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Nathalie op de Beeck
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English 375: Literature for Adolescents Spring 2006 / Tues-Thurs, 9:35-10:50 a.m. / 368 College of Business
309.438.5649 /
dbop@ilstu.edu / 421L Stevenson Hall
This section of Literature for Adolescents investigates the shifting concept of adolescence as well as literature and media associated with the adolescent. Our texts include material from the nineteenth century to the present. Critical essays, historical/archival research, and film screenings will be among the assignments, in order to grasp how understandings of childhood and teenage life have been transmitted and revised through the decades. Readings will provide perspectives on growing up, class and gender relations, and race/ethnicity, and we will spend some time on diaries and first-person narratives (whether presumed “authentic” or presented as fictive). The course concludes with contemporary novels that situate the adolescent in terms of sexuality and gender, ethnic and racial diversity, and socioeconomic status.
Required Texts
Please obtain the editions listed here, which contain essays and information pertaining to course assignments. Remember that campus bookstores begin mailing texts back to publishers after six weeks. If you plan to buy your books on campus, get them by mid-February.
Do the readings according to the Course Schedule. That is, if a novel or essay is listed for discussion on January 19, you should finish all the reading before class on January 19. Occasionally, additional reading material will be distributed in class.
Course Requirements
Essays. This semester, each student will write two essays of approximately 2000-2500 words each (7-10 double-spaced pages, not counting the bibliography). Essays evolve out of the readings, in-class writings, and group discussions, and your writing should demonstrate a critical engagement with the assigned texts and ideas. Assignment deadlines are listed on the course schedule, and in-class handouts will provide detailed information on topics and requirements. Each essay is worth 25% of your grade.
Journals. Our twelve journals will include in-class free-writing and occasional bring-to-class research. I will distribute journal assignments during class, collect them weekly, and give credit on an ongoing basis. You should write complete sentences and paragraphs as you respond to journal questions, and you should use specific examples from texts (with page numbers) whenever possible. These journals are meant to prepare you for the longer essays, as well as to chart your progress in critical reading and analysis. 25% of your grade.
Film review.
During the semester, you’ll screen and write
about one film pertaining to our coursework on adolescence and childhood. I will
try to announce ongoing campus film series and films at local theaters, and I
will give you a list of DVDs and videos (either free from Milner Library or easy
to rent) that fulfill this requirement. Whatever you choose, be sure to screen
the film in its entirety. In 750-1000 thoughtful words, with concise plot
summary and specific examples of dialogue and characterization, comment on what
happens in the film, elaborate on your opinion, and describe how the film
relates to our discussions and course readings. You will email the review to me
as a Microsoft Word attachment (dbop@ilstu.edu). I will acknowledge receipt of
the writing and then grade the piece for credit. All film reviews are due by 5
p.m. on Friday, March 31. 10% of your grade.
Attendance and Participation. Passing this course depends upon keeping up with the reading, turning in journals and assignments on time, actively participating in classroom discussion, and attending course meetings. I do keep track of attendance and participation, and I take these into consideration when calculating final grades. Each missed class is 4 percent off, so you can miss twice and still have 92 percent overall. Repeated lateness, early departure, and/or sleeping in class will be to your disadvantage, and students who miss eight or more meetings automatically fail the course. If you know in advance that you are going to be absent, excused or not, please let me know in writing so that we can plan accordingly.
In addition, be advised that plagiarism or cheating of any kind result in your failing the course. If you do your own work diligently, you can succeed in this course. Please don’t hesitate to speak to me about any concerns that arise with your writing or other efforts.
On that note, please know that I encourage everyone (but not all at once…) to drop in during my office hours or schedule a time to discuss your progress and future plans. Each of your professors schedules weekly office hours for your convenience. We do want to talk with you, so don’t be shy. I’m happy to meet, and I sometimes may request an individual conference. If and when you have questions, concerns, or ideas about the coursework, please make an appointment or just drop by for a chat.
Course Schedule
Jan 17 Introduction “Dick Whittington and His Cat”
Jan 19 Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist (1846; serial publication began in 1837) Read (on Tuesday or Wednesday) for this meeting: Preface (pp. ix-xii) Author’s Preface (pp. 3-7) “The Poor Law Debate” / “The Poor Law Riots” (pp. 365-374) Journal 1
Jan 24-26 Oliver Twist, Chapters I-XXII (pp. 17-155) In addition, read Monroe Engel, “The Social and Political Issues” (pp. 495-499) Handout: Assignment for Essay 1, due Feb 16 Journal 2
Jan 31-Feb 2 Oliver Twist, Chapters XXIII-XL (pp. 156-271) In addition, read Harry Stone, “Dickens and the Jews” (pp. 448-454) Journal 3
Feb 7-9 Oliver Twist, Chapters XLI-LIII (271-360) In addition, read Charles Dickens, “An Appeal to Fallen Women” and “Sikes and Nancy” (381-395) Handout: Excerpt from comics artist Will Eisner Journal 4
Feb 14-16 Graphic and cinematic adaptations of Oliver Twist Read excerpt from Will Eisner’s Fagin the Jew Read Steven Marcus, “Who Is Fagin?” (pp. 478-495 in Norton Critical Edition) Journal 5
Feb 21 Essay 1 workshop in class
Handout: Readings from Mark Twain and Carol Nackenoff
Feb 23 No class meeting today!
Friday, Feb 24 Essay 1 and workshop draft due at my office by 5 p.m.
Feb 28-Mar 2 Horatio Alger, Ragged Dick, or Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks (pp. 88-145) Read short pieces by Mark Twain on “the good little boy” and “the bad little boy” Journal 6
Mar 7-9 Horatio Alger, Tattered Tom, or The Adventures of a Street Arab (pp. 2-85) Read excerpt from Carol Nackenoff’s The Fictional Republic: Horatio Alger and American Political Discourse Journal 7
Mar 11-19 Spring Break
Mar 21-23 Stephen Crane, Maggie, a Girl of the Streets Additional readings assigned from Crane’s New York Writings Handout: Assignment for Essay 2, due April 13 Journal 8
Mar 28-30 Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Handout: Historical fiction assignment for next week Journal 9 Reminder: Film reviews are due tomorrow, March 31, by 5 p.m.!
Apr 4-6 Historical fiction, the journal form, and Scholastic’s “Dear America” series Journal 10
Apr 11 Essay 2 workshop
Apr 13 Essay 2 and draft version due in class
Apr 18-20 Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar Journal 11
Apr 25-27 Judy Blume, Forever Handout: Assignments on adolescence, gender, and sexuality for next week Journal 12
May 2-4 Adolescence, gender, and sexuality in contemporary books and movies Our take-home, short-answer final exam will be distributed via email on May 4.
May 8-12 Final Exams (deadline to be announced)
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Please email me with any questions or comments! dbop@ilstu.edu |