Reading Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games Trilogy
a coursy by Ildikó Limpár
Week 1 (September 18): Introduction
Week 2 (September 25):
The Hunger Games, Part I. (Chapters 1-9): “The Tributes”
Week 3 (October 2):
The Hunger Games, Part II. (Chapters 10-18): “The Games”
Week 4 (October 9):
The Hunger Games, Part III. (Chapters 19-27): “The Victor”
Week 5 (October 16):
Catching Fire, Part I. (Chapters 1-9): “The Spark”
Weeks 6-7 (October 23, 30): AUTUMN BREAK
Week 8 (November 6):
Catching Fire, Part II. (Chapters 10-18): “The Quell”
Week 9 (November 13):
Catching Fire, Part III. (Chapters 19-27) “The Enemy”
Week 10 (November 20):
Mockingjay, Part I. (Chapters 1-9): “The Ashes”
Week 11 (November 27):
Mockingjay, Part II. (Chapters 10-18): “The Assault”
Week 12 (December 4):
Mockingjay, Part I. (Chapters 19-27 and Epilogue): “The Assassin”
Week 13 (December 11): Conclusions and evaluation
OBJECTIVES:

The aim of the course is to read and analyze Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games trilogy by using close
reading as the primary method. Speaking about the main themes as well as genre, character and narration
will be focused while identifying key sentences relating the examined issues. The written exercises are
designed to train students to become more conscious about significant details and to make them practice
scholarly paper writing by combining close reading and applying secondary literature.
CLASSWORK:

Active participation in class (three absences are allowed), reading the pieces to be discussed thoroughly
and coming to class prepared. Each week mark 5-10 sentences that relate to the topics I will give and that
you find of considerable importance.
WRITTEN WORK:

Handing in short written assignments and one essay. You may need to use the written assignments in
class, so I will collect them at the end of the class that they are due. Always bring typed and printed
documents. I do not accept hand written assignments. If for any reasons you cannot be present in the class
for which you have written your homework, you may hand it in without negative consequences on the
next occasion you attend the class (but no later than that).

The short assignments will always focus on close readings of selected sentences from the reading
material. Each week I will offer a number of topics for the short assignments. From these, you need to
select one topic, for which you need to find 2 important sentences from various chapters preferably. On 6
occasions, you need to hand in a homework that contains your selection of topic and your 2 chosen
sentences. The short assignments are divided into two groups: 2 briefer and 3 longer homeworks are
expected from you.
◦
Briefer: on two occassions (of your choice) you should only add one sentence for each sentence
from the novel, highlighting what aspect the sentences emphasize, why you think the sentences are of
special importance. (You will get “OK”, “OK+” or “OK-” for these. “OK-”s may modify negatively
the average mark of the brief tasks.)
◦ Longer: on the three other occassions (of your choice), you should explain more extensively (in
about half a page) what significance the two chosen sentences have in the novel. (You will get a
mark for each.)
◦ Many of the topics will be recurring ones. Make sure you you write about at least three various
topics during the course. (I will keep track of your selections.)

The essay: in one of the parts to be read, choose 1 (or 2 connected) sentence(s) that you especially
find important and explain their significances in more detail, in the form of a short scholarly essay.
(Obviously, you need not analyze one sentence for 4 pages but the issues it reflects on and how it
relates to them.) The essay should be 3-4 pages, double space, 12 pt., Times New Roman, normal margin
of cc. 2 cms. You need to use at least two pieces of scholarly secondary literature, properly cited.
(Preferred style is MLA.) Plagiarism is not tolerated and results in automatic failure. Do not forget to
cite your primary sources properly, too.

Important information on accessing texts and information: I will create a closed Facebook group so
as I may effectively share the reading material as well as the topics for the homework assignments each
week. You may also use this group for sharing information and discussing ideas relating to the seminar,
as well as uploading reading materials. In order to join the Facebook group, you need to mark me as
friend on FB. I will let you in the group. (Then you can “unfriend” me in case you don't really want to
meet me on FB – no offence :-) ).

Marking depends on: short written homework assignments and class work (50%) and the seminar paper
(50%).