ENG 187A: American Fiction Since 1945

ENG 187a: American Fiction Since 1945 Dr. Irr Fall 2014 TF 11-12:20

UPDATED 10/4/14

Course Description: For fall 2014, this course will concentrate on city novels. Urban fiction examines the symbolic power of space and architecture, issues surrounding social integration and segregation, and (often) questions of environmental sustainability. The literature of the city also explores the distinctive textures of individual cities and places characters' personal dilemmas in the rapidly changing milieus of postwar street life, raising important questions about the collective dimensions of private life. Like city life itself, in other words, urban literature tends to be dynamic, vibrant, and aesthetically diverse. Throughout the semester, we will discuss the distinctive merits of each work individually as well as looking for patterns as the American city novel emerges from its dialogue with suburban realism in the 1950s-70s and turns toward an encounter with “world cities.”

Learning Goals: This course aims to help students: -analyze and understand complex literary texts -apply concepts introduced in class to specific works -identify historical and cultural factors at play across a range of artworks -express themselves effectively in person, in print and online -deepen their appreciation for cultural, geographical, and stylistic diversity

Readings: -Saul Bellow, Seize the Day (1956) -Walker Percy, The Moviegoer (1961) -Thomas Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49 (1968) -Armistead Maupin, Tales of the City (1978) -Brett Easton Ellis, American Psycho (1991) -Hector Tobar, The Tattooed Soldier (1998) -Chimamanda Adichie, Americanah (2013) -Chang Rae Lee, On Such a Full Sea (2014)

Assignments: Attendance, preparation, and participation: 20%. -Close readings: 5 @ 6% each = 30%. On five of the seven possible due dates, students will post a 400- to 500-word close reading. Each close reading must quote and analyze language from a passage in the novel—paying attention to the way this passage develops stylistic elements that are important for the work as a whole. Submissions that discuss plot developments alone do not satisfy the criteria of this assignment. For more detail on grading criteria, see grading rubric for close readings. -Two essays: 25% each. Each 2000-word essay should compare two novels read for the course. Do not discuss the same novel in both essays. Essays may expand upon trains of thought begun in close reading exercises. -Any graduate students enrolled in the course will submit all close reading exercises and one final essay of roughly 4000 words. Essays should include discussion of at least two secondary works addressing your theme. See the bibliography below for suggested critical studies. Works included in the folio of urban theory (see below) are also relevant secondary sources.

Policies: 1) Attendance is required. Students who are absent more than two times will see their attendance and participation marks reduced proportionate to the number of absences. 2) To receive full points for participation, students will also need to contribute appropriately to class discussions and give evidence of being well prepared for class. 3) Any student observed texting or using networked electronic devices for purposes unrelated to the course during class time will be marked absent for that session. Please leave cell phones out of sight during while class is in session. Laptops may be used for note-taking purposes. 4) Assignments are due at the time and date listed on the syllabus (and reposted on LATTE). Students seeking an extension must make arrangements with the professor at least 24 hours before the due date. Any assignments submitted late but within two weeks of the due date will receive a grade reduction proportionate to the degree of lateness. No assignments will be accepted more than two weeks past the due date. 5) All work submitted for the course must be original to the student submitting it. Plagiarism is unacceptable. To avoid plagiarism, quote any and all sources consulted and provide full documentation in the form of footnotes, endnotes, or a bibliography. When in doubt, cite. 6) Penalties for plagiarism are determined by the Office of Academic Affairs and may include failure on the assignment, failure in the course, academic probation, and/or suspension from the university. 7) Students with a documented disability or other special situation (e.g., participation on a traveling sports team) are encouraged to speak to the professor immediately to make appropriate accommodations. ENG 187a: American Fiction Since 1945 Dr. Irr Fall 2014 TF 11-12:20

Course Schedule:

Introduction F 8/29: Course overview. Patterns in American urbanization; J.D. Salinger, “Slight Rebellion Off Madison” (1946)

The Lonely Crowd T 9/2: Bellow, Seize the Day (1956), Chs I-IV; Recommended: Reisman and Jacobs F 9/5: finish Bellow Su 9/7 at 10 pm: Bellow close reading due T 9/9: Percy, The Moviegoer (1961), Part One. Rec: Simmel and de Certeau F 9/12: Percy, Parts Two and Three T 9/16: Percy, finish W 9/17 at 10 pm: Percy close reading due

Urban Countercultures F 9/19: Pynchon, Crying of Lot 49 (1965), Chs -13; Rec: Foucault, Lynch and Castells T 9/23 (Brandeis Thursday): No class F 9/26 (Rosh Hashanah): No class T 9/30: Pynchon, Chs 4-5 F 10/3: Pynchon, finish Su 10/5 at 10 pm: Pynchon close reading due T 10/7: Maupin, Tales of the City (1978), pp. 1-132 (“Taking the Plunge” through “Hillary's Room”) F 10/10: Maupin, pp. 133-267 (“Breakfast in Bed” through “trick or Treat in Suburbia”) T 10/14: finish Maupin F 10/17: paper workshop T 10/21: paper 1 due. In class: urban theory exercise

Violence and the Street F 10/24: Ellis, American Psycho (1991), pp. 1-142; Rec: Foucault and Harvey T 10/28: Ellis, pp. 143-300 F 10/31: Ellis, finish Su 11/2 at 10 pm: Ellis close reading due T 11/4: Tobar, Tattooed Soldier (1998), Chs 1-7; Rec: Wilson and Davis F 11/7: Tobar, Chs 8-12 T 11/11 (Veterans Day): finish Tobar W 11/12 at 10 pm: Tobar close reading due

World Cities F 11/14: Adichie, Americanah (2013), Chs 1-16; Rec: Sassen and Soja T 11/18: Adichie, Chs 17-35 F 11/21: Adichie, finish Su 11/23 at 10 pm: Adichie close reading due T 11/25: Chang-Rae Lee, On Such a Full Sea (2014), pp. 1-125 F 11/28 (Thanksgiving): No class T 12/2: Lee, pp. 126-238 F 12/5: Lee, finish. Last day

Final essay due 12/9: Paper due