BASIC PROGRAM of LIBERAL EDUCATION FOR ADULTS
Winter Quarter, 2016
Philip Roth’s American Trilogy
COURSE TITLE
COURSE INFORMATION
CODE & SECTION
Philip Roth’s American Trilogy
BPOPRT 16W1
COURSE SCHEDULE
DAYS: Tuesday
TIMES: 6 PM – 9:15 PM
CLASS LOCATION
INSTRUCTOR
Gleacher Center
PHONE: 312.282.4722
450 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive
EMAIL: kmitova@uchicago.edu
Chicago IL 60611
http://katiamitova.org
GRAHAM SCHOOL INFORMATION
WEBSITE: https://grahamschool.uchicago.edu
PHONE: 773.702.1722
LENGTH OF COURSE
10 WEEKS
PREREQUISITES
N/A
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students should register before the course begins. Regular attendance enriches both the individual and group
experience.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is a continuation of “Roth & Zuckerman” (Fall 2015), but it can be taken separately. We will
explore the relationship between Philip Roth and his alter ego, Nathan Zuckerman, in Roth’s American
Pastoral (1997), I Married a Communist (1998), and The Human Stain (2000). These three novels, which reevaluate the “American dream” of prosperity and equality, are also known as Roth’s American Trilogy and
are representative of his mature artistry. The course will conclude with Roth’s last novel narrated by
Zuckerman, Exit Ghost (2007). Weekly reading assignments: 110-140 pages.
For our first class please read Part I, “Paradise Remembered,” of American Pastoral.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Philip Roth, The American Trilogy. Library of America, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-1598531039.
Philip Roth. Novels 2001-2007: The Dying Animal / The Plot Against America / Exit Ghost. Library of America,
2013. ISBN-13: 978-1598531985. (Or another edition of just Exit Ghost.)
THE GRAHAM SCHOOL OF CONTINUING LIBERAL AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES - UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
WEEKLY READING ASSIGNMENTS
WEEK
Author
TEXT/READING ASSIGNMENT
Week 1
Date: 1/12
Roth
American Pastoral, Part One: “Paradise Remembered”
Week 2
Date: 1/19
Roth
American Pastoral, Part Two: “The Fall”
Week 3
Date: 1/26
Roth
American Pastoral, Part Three: “Paradise Lost”
Week 4
Date: 2/2
Roth
I Married a Communist, Chapters 1-4
Week 5
Date: 2/9
Roth
I Married a Communist, Chapters 5-8
Week 6
Date: 2/16
Roth
The Human Stain: Chapter 1: “Everyone Knows” &
Chapter 2: Slipping the Punch
Week 7
Date: 2/23
Roth
The Human Stain: Chapter 3: “What Do You Do With the Kid
Who Can’t Read?” & Chapter 4: “What Maniac Conceived It?”
Week 8
Date: 3/1
Roth
The Human Stain: Chapter 5: “The Purifying Ritual”
General discussion of the trilogy.
Week 9
Date: 3/8
Roth
Exit Ghost: Chapter 1: “The Present Moment” and
Chapter 2: “Under the Spell”
Week 10
Date: 3/15
Roth
Exit Ghost: Chapter 3: “Amy’s Brain,”
Chapter 4: “My Brain,” and Chapter 5: “Rash Moments”
This syllabus is a summary of course objectives and content, not a contract. All information in this syllabus is subject
to change, with advance notice provided by the instructor.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
As we may be addressing controversial topics in our class discussions, we expect students to be respectful and
considerate of others.
DISABILITY INFORMATION
The Graham School of Professional Studies abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act (see
http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (see
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/sec504.htm) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
(see http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html) and will provide reasonable accommodations to
students with disabilities covered by law. If you have a disability for which you may require accommodations, please
contact Gregory Moorehead, Director of Student Disability Services, at 773.702.7776 or gmoorehead@uchicago.edu
in advance of the first class meeting.
THE GRAHAM SCHOOL OF CONTINUING LIBERAL AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES - UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO