Office Hours (W-6-027): MWF 8:30-9:30 & by Appointment

E 368: MWF 9:30 Fall/2007 Shaun O’Connell [email protected] Office hours (W-6-027): MWF 8:30-9:30 & by appointment http://www.litandwriting.umb.edu

MODERN AMERICAN FICTION

SEPT 5- 7 Introduction 10-14 James The Portrait of A Lady Q&C 1 17-21 James The Portrait of A Lady 24-28 James The Portrait of A Lady OCT 1- 5 Chopin The Awakening Q&C 2 8 COLUMBUS DAY 10-12 Chopin The Awakening

15-19 Wharton The Age of Innocence PAPER #1 DUE 22-26 Wharton The Age of Innocence Q&C 3 29-31 Review NOV 2 EXAM 5- 9 Cather A Lost Lady Q&C 4 12 VETERANS DAY 14- 16 Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby Q&C 5

19- 21 Hemingway The Sun Also Rises Q&C 6 23 THANKSGIVING RECESS

26- 30 Faulkner Absalom, Absalom! Q&C 7

DEC 3- 7 Faulkner Absalom, Absalom! PAPER #2 DUE 10- 14 Hurston Their Eyes Were Watching God Q&C 8

17- 21 FINAL EXAM PERIOD FINAL EXAM REQUIREMENTS

1) Attendance: no more than four cuts allowed. 2) Preparation (readings, quotes-and-comments) & Participation in class discussion. 3) Eight quotes-and-comments (Q&C 1-8). Select a quote from each work under discussion and comment briefly (one paragraph) on an aspect of its significance (such as style, theme, implications, etc); bring Q&C to class for discussion; post each Q&C on class website: http://www.litandwriting.umb.edu. 4) Mid-term Exam. 5) Two critical papers (four-five pages, 900-1,200 words): papers and responses must be passed in at due-dates. Papers should be double-spaced, 1” margins, 11 point font & proof read. 6) Take-home Final Exam. 7) Grading: Q&C (20%). Mid-term exam (20%). Two critical papers (40%). Final Exam (20%). Grade reduced by absences and lack of classroom preparation.

Note: the minimum penalty for academic dishonest in this course is a grade of F.

A study of significant works of American fiction written in the first half of the 20th century. Major American modernists -- James, Wharton, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Faulkner, Hurston and others -- will be discussed. Such writers define the "American century" and demonstrate the sustained achievement of modern American fiction.

James The Portrait of A Lady (1881) Penguin Chopin The Awakening & Selected Stories (1899) Penguin Wharton The Age of Innocence (1920) Penguin Cather A Lost Lady (1923) Vintage Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby (1925) Scribner Hemingway The Sun Also Rises (1926) Scribner Faulkner Absalom, Absalom! (1936) Vintage Hurston Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937) Perennial