English 3713 FA: Contemporary Canadian Literature Instructor: Dr. Douglas Ivison

Mondays & Wednesdays 1-2:30 pm ATAC 2005

Phone: 346-7825 email: [email protected] Office: RB 3038 Office Hours: Tuesdays 11-12; Wednesdays 3-4; and Thursdays 1-2

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course we will study recent Canadian fiction, focusing on five books published since 2000. We will explore issues such as gender, globalization, culture, the environment, urbanism, regionalism, the nation, history, identity, race, immigration, diaspora, the postcolonial, etc.

Required Texts

Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake (Vintage) , Through Black Spruce (Penguin) Dionne Brand, What We All Long For (Vintage) , The Antagonist (Anansi) Jeff Lemire, Collected Essex County (Top Shelf)

An additional text may be added once the lineup for the International Festival of Authors in Thunder Bay is confirmed.

Evaluation

Short Paper (750 words) 10% In-class essay 15% Final essay (2000 words) 25% Group Presentation 10% Participation 5% Final Examination 35%

COURSE GUIDELINES

Late penalty: Late papers will be accepted, but will receive a late penalty of 3 marks per day unless appropriate documentation (e.g. doctor’s note) is presented. No paper will be accepted more than two weeks late. If you know that you will have difficulty in meeting a deadline, please contact me before the essay is due.

Missed in-class essay: Failure to write the in-class essay in the scheduled class will result in a mark of 0, unless we have previously made alternate arrangements and/or appropriate documentation (e.g. a doctor’s note) is presented.

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Missed Group Presentation: Absence from your group presentation will result in a 50% penalty being deducted from your mark for the group presentation, unless your absence was unavoidable due to documented illness or other legitimate reason (in which case the penalty will be waived at my discretion). Group presentations will not be postponed except in exceptional circumstances.

Attendance: Attendance is not compulsory, and I will not be taking attendance, but you are responsible for all material covered in class, and are responsible for knowing about information re due dates, etc. that is given out in class. Absence from class is not an acceptable excuse for missing an assignment. Please note that the attached schedule is subject to change, and as a result due dates etc. may change. Poor attendance will obviously have a negative impact upon your participation mark.

Participation: This course is not intended to be a passive note-taking experience, but rather an interactive discussion of the material we’re reading. For that reason, a participation mark will be assigned. Your participation mark will reflect both the quality and quantity of your in-class participation.

Reading: You are required to read at least five books for this course. The final exam will require you to demonstrate knowledge of all texts studied in the course.

Texts: All five required texts are available in the bookstore. They should also be available at other bookstores and online stores. You are expected to purchase them and bring the appropriate book to each class. If an additional text is added, it will also be available through the bookstore.

Grades: Please consult the Department website for the Department’s Marking Standards (http://english.lakeheadu.ca/?display=page&pageid=26). In general, an average paper that meets but does not exceed the expectations for a third-year course will receive a mark in the 70s. In past offerings of this course, all students who completed all assignments received at least a passing grade.

Plagiarism: The presentation of another’s words or ideas as your own. All cases of plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct will be reported to the Department Chair and the Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Dean will determine what penalty (if any) will be applied. For more information, please refer to the Code of Student Behaviour and Disciplinary Procedures (http://policies.lakeheadu.ca/policy.php?pid=60).

Assignments:

Short Paper: Due Wednesday,Sept. 30. You will be asked to write a 750-word paper on What We All Long For. You will be given more information about the assignment in class on Monday, Sept. 21.

In-class essay: Monday, Oct. 19. You will be asked to write an essay on Through Black Spruce. You will have the entire class to write your essay, and the questions will be distributed in class on Monday, Oct. 5.

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Final essay: Due Wednesday, Nov. 25. You will be given the assignment in class on Wednesday, Oct. 21. You will be asked to write a 2000-word research essay.

Group Presentation: There will be 4 groups of approximately 4-5 students each. Each group will present a 20-minute presentation on topics to be determined. The presentations will occur on Nov. 30 and Dec. 2. More information about the assignment will be distributed in class on Monday, Oct. 5, and groups will also be formed on that day.

Final examination: This will cover all texts and material covered in class. Please note that the exam period is from December 9-20, and the exam can be scheduled anytime during this period. Don’t make plans during this exam period, as your exam will not be rescheduled unless there are exceptional circumstances.

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English 3713 FA: Contemporary Canadian Literature Dr. Douglas Ivison

Tentative Schedule (subject to change)

Monday, Sept. 14: Introduction to Course Wednesday, Sept. 16: Canadian Literature in the 21st century

Monday, Sept. 21: What We All Long For Wednesday, Sept. 23: What We All Long For

Monday, Sept. 28: What We All Long For Wednesday, Sept. 30: Through Black Spruce Sept. 30 DUE: Short Paper

Monday, Oct. 5: Through Black Spruce Wednesday, Oct. 7: Through Black Spruce

Monday, Oct. 12: THANKSGIVING – NO CLASS Wednesday, Oct. 14: Essay Writing

Monday, Oct. 19: IN-CLASS ESSAY Wednesday, Oct. 21: Oryx and Crake

Monday, Oct. 26: Oryx and Crake Wednesday, Oct. 28: Oryx and Crake

Monday, Nov. 2: To be determined Wednesday, Nov. 4: To be determined Friday, Nov. 6: Final Day for Withdrawal (without academic penalty)

Monday, Nov. 9: Group Presentation Meetings Wednesday, Nov. 11: The Antagonist

Monday, Nov. 16: The Antagonist Wednesday, Nov. 18: The Antagonist

Monday, Nov. 23: Essex County Wednesday, Nov. 25: Essex County NOV. 25: DUE Final Essay

Monday, Nov. 30: Group Presentations Wednesday, Dec. 2: Group Presentations

Monday, Dec. 7: Review

EXAM PERIOD: December 9-20