Mod. Euro. Novel Fall 2010

Modern European Novel (Fall 2010)

Wendy C. Nielsen, Ph.D.

M 11:30-12:45PM in UN 2013 and Wednesdays online on Blackboard and Elluminate. This is a hybrid course, meaning it is conducted both in-person and online. Please consult the syllabus and Blackboard for dates and instructions regarding online meetings.
http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/men10.html
<http://english.montclair.edu>

Prof. Wendy Nielsen
Office Hours: drop in M 2:30-5:30, & by appt. in Dickson Hall 352.
Email: nielsenw@mail . . .

Texts available at University Bookstore (all of the following are required):

Andre Breton, Nadja (Grove)
F. Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment (Norton Critical Ed., 1989, trans. Coulson, ISBN: 0393956237)
Hermann Hesse, Steppenwolf: a Novel (Picador)
Franz Kafka, The Trial (Schocken, 1999 edition: ISBN: 0805209999)
Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Perennial)

Other required readings are posted on Blackboard: http://blackboard.montclair.edu/

Course description: How can one challenge past traditions and conventions and still retain a sense of self? Yet what is so wrong with modern life that the tyrannies of the past--bourgeois family, gender inequality, and oppressive laws--still seem to haunt the present? During the so-called Modernist period--ca. 1910 to 1930--writers and intellectuals pondered these same questions, ones that we still consider today. In five notable novels, we will read and discuss characters who find themselves caught between things—between two world wars, between individualism and society, between male and female identity, between national borders, and between desire and reason. Students will leave this course with a profound appreciation for the ways in which the novel has evolved from 1866 to 1984. In order to understand the past and future of Modernist novelists (Hesse, Breton, and Kafka), we will read a predecessor (Dostoevsky) and a successor (Kundera). Satisfies: 1c (other literature)/TE 1d, 3/TE 3c (genre/novel), 4a (multinational), and 4e (class studies); General Humanities major “Comparative Literature” requirement.

Requirements: Click here to get an explanation of my shorthand on Style issues, and my criteria for grading: http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/correction.html

#1:The Spirit of a Democratic Classroom: Respect, Collegiality, and Integrity

#2: Participation (incl. regular attendance, contribution to class discussion, discussion questions, peer review)--10%:

Attendance policy: Students must attend a majority of class sessions in order to pass the class; long-term and repeated absences are unacceptable. Your first 3 absences are automatically excused and need no explanation please. Beyond that, you will need a note from your physician or the Dean of Students in order to excuse an absence for medical reasons or family death. Attendance is a part of your Participation Grade, which is also determined by your active and enthusiastic participation in class discussions; original and thought-provoking discussion questions; and informal writing assignments. For our online class meetings, you must complete all assigned online activities no later than 12:45pm on Wednesdays unless otherwise indicated in order for your attendance to count. Please make a friend in class to cover material missed while absent.

Discussion questions (called DISC. below) must be ORIGINAL and include either ones you would pose as an instructor of the class, things you are confused about in the reading, or a mix between the two. The purpose of discussion questions is to open a dialogue between you and me; to make this a student-centered classroom; and to help students become better writers by becoming critical thinkers, or people who question what they read. Discussion questions are not evaluated, are not mandatory, but are taken into consideration for your Participation Grade. Please bring a copy of your discussion questions to class so that you can reference them in discussion. However, I will look at them on Blackboard/Discussion Board. Please feel free to respond to other students' queries if you feel inspired to answer; I will take such responses as extra credit for your Participation Grade (and enjoy reading them, of course). You may print up and re-present your Discussion Questions in an optional Participation Packet at the end of the semester if you'd like to remind me of your hard work.

#3: Close-reading Essay: Gender in Two Modern European Novels (Dostoevsky, Hesse, and/or Kafka)--30% (Assignment TBA)

#4: Journal Portfolio (critical intro., 5-6 originals + at least 1 revision that highlights your editing skills, and all original journals with my comments on them)--30%: Students will write at least one entry for nearly every text we read. Each entry begins with any key passage from the work. After copying this passage, write a 1-2 page (250-400 word) analysis. You are encouraged to use these entries as an opportunity to develop skills in close analysis and to track key themes, techniques, or issues in a literary text. Journals are not graded until they are presented in a revised Journal Portfolio (see below). Bring a copy to class--the only copy which I will read and comment on--and post your response to Blackboard/Discussion as well, so that other students can learn from your work. Owing to scheduling difficulties, I am afraid I am NOT able to read late journal entries, although I do expect to see them in the final Portfolio. I will NOT accept emailed journal entries. If you cannot attend class, I suggest you ask a fellow participant to bring your hard copy to class. If you are unable to turn in your journal on time, I suggest you ask a fellow student to read and evaluate the work-in-progress.

