Introduction to narrative literature

Fakultet for humaniora, samfunnsvitenskap og lærerutdanning

This course may be taken as a singular course.

This semester we will read a diverse selection of narratives beginning in the nineteenth century and going up to our time. Although most of our required reading will be short fiction and a novel, we will consider a range of narrative forms. One of our main concerns will be with how narrative changes through time, place, medium, and cultural context. (How) does it matter, for example, if a piece was written by a man or a woman, or by an African American or a white person. (How) does it matter if it appears in print, electronic, or visual media? Finally, we will think about how and why narrative matters, not only in texts, but also in the everyday lives of ordinary people.

Knowledge and understanding:
- To develop your ability and confidence in reading critically and interpreting a variety of narrative fiction texts.
- To recognize and be able to use terminology related to the analysis of narrative.
- To understand the broader social, historical, and gendered contexts that contribute to the development of narrative fiction from one historical period to another.

Skills/proficiency:
- To develop your proficiency in reading, speaking, and writing in English.
- To strengthen your ability to explain your ideas in a succinct, coherent manner and support them with close readings of texts.
- To develop competence in interpreting literary texts in historical, cultural, and literary critical contexts.

Language of instruction and examination is English.

13 weeks of teaching and 1 week of academic supervision. Quality assurance: The subject undergoes an end evaluation every third year.

Coursework requirements:
A response paper (1-3 pages) and an essay (6 pages) that focuses one of the narratives on the reading list.

Assessment method:
A 6-hour school exam.

Performance in the course will be assessed with the grades A-F. Grades are A-E for passed and F for failed. A re-examination is offered in the event of an F-grade. The deadline to register for re-examination is January 15th for the autumn semester and August 15th for the spring semester.

Skriftlig eksamen: 28.11.2011

The date for the exam can be changed. The final date will be announced at your faculty early in May and early in November.

Skriftlig eksamen

Primary Reading

Abbott, H. Porter, The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN 052165969 8 (pbk)

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Editor Tony Tanner. Penquin Classics. ISBN 0141439513.

Cassill, R.V. and Richard Bausch, Eds., The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction,Shorter Seventh Edition. London and New York: Norton 2005. ISBN 0-393-92612-5 (pbk)

Kincaid, Jamaica. Annie John. Vintage. ISBN-13-978-0099773818

Secondary Reading
(Recommended Literature)

Murfin, Ross and Supryia M. Ray, Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms, Second Edition, Ed., 2003. ISBN 1-4039-05053.

Griffith, Kelley. Writing Essays about Literature: A guide and Style Sheet. Sixth Edition. ISBN 0-15-503708-0.

Rimmon-Kenan, Shlomith. Narrative Fiction. Routledge. ISBN 13 9780203426111. Revised 2010. (Three copies in the library on reserve)