Fictions of Authority
This colloquium, titled Fictions of Authority, is both an
introduction to the study of literature & an investigation of the
nature of the acts of reading & writing. The course is intended
to challenge prevalent notions of fact & fiction, of author &
authority.
Participants in this course will work on improving their skills as
critical readers & as effective writers while reflecting on
questions of knowledge, power, & what it means to read &
write.
- Divided into three sections --
- (1) The Question of Authority?
- (2) The Authority of Fiction
- (3) Dubious reading matters
- -- the course itself is meant to function as a text to be
examined, as a "fiction of authority."
Writings
Students will practice two genres of writing: (1) protocols --
brief, exploratory response papers due frequently throughout the
semester; (2) three formal, argumentative essays on which grades will
largely be based. The latter must be typed (double-spaced) &
submitted on the date due -- late papers will be lowered one letter
grade. In addition, students will form groups responsible for a brief
presentation & for leading subsequent discussion during one class
period; & of course all students are responsible for completing
each reading assignment on time & participating in class
discussions throughout the semester.
- Readings
- The Figure in the Carpet Henry Jameso
- The Conjure Woman Charles Chesnutto
- Storyteller Leslie Marmon Silkoo
- Chronicle of a Death Foretold Gabriel García
Márquezo
- Flight to Canada Ishmael Reedo
- If on a winter's night a traveler Italo Calvinoo
How to Participate in Fictions of Authority
- In many ways, this course is precisely about participation. It
requires that students get involved in the processes of making
sense of the texts we read (both in class & out), that
students prepare themselves to participate in the making of
meaning. As we attempt various approaches to different sorts of
literature, we should keep in mind the above words of Emerson
regarding its use. Here are some guidelines to ensure your
participation in the study of (& provident use of) literature:
- 1. Come to class intent on learning; do all the readings; take
part in discussions.
- 2. Read carefully: engage the material, question definitions
& assumptions, attend to details, develop an interpretation
that addresses & explains the significance of the details,
question your interpretation.
- 3. If you don't understand something, ask -- then listen,
think, respond, think, write, write in order to think, think some
more, write some more, ask some more questions, think some more. .
. .
- 4. In writing assigned essays, attempt both to develop your
thinking further & to convey your argument effectively. Write
as many drafts as you can, read your work critically, &
discuss it with others (tutors, peers, me.)
-
-
- Calendar:
-
- 6 Feb. Introduction
8 Feb. The Figure in the Carpet
13 Feb. The Figure in the Carpet
15 Feb. The Figure in the Carpet
20 Feb. The Yellow Wall-paper
22 Feb. Discussion of writing
27 Feb. Essay Drafts
1 March Essay Drafts
6 March The Conjure Woman
8 March The Conjure Woman
9 March essay due
13 March Storyteller
15 March group presentation
20 March Chronicle of a Death . . .
22 March group presentation
Spring Break
3 April Essay Drafts
5 April Essay Drafts
10 April Flight to Canada
12 April group presentation
13 April essay due
17 April If on a winter's night . . .
19 April group presentation
24 April If on a winter's night . . .
26 April group presentation
1 May Other Reading: Paintings
3 May Other Reading: Place
8 May Essay Drafts
10 May Essay Drafts, Evaluations
Notes
- Essay Drafts
- These days will be devoted to working on students' rough
drafts for formal papers. Students are required to submit complete
drafts no later than the Monday morning before drafts are
to be discussed in class (26 Feb., 2 April, 7 May).
- Group Presentation
- Each student will participate in a group of 3 or 4, which
group will be responsible for: 1) a presentation of 20-30 minutes
aimed at helping us better understand the text in question; 2)
subsequent discussion of their presentation and its relation to
the text.
- Final Essay
- due 15 May