English 402 Syllabus

Spring 2014

English 402-01 Literature Capstone: Major Work

Murakami’s 1Q84

Dr. Gerald Majer Coop 1 (building below the Exchange, in the Meditation Center)

Office and Voice Mail: 443-334-2467

E-mail: gmajer@stevenson.edu

Office Hours: w 1:30-2:30; TTH 1:40-2:40; and by appointment

Course Description

Explores the aesthetic, cultural, and/or historical reasons for a text's valuation as a major work of art. Students select their own criteria for evaluating the text's status and integrate critical theory and secondary sources into their final analysis.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to

             solve a problem that requires the student to contribute to creating the context for the problem, to define the problem, and to effect its solution,

             synthesize suitable sources for a specific problem and a specific audience

            write with integrity and authority in the style and to the standards of selected professional or creative genres 

            produce a compelling message with highly credible supporting material and effective delivery techniques

            negotiate the complex interaction of textual values, personal values, and the values of others in order to solve a problem

             apply academic preparation to professional and cultural experiences beyond the classroom

evaluate academic and career choices based on self-determined goals and on a personal assessment of knowledge, skills, and interest.

Course Work Requirements:

50%

For your final project, 20 pp. (6000 words or equivalent), a sustained critical article on Murakami’s 1Q84.

25% 

12 500 word (minimum) reading/research summaries and syntheses exploring topics, to be presented in class sessions as designated.  In the first half, these will be on assigned topics; in the second, they will be focused on your final project topic.

15 %

Class participation and contributions. 

10%

A public reading/presentation of your critical article, 20 minutes in length.

Class Policy:

* If you expect to miss class meetings, you should not be in this class because the heart of it is the ongoing process of cross-fertilization of ideas and inspirations among members of the seminar group.  It’s all about collaboration, critique, and support, and that means everybody being involved consistently. 

*Because it is the capstone piece, your final project must be fully completed to pass this course.

                       

Text:

                        Murakami, Haruki.  1Q84.  (Vintage PB, 2013).

Weekly Assignments (see Schedule below):

All readings must be completed on time for the assigned session (earning participation/contribution points).

For each session until midterm, all students must present to the seminar a 500 words minimum summary/synthesis on the assigned Research Topic for the session.  For each session after midterm, all students must present to the seminar 500 words minimum summary/synthesis on the individual Final Project Research Topic  

English 403-01 Schedule 

1/13    Discussion of 1Q84 to Book II, Chapter 13: Techniques, Elements, Themes.

            Overview of assignments and research topics. 

                                   

1/20   Holiday (Reading: Book II, Chapters 13-18).

1/27    Discussion of 1Q84, Book II, Chapters 13-24.

Research Topics (2; do both): 1. 1Q84 Critical Reception.  2. 1Q84 and Genre/the Postmodern Novel.   

2/3      Discussion of 1Q84, Book III, Chapters 1-7.

            Research Topic: 1Q84 in Feminist or Queer Studies perspective.

2/10   Discussion of 1Q84, Book III, Chapters 7-13.

            Research Topic: 1Q84 and Slipstream Fiction and/or New Fabulism. 

2/17    Discussion of 1Q84, Book III, Chapters 13-19.

            Research Topic: 1Q84 and the Anime Aesthetic/
“Animism.”

2/24  Discussion of 1Q84, Book III, Chapters 19-25.

            Research Topic: 1Q84 and the Representation of Postmodern Japan.

3/3      Discussion of 1Q84, Book III, Chapters 25-31 (finish).

            Research Topic: 1Q84 and Popular Culture; or, 1Q84 and George Orwell’s 1984.

3/10   Spring break

3/17    Seminar research presentations.

3/24    Seminar research presentations. 

3/31    Seminar research presentations.

4/7      Seminar research presentations.

4/14    Seminar research presentations.

4/21    Presentations of Student Papers.  

4/28-Finals Week; 4/30 Final project due in my email in word.doc file attachment.