The final Journal Portfolio includes a critical intro., your TOP 5 entries + at least 1 revision that highlights your editing skills, and all originals you submitted with my comments on them. If you wish to submit all 6 assigned journals, you may. The cover letter should self-evaluate your own Journals and address the following questions: How have these writing exercises aided your thinking this semester? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your journals? What is your best journal entry, and why? What grade would you give yourself for this assignment? Consider the following guidelines in averaging your grade:

Check = Fine/Good/Very Good (79-88 range): Shows fine understanding of themes and issues in the book. Provides a summary that may need some revision, such as articulating the reader’s position and argument, providing support for assertions, and writing in an academic style.
Check plus = Very Good/Great/Excellent (89-100 range): Shows excellent understanding of the material. Provides a clear and an original analysis that articulates the reader’s position. Needs very little or no revision.
Check minus = Unsatisfactory/Okay (0-78 range): Shows poor understanding of the material. Provides an unclear summary or analysis. Needs a lot of revision in terms of clarity and/or style.

Although you are only required to revise one journal entry, if you revise others, I will reevaluate them. Immediately following the cover letter, place your mandatory revised journal, any other revised journals, and all original journals. You should also include any journals that you’re handing in late. Here’s a final list of everything you should include the following in this order: 1) Cover letter; 2) Mandatory revised journal; 3) Any other revised journals; 4) Original Journals with my comments on them; 5) Any late Journals. Please simply staple everything together, or use a binder clip. No cover pages, please. If you want to submit all six assigned journal entries, I'll score the top five.

#5: In-class Final Exam (mostly on Breton and Kundera, but incl. cumulative knowledge about the modern novel)--30%: No make-up dates!

Policies:

Turn off and put away cell phones, blackberries, and related electronics. Absolutely NO TEXTING or talking on handheld devices ANYTIME in class, including breaks and before class. Laptops should be used to write lecture notes only (not IM'ing, poker playing, etc.). If these policies cannot be followed, you will be asked to leave.
Papers should be no longer or shorter than the length assigned and should be submitted on time as stapled hard copies (no cover pages, loose pages, or folders please). 2 points are deducted from formal writing projects for every class day they are late. With the exception of journals and discussion questions, double space and use twelve-point type, in Times New Roman or CG Times (or 10 pt. in Veranda, etc.).
To teach students to avoid plagiarism, lectures will also include instruction in MLA documentation of all work. This course engages in questions of authorship, including web authorship (http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/web.html). Submitting work and words that are not your own will result in failing this course and disciplinary action by the Dean of Students. You can see my entire FAQ on plagiarism here: http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/citation.html
Accommodations are always arranged for students with documented disabilities. Please call, email, or see the instructor personally, as well as Services for Students with Disabilities (Linda A. Smith in Morehead Hall 305, X5431).
Please note that I do not discuss grades via email.

Tentative schedule subject to change; please check your Montclair email and <http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/men10.html> for updates

