Anoka-Ramsey Community College

English 2215: Special Topics in Literature: Minnesota Writers

Course Description:

This course will explore a specialized theme or field in literature, such as Minnesota Writers, Gothic Literature, Best Sellers, etc. The specific focus will be announced in the Class Schedule, and the course may be repeated under a different focus. Readings will include at least three of the five major genres of literature -- novels, short stories, poems, plays, creative nonfiction -- and emphasis will be on critical reading and discussion, the elements of literature, and analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. (Successful completion of ENGL 1121 is recommended.)

Learner Outcomes:

At the conclusion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Read, discuss, analyze, interpret, and evaluate literature -- at least three literary genres will be included from fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction.
2. Expand their literary repertoires by reading and responding (in class discussions and written assignments) to selected works of literature.
3. Describe and use process-oriented reading and writing models -- i.e., they treat reading and writing about literature texts as cognitive acts deeply influenced by personal experience, literary experience, and broader cultural forces.
4. Use literary terminology to describe the technical elements of the chosen literary genres.
5. Select and apply a critical approach -- such as biographical, reader-response, feminist, historical, archetypal, formalist, post-structural, or psychological criticism -- to analyze, interpret, and evaluate selected works of literature.
6. Present -- through activities such as group discussion, reading logs or journals, D2L posts, response papers, reviews, critical essays, and examinations -- their personal interpretation and evaluation of selected works of literature.
7. Understand how the selected works of literature reflect the characteristics and values of the people and times in which they were written.
8. Appreciate the ways in which literature helps us better understand ourselves, other people, and the world around us.

Major Areas of Course Content:

These areas should be covered by everyone teaching this course:

1. The study of various forms/genres of literature -- at least three different forms/genres.
2. Literary elements and devices as they are used in the selected literary forms/genres.
3. Critical and/or affective writing in response to works of literature.
4. Critical approaches to literature (may include, but not be limited to, biographical, reader-response, feminist, historical, archetypal, formalist, post-structural, or psychological criticism).
5. Interpreting and evaluating literature, and developing support for these interpretations and evaluations.
6. Recognizing the role of literature as cultural, historical, political, and personal artifacts.