ENGLISH 331 –  Genres in Canadian Literature

Locating Fictions/Places

10-4588 TWRFS 9:00 – 4:50

S/S 2012  Prince George

Instructor:  Rob Budde                                                                         Tel:  250-960-6693

Office:             ADM 3016                                                                           Email:  rbudde@unbc.ca

Course Description:

We will study a wide variety of fiction by Canadian authors, concentrating on 20^th c. and contemporary work. Our primary thematic focus will be on how the stories represent and construct notions of “place,” broadly conceived.  In this regard we will be exploring the complex interconnections between such critical categories as land, landscape, nature, geography, environmentalism, language, translation, culture, race, ethnicity, gender, the body, history, home, community, family, economics, work, class, social status, migration, identity, region, nation, the local, globalization, borders and hybridity. The course will be organized as a seminar, using a combination of lecture, small group work, whole class discussions, and student presentations.

Required Texts:

Lecker, Robert, ed.  Open Country: Canadian Short Stories in English.  Thomson-Nelson, 2008.

Assignments/Evaluation: (Subject to Change)

Presentation (20 mins.)…….…….…………………................................20%

Short Response Paper (5 pp)………………………………………………..20%

Research Paper (10 pp)...................................................................40%

Participation…………………...............................................................20%

Presentation: Groups of three will present a focused introduction to one of the short stories on our reading list OR do a comparative study of two of the short stories. Presentations will be evaluated based on analytical content and pedagogy or presentation style.

Short Response Paper: A short formal paper that analyzes one aspect of one of the short stories we are studying. No research required on this paper.

Research Paper: Research papers are to be typed, double-spaced, and formatted in accordance with the MLA Handbook. For this 10 pp paper you will choose any story or combination of stories from our two course texts and develop a focused, well-constructed exploration and argument on a topic or issue of your own choosing.  In addition to whatever primary texts you use, you should refer to at least 4 other secondary sources. 

Deadline Policy: A 5% per day (including weekend days) late penalty will be assessed to papers handed in after the due date without prior permission. 

Special Needs:  If there are students in this course who, because of a disability, may have a need for special academic accommodations, please come and discuss this with me, or contact Disability Services.

PLEASE NOTE **********PLAGIARISM***************:  This is a serious offense that may result in course failure and expulsion, so if you are unsure whether or not you are plagiarizing in your paper, consult the university calendar or see me before you complete the assignment.

Reading Schedule

Tuesday                                   

Introduction to Place Theory

Alissa York “The Back of the Bear’s Mouth” (Lecker 533)

Harry

Wednesday

Frederick Philip Grove “The House of Many Eyes” (Lecker 72)

Morley Callaghan “The Blue Kimono” (Lecker 106)

Sinclair Ross “The Lamp at Noon” (Lecker 112)                 

Alistair MacLeod “The Boat” (Lecker 267)

Margaret Laurence “To Set Our House in Order” (Lecker 438)

Thursday

Clark Blaise “Identity” (Lecker 307)

Margaret Atwood “Hairball” (Lecker 297)

Sharon Butala “Light” (Lecker 315)                 

Rohinton Mistry “Squatter” (Lecker 369)

Thomas King “Borders” (Lecker  329)

Friday

Leon Rooke “The Woman’s Guide to Home Companionship” (Lecker 234)

Elise Levine “You Are You Because Your Little Dog Loves You” (Lecker 415)

Bill Gaston, “The Alcoholist” (Lecker 386)

Michael Crummey, “Serendipity” (Lecker 472)                 

Ivan E Coyote “Makeover” and “The Smart Money” (Lecker 507)

Saturday

Douglas Coupland “Shopping is Not Creating” (Lecker 425)

Joseph Boyden “Shawanagan Bingo Queen” (Lecker 480)

Madeleine Thien “Simple Recipes” (Lecker 560)

Lynn Coady “In Disguise as the Sky” (Lecker 513)

Eden Robinson, “Traplines” (Lecker 487)