The Vietnam War in American Literature and Culture

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The Vietnam War in American Literature and Culture

Tentative Syllabus Images and Narratives of War: Vietnam and Iraq Fall 2007 01:050:305 Instructor: Professor Barnett ([email protected]) Office: RAB 205C [email protected] 732-932-4254 Course Objectives To examine a number of texts, fiction and nonfiction, that reveal the impact of the Vietnam War on individuals and on American culture, and to compare the Vietnam War with the present war in Iraq. List of Required Readings William Calley, Lt. Calley, His Own Story [as told to John Sack] e-reserve Alex Garland, The Beach Graham Greene, The Quiet American James Webb, Fields of Fire James Janko, Buffalo Boy and Geronimo Tim O’Brien, The Things They Carried Stewart O’Nan, The Names of the Dead Tobias Wolff, In Pharaoh’s Army We will also see several documentary films on Iraq, including Iraq in Fragments, and read some essays and book chapters on Iraq, available on e-reserve. We will also read some excerpts from What Was Asked of Us, a collection of statements by American veterans of the Iraq War Requirements Full participation in the class, beginning with attendance, followed by reading assignments on time, contributing to class discussion, and handing in written work on time. There will be two 5 page papers and two examinations. Prolonged absence will make it impossible to receive credit for the course. Cell phones must be turned off during class. Leaving and returning to the classroom while class is in session is an unacceptable disruption and will be penalized under the evaluative category of classwork. Should exceptional circumstances require your leaving a class early, please let me know at the beginning of the class or sooner. Students are expected to adhere to the Academic Integrity policy of Rutgers University at all times. Evaluation Classwork and attendance 10% Paper 1 20 Paper 2 25 Exam 1 20 Exam 2 25 September .

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Literary War Journalism: Framing and the Creation of Meaning J
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