Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Disunited States in the American Novel
Module Code	EN335
School	SALIS
Online Module Resources
Module Teacher	Brian Duffy
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the contemporary American novel. Students will develop their literary textual analytical skills through the detailed study of contrasting narrative prose techniques. The module also investigates the literary representation of key social, cultural, ideological and economic changes and trends in late twentieth-century American society. Students will also develop skills in argumentation and communication in oral and written form, and in applying precise critical and stylistic terminology in the description and analysis of narrative prose fiction. These skills will be developed through: (i) subjecting literary texts to systematic close readings, initially by students preparing the text for tutorials; (ii) students participation in discussion of textual analysis in weekly tutorials; (iii) students in-class presentation of their analysis of passages of narrative prose texts.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the important themes in novels by contemporary American novelists.
2. Compare and contrast the distinguishing narrative discursive features of the contemporary American novel.
3. Apply precise critical and stylistic terminology in the description and analysis of narrative prose fiction.
4. Demonstrate skills of effective argument and communication in oral and written form.
5. Demonstrate skills of evaluation and synthesis in the application of critical secondary literature of prose fiction.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Tutorial	24	Analysis and discussion of literary texts.
Independent learning	71	Tutorial preparation: close reading of literary texts.
Assignment	30	Reading of texts, and planning and writing of essay.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Novels.
Critical analysis of contemporary American fiction..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Presentation	Critical analysis of passage(s) of narrative prose fiction.	25%	Once per semester
Essay	Discussion of thematic and/or formal aspect(s) of literary texts.	75%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Essential text: Philip Roth: 2005, American Pastoral, Paperback, Vintage, London,
Essential text: Richard Yates: 2007, Revolutionary Road, Vintage, London, 9780099518624
John Updike,: 0, Rabbit, Run, 9780141187839
David Brauner: 2007, Philip Roth, Manchester Univ Press,
Harold Bloom (editor): 2003, Philip Roth: Modern Critical Views, Revised edition, Chelsea House,
Elaine B. Safer: 2006, Mocking the Age: The Later Novels of Philip Roth, State Univ of New York Press,
Stephen Milowitz: 2000, Philip Roth Considered: The Concentrationary Universe of the American Writer, Garland Press,
Jay L. Halio, and Ben Siegel: 2005, Turning Up the Flame: Philip Roth's Later Novels, Univ of Delaware Press,
David Castronovo and Steven Goldleaf: 0, Richard Yates, Twayne, New York, 0805740317
Robert Detweiler: 1984, John Updike, Twayne,
James Plath: 1994, Converstaions with John Updike, University Press of Mississippi,
James Schiff: 1998, John Updike Revisited, Twayne,