TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE
Term 1, 2016-2017
Department of English
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
ENGE 1610 Introduction to Literature
Prof. Li Ou
Room 303, Fung King Hey Building
Tel: 3943 7003
E-mail: [email protected]
(To be updated)
ENGE 1610 Introduction to Literature
This course will introduce students to methods of reading literary texts from the major genres of
fiction, poetry, and drama. It will illustrate basic literary terms and concepts, and closely study a variety
of literary texts written in different times and countries. The emphasis will be on close reading,
analysing how the meaning of a literary text is informed by its formal elements and literary conventions.
At the same time, the course will also give students an awareness of the interaction between text and
context, creative writing and critical reception, and the inheritance and transformation of literary
tradition.
Content, highlighting fundamental concepts
Topic
Contents/fundamental concepts
Introduction to literature
- definition of ‘literature’
- issue of ‘canon’
- reading literature
- plot, theme
- character, point of view
- setting, style, symbol
- text and context
- poetic meaning: speaker, subject/situation, tone
- poetic language: diction, syntax, imagery, figurative
language
- poetic sound: metre, rhyme
- poetic form: stanza forms, sonnet, free verse
- dramatic elements
- stage properties
- speech and dialogue
- tragedy and comedy
Fiction
Poetry
Drama
Learning outcomes
After taking the course, students are expected to be able to:
- read literary texts closely;
- interpret literary texts open-mindedly;
- have a basic understanding of the literary terms and concepts learned in the course;
- develop an enjoyment of literature which will continue beyond the classroom.
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Learning activities
Lecture
2 (hr)
in class
Interactive tutorial
1 (hr)
in class
Assessment scheme
Description
Weight
Attendance and participation
10%
Tutorial presentation
10%
Written Assignments
40%
Final exam
40%
Learning resources for students
Required Text
Booth, Allison and Kelly J. Mays. Eds. The Norton Introduction to Literature. Shorter 10th Edition. New
York: Norton, 2010.
Suggested further reading
Barnet, S., et al. An Introduction to Literature: Fiction, Poetry, Drama. New York: Longman, 2001.
Bate, J. Ed. The Oxford English Literary History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.
Frye, N., et al. The Harper Handbook to Literature. New York: Harper & Row, 1985.
Kennedy, X.J., & Gioia, D. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New York: Longman,
2000.
Peck, J., & Coyle, M. A Brief History of English Literature. Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2002.
LitWeb (https://wwnorton.com/litweb)
OED (https://easylogin1.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/login?url=http://www.oed.com)
Feedback for evaluation
Students are welcome to give feedback to the course at any time. They can do so by communicating to
me directly or by email, or talking to TAs, or posting comments and questions to the CU forum.
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Course schedule
Week Content
1
Introduction:
defining literature;
reading literature
2
Fiction 1:
Plot; theme
3
Fiction 2:
Character; point of view
4
Fiction 3:
Setting; style, symbol
5
Fiction 4:
The whole text;
writing about literature
6
Poetry 1:
Poetic meaning:
speaker;
subject/situation, tone
7
Poetry 2:
Poetic
language:
diction,
syntax,
imagery, figurative
language
8
Poetry 3:
Poetic sound: rhythm, rhyme;
sonnet
9
Poetry 4:
Poetic form: stanza
forms,
free verse
10
Drama 1:
Dramatic elements
11
Drama 2:
Tragedy
12
Drama 3:
Comedy; dialogue
13
Drama 4:
Summary
Reading (page number in Norton, 10th edn)
Linda Brewer, ‘20/20’ (16)
Kate Chopin,
‘The Story of an Hour’ (353)
Ernest Hemingway,
‘Hills Like White Elephants’ (106)
David Updike,
‘Summer’
Grace Paley,
‘A Conversation with My Father’
Andrew Marvell,
‘To His Coy Mistress’ (713);
John Keats, ‘To Autumn’ (1034);
Archibald MacLeish, ‘Ars Poetica’ (830)
Seamus Heaney,
‘Clearances IV’, ‘Requiem for the Croppies’
T. S. Eliot,
‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ (1015)
Sophocles,
Oedipus the King (ll.1-741)(1711)
Sophocles,
Oedipus the King (ll.742-end) (1711)
Oscar Wilde,
The Importance of Being Earnest (Act I, II)
Oscar Wilde,
The Importance of Being Earnest (Act III)
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Teachers’ or TA’s contact details
Professor/Lecturer/Instructor:
Name:
Office Location:
Telephone:
Email:
Teaching Venue:
Website:
Other information:
Li Ou
Rm 303, FKH Bld
3943 7003
[email protected]
Teaching Assistant/Tutor:
Name:
Office Location:
Telephone:
Email:
Teaching Venue:
Website:
Other information:
A facility for posting course announcements
Relevant announcements and course documents (e.g. lecture ppt, reading/written assignments, tutorial
questions, etc.) will be posted regularly on CU Forum.
Academic honesty and plagiarism
A soft copy of the written assignments must be uploaded to the VERIGUIDE at the
URL: https://academic.veriguide.org/academic/login_CUHK.jspx
The system will issue a receipt which contains a declaration of honesty. The declaration should be
signed and stapled to the hard copy of the assignment to be handed in. Assignments without the
receipt will NOT be graded.
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