Date	Class Activities	Homework Due
W 9/8 online	See Bb for instructions: Course + stud. intro.; What is the novel? In-class writing on Modernity; Timeline; Close Reading Exercise	Monday's reading assignment is in the cell below
M 9/13	Dostoevsky Bio, Discussion Questions, & Close Interpretation; Personae assigned	Dostoevsky 1-53 [through Part 1, Ch. V]; DISC. #1: Post 1 or more discussion questions about Dostoevsky on Blackboard/Discussion Forum/Dostoevsky, and bring a copy to class. These questions might include ones you would pose as an instructor of the class, things you are confused about in the reading, or a mix between the two. The purpose of discussion questions is to open a dialogue between you and me; to make this a student-centered classroom; and to help students become better writers by becoming critical thinkers, or people who question what they read. Discussion questions are not evaluated, are not mandatory, but are taken into consideration for your Participation Grade. Please feel free to respond to other students' queries if you feel inspired to answer; I will take such responses as extra credit for your Participation Grade (and enjoy reading them, of course).
W 9/15 online	See Bb for instructions: Review; Social Utopianism and Nihilism; Journals and Def. of Close Reading	Dostoevsky 54-131 [through Pt. 2, Ch. VI]; Post a blog entry about your favorite passage so far in Crime and Punishment; consider this rough draft work for your journal entry due next class
M 9/20	Character Sketch; Personae assigned	Dostoevsky 131-77 [through Pt. 3, Ch. II]; JOURNAL #1 (Doestoevsky 1): Write 1-2 pages (250-400 words) on a passage from Crime and Punishment (see assignment in Requirements section). You might focus your interpretation of a specific passage by answering one of your own or another student's interpretive questions from a previous class, or reflecting on a broader thematic issue supported by your close analysis of the text. Although each individual journal is not graded, I expect you to complete at least 5 of the 6 assigned journal entries, which will be graded when they are presented in a revised Journal Portfolio. Bring a copy to class (will be collected for instructor's feedback) and post your response to Blackboard/Discussion as well. I will NOT accept emailed journal entries. If you cannot attend class, I suggest you ask a fellow participant to bring your hard copy to class.
W 9/22 online	See Bb for instructions; Review; The Woman Question, Crime, and Philosophical Reasons for Murder; Directed Questions	Dostoevsky 177-259 [through Pt. 3, ch. 2]
M 9/27	Party Game; Student Questions; Close Reading Exercise;	Dostoevsky 259-319 [through Pt. 5, ch. 2]; DISC. #2: Write 1 or more orig. discussion ques.: bring a copy for yourself to discuss in class, and post them to Blackboard/Discussion Board.
W 9/29 online	See Bb for instructions; Dostoevsky as Drama	Dostoevsky 319-399 [through Pt. 5, ch. 3]; Post a blog entry about your favorite passage so far in Crime and Punishment; consider this rough draft work for your journal entry due next class
M 10/4	Review; Keywords in C&P; Vocab.;	Dostoevsky 399-465 [through end]; JOURNAL #2 (Dostoevsky 2): Bring a hard copy for instructor and post to Bb
W 10/6 online	See Bb for instructions; Middle Class? Hermann Hesse; Realism	Hesse 1-66
M 10/11	Suffering?; Suicide; Modernism; Dada, Surrealism, and Existentialism	Hesse 66-102; DISC. #3: Write 1 or more orig. discussion ques.: bring a copy for yourself to discuss in class, and post them to Blackboard/Discussion Board.
W 10/13 online	See Bb for instructions; Review; Images from the novel; Who are Hermine and Pablo?; Structural elements in Steppenwolf; War?; Dancing and Sexuality	Hesse 102-58; Post a blog entry about your favorite passage so far in Steppenwolf in your own voice or that of your persona; consider this rough draft work for your journal entry due next class
M 10/18	Names; Group Discussion: Immortals, Mozart, and the Magic Theater	Hesse 158-end; JOURNAL #3 (Hesse): Write a close analysis in your own voice or that of your persona; bring a hard copy for instructor and post to Bb
W 10/20 online	See Bb for instructions; Kafka's The Trial	Kafka 1-79; Post a blog entry about your favorite passage so far in The Trial in your own voice or that of your persona
M 10/25	Review; Authority and Gender in Kafka	Kafka 80-165; JOURNAL #4 (Kafka): Write a close analysis in your own voice or that of your persona; Bring a hard copy for instructor and post to Bb
W 10/27 online	See Bb for instructions; Parables; Characteristics of Mod. Euro. Novel	Kafka 166-224; DISC. #4: Write 1 or more discussion ques.: bring a copy for yourself to discuss in class, and post them to Blackboard/Discussion Board.
M 11/1	End of Kafka's The Trial; Paper proposals	Kafka 225-266; Post your paper proposal on Blackboard/Discussion Board
W 11/3 online	See Bb for instructions; Peer Review	Post your draft on Blackboard/Discussion Board
M 11/8	Surrealist movies	Close-reading Essay on Two Modern European Novels due as a hard copy and on Bb/SafeAssign
W 11/10 online	See Bb for instructions; Breton Bio; Surrealism and Breton; Surrealist Manifesto; Second Manifesto; Ques. about Manifesto	Read the Surrealist Manifesto and skim the Second Manifesto; read Breton 11-27; Post a blog entry about your favorite passage so far in the Manifesto or Nadja in your own voice or that of your persona
M 11/15	Review; Surrealism; Breton's Nadja; Translations	Breton 27-108; JOURNAL #5 (Breton): bring a hard copy for the instructor and post to Blackboard/Discussion Board
W 11/17 online	See Bb for instructions; Breton's Nadja; Refl. on the Mod. Euro. Novel	Breton 108-60; DISC. #5: Write 1 or more discussion ques.: bring a copy for yourself to discuss in class, and post them to Blackboard/Discussion Board.
M 11/22	Kundera and the Novel: Biography and Existential Codes	Kundera 1-82 (Pt I and II); DISC. #6: Write 1 or more discussion ques.: bring a copy for yourself to discuss in class, and post them to Blackboard/Discussion Board.
W 11/24 online	Reading Day	Read ahead
M 11/29	Review; Timeline; Prague Spring Kundera; Socialist Realism	Kundera 85-138 (Pt III)
W 12/1 online	See Bb for instructions; Unbearable Lightness of Being	Kundera 141- 202 (through Pt V, ch. 5); JOURNAL #6 (Kundera): Post to Blackboard/Discussion Board in your own voice or that of your persona
M 12/6	Review (Bb); Kitsch; Misogyny; Narrative style	Kundera reading 203-83 (through Pt VI, ch. 16); Optional: Staple/clip old and/or new discussion questions and submit as a Participation Packet
W 12/8 online	See Bb for instructions; Unbearable, Oedipus, and Narration; Free Write: ULB?	Kundera reading 284-end (Pt. VI, ch. 17 to end)
M 12/13	Final review; Course summation Tips	Journal Portfolio due; bring copies of Hesse, Kafka, and Breton to class for review
M 12/20	Drop off final exam and pick up Journal Portfolios between 2-3 pm or 4-5 pm in 352 DI (or earlier--just put under door)	Take-home Final Exam (SafeAssign submission mandatory): Breton and Other Modernist Influences on Kundera