Modern European Novel F08

Modern European Novel: Authoring the Experimental Self

René Magritte, Le Fils de l'homme (The Son of Man), Oil on Canvas, private collection, New York, 1964

ENLT 376-01 (11513), MW 11:30-12:45 in UN 2046
http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/novel08.html
<http://english.montclair.edu>

Prof. Wendy Nielsen, Dickson Hall 352
Office Hours: M 4-5:30, W 10-11:30, & by appt. in 352 DI
Email: nielsenw@mail . . .

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

Andre Breton, Nadja (Grove)
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: The title of this course is “The Modern European Novel: Authoring the Experimental Self.” Before it was known as World War I, the so-called Great War left writers, thinkers, and individuals reeling from uncertainty, doubt, and fear. The great Modernist novels written between 1910 and 1930 thus depict a common struggle across Europe: to self-author an “experimental self” free from traditional trappings. 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), 3 (genre), 4a (multinational), and 4d (gender 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. 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 evaluated on a check (average, show you did the reading), check plus (insightful, original, possibly brilliant, probably shared during class), or check minus (you didn't do the reading or simply copied questions discussed in class) basis. Discussion questions are not mandatory but are taken into consideration for your Participation Grade. Late discussion questions cannot be accepted, but you may include these in an optional Participation Packet at the end of the semester.

#3: In-class Midterm (Unit I)--25%: No make-up dates!

#4: Journal Portfolio (critical intro., 5 originals + at least 1 revision that highlights your editing skills)--20%: 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 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., 5 originals + at least 1 revision that highlights your editing skills. 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 5 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; 5) Any late Journals. Please simply staple everything together, or use a binder clip. No cover pages, please.

#5: Research Report on "My Modernism" (incl. mandatory proof of draft work)--20%

#6: In-class Final Exam (mostly on Unit II)--25%: 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).

Tentative schedule subject to change; please check your Montclair email and <http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/novel08.html> for updates

Date	Class Activities	Homework Due
1. W 9/3	Course + stud. intro.; What is the novel? Modernity In-class writing: Class? Timeline; Close Reading Exercise	Monday's reading assignment is in the cell below
Unit I: Modern Individuals
M 9/8	Review; Dostoevsky Bio, Discussion Questions, & Close Interpretation	Dostoevsky 1-64 [through Part 1, Ch. VI]; DISC. Ques. #1: Bring 3 discussion ques. to class; these will be collected (see above)
3. W 9/10	Review; Social Utopianism and Nihilism	Dostoevsky 64-111 [through Pt. 2, Ch. III];
M 9/15	Review; Character Sketch	Dostoevsky 111-65 [through Pt. 2, Ch. VII]; JOURNAL #1: bring a hard copy for the instructor and post to Blackboard/Discussion Board (see above)
5. W 9/17	Review; Close Reading Exercise; Utilitarianism and the Woman Question	Dostoevsky 166-227 [through Pt. 3, ch. 5]
M 9/22	Party Game; Directed Questions; Journals and Def. of Close Reading	Dostoevsky 227-80 [through Pt. 4, ch. 4]
7. W 9/24	Dostoevsky as Drama	Dostoevsky 280-330 [through Pt. 5, ch. 2]; DISC. #2
M 9/29	Review; Keywords in C&P; Vocab.; My Modernism assigned	Dostoevsky 330-90 [through Pt. 6, ch. 2]
9. W 10/1	Review; Raskolnikov on Trial	Dostoevsky 390-65 [finish]; JOURNAL #2: bring a hard copy for the instructor and post to Blackboard/Discussion Board (see above)
M 10/6	Hermann Hesse; Realism	Hesse 1-66; DISC. #3
11. W 10/8	Review; Suicide; Modernism; Dada, Surrealism, and Existentialism	Hesse 66-102
M 10/13	Review; Images from the novel; Who are Hermine and Pablo?; Structural elements in Steppenwolf; War?; Dancing and Sexuality	Hesse 102-58; JOURNAL #3: bring a hard copy for the instructor and post to Blackboard/Discussion Board (see above)
13. W 10/15	Names; Group Discussion: Immortals, Mozart, and the Magic Theater	Hesse 158-end
M 10/20	End of novel; Midterm Review	Bring Dostoevsky and Hesse to class; prepare notes for exam ques.
15. W 10/22	Midterm--No make-up dates--Be there or be out of luck!	Study for midterm; Bring books (open-book exam)
Unit II: Experimental Voices
M 10/27	Kafka's The Trial	Kafka 1-79; DISC. #4
17. W 10/29	NEW: Reserach for My Modernism: Meet in Sprague Lib. Rm. 203	Kafka 80-110
M 11/3	Review; Authority and Gender in Kafka	Kafka 111-65
19. W 11/5	Review; Kafka's The Trial	Kafka 165-98; JOURNAL #4: bring a hard copy for the instructor and post to Blackboard/Discussion Board (see above)
M 11/10	Kafka's The Trial; Breton Bio; Surrealism and Breton; Surrealist Manifesto; Second Manifesto; Ques. about Manifesto	Kafka 199-266; Read the Surrealist Manifesto and skim the Second Manifesto
21. W 11/12	Writing Workshop--Meet in DI 280 @ 11:40	Rough Draft of My Modernism due
M 11/17	Research Report: My Modernism discussion	Hard copy of My Modernism due; Bring cue cards and/or visuals to present research
23. W 11/19	Surrealism; Breton's Nadja; Translations	Breton 1-94; DISC. #5
M 11/24	Review of last week; Breton's Nadja	Breton 94-160;
25. W 11/26	Review; Kundera and the Novel: Biography and Existential Codes	Kundera 1-78; JOURNAL #5: On either Breton or Kundera
M 12/1	Timeline; Prague Spring; Your Questions; Love, Death, and Kundera; Socialist Realism	Kundera 81-171; DISC. #6
27. W 12/3	Unbearable, Oedipus, and Narration	Kundera 175-240
M 12/8	Free Write: ULB?; Final assigned; Course summation	Kundera 243 - end; Journal Portfolio due; Optional: Staple/clip old and/or new discussion questions and submit (separately from the Journal Portfolio) as a Participation Packet
Finals week	In-class Final Exam M 12/15 1-3pm	Study for final exam; Bring books (open-book exam)