If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class. Please advise me and make appropriate arrangement with Disability Services (293-6700)."

Schedule

Aug 23

Introduction and Definitions

Aug 25

Don DeLillo, In the Ruins of the Future, Slavoj Zizek, Welcome to the Desert of the Real.

Aug 30

William Gibson, Pattern Recognition, 1-16

Sep 1

Pattern Recognition, 17-27 R

Sep 6

Pattern Recognition, to the end

Sep 8

Barry Lopez, Resistance, through "A Bear in the Road" R

Sep 13

Resistance

Sept 15

Art Spiegelman, In the Shadow of No Towers, 1-10 R

Sep 20

In the Shadow of No Towers

Sep 22

Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis, through page 86 R

Sep 27

Persepolis

Sep 29

Class Cancelled

Oct 4

Workshop. Bring 5 copies of your draft to class. Workshop Questions.

Oct 6

Nada Gordon and Gary Sullivan, Swoon
Essay 1 due by 6pm via email to Sandy

Oct 11

Swoon

Oct 13

Swoon R

Oct 18

Haruki Murakami, After the Quake, first four stories

Oct 20

After the Quake R

Oct 25

After the Quake plus "Loot" from Loot

Oct 27

Nadine Gordimer, Loot, through "L.U.C.I.E" R

Nov 1

Loot

Nov 3

Sherman Alexie, The Toughest Indian in the World, first two stories R

Nov 8

The Toughest Indian in the World

Nov 10

The Toughest Indian in the World R

Nov 15

Stephen King, Everything's Eventual, first four stories

Nov 17

Everything's Eventual R

Nov 22

Thanksgiving

Nov 24

Thanksgiving

Nov 29

Everything's Eventual

Nov 31

Daniel Clowes, David Boring R

Dec 6

David Boring

Dec 8

Workshop and Conclusions

Dec 13

Essay 2 due via email to Sandy