Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Alpha and Number:
ENG 257-F
Course Title:
Themes in Literature: Women Writers on
Women
Credits:
3
Date of Outline:
March 2004
2. Course Description:
Studies, analyzes, and poems, short stories,
prose, drama, and novels written by women who
focus on women personae. Explores themes of
gender such as family relationships,
motherhood, sexuality, women and nature,
women and politics, women and spirituality,
women and creativity, and myths of femaleness.
Studies and analyzes universal problems in
selected literary works.
3. Contact Hours/Type:
3 hours/lecture
4. Prerequisites:
ENG 100 with at least a C, or consent.
Co-requisites:
Recommended Preparation
Approved by
Date
2
4. General Course Objectives
Acquaints students with the rise, development and diversification of women’s literature across
time and cultures. Provides readings, discussion and composition on issues and themes
addressed by women’s literature.
6. Student Learning Outcomes
For assessment purposes, these are linked to #7. Recommended Course Content.
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
a. demonstrate knowledge of some of the major woman writers drawn from various times
and cultures;
b. recognize universal themes in human experience as well as the issues that have been of
major concern to woman writers historically and culturally;
c. write clear, well-organized essays and other texts that identify, evaluate and explain
themes in women’s writings;
d. evaluate a work of literature as a reflection of its cultural milieu;
e. examine a work of literature from various perspectives and theoretical points of view;
f. examine and analyze the various elements of a work of literature;
g. use basic terms and concepts particular to literary analysis;
h. write with an awareness of audience and purpose, using mla style and documentation
when appropriate;
i. complete 16 or more pages of finished, carefully revised and edited writing (may be in
form of portfolio.)
7. Recommended Course Content and Approximate Time Spent on Each Topic
Linked to #6. Student Learning Outcomes.
1 session:
Introduction of course and students, discussion of syllabus, relevant
campus resources, course materials, assignments and course rules.
1-2 weeks:
Early artifacts and texts, pre-18th century: East and West (a—h)
1-3 weeks:
The rise of the woman author: 18th century (a—h)
2-3 weeks:
Woman writers and “the new woman”: turn of the century (a—h)
1-3 weeks:
The Modernists (a—h)
2-4 weeks:
Contemporary writers, multiculturalism and the opening of the canon (a—
i).
8. Text and Materials, Reference Materials, Auxiliary Materials and Content
Appropriate text(s) and materials will be chosen at the time the course is offered from those
currently available in the field. Examples include:
Text(s):
The Norton Anthology of Literature by Women, by Gilbert and Gubar.
A Room of One’s Own, by Woolf
Beloved, by Morrison
The Writer’s Reference, by Hacker.
3
Miscellaneous:
Various handouts
Audio and/or videotaped material to be provided by instructor, or by packet, to be
purchased by students.
9. Recommended Course Requirements and Evaluation
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the course is
being offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to:
10-25%
Attendance, punctuality and participation
10-30%
Informal writing (notes, journals, summaries, etc)
30-50%
Essays
10. Methods of Instruction
Instructional methods will vary considerably with instructors. Specific methods will be at the
discretion of the instructor teaching the course and might include, but are not limited to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Whole class discussion
Small group and partnered discussion and exercises
Lecture and narrated visual presentations
One-on-one feedback on papers at various stages of writing process
Peer editing and feedback
Individual and small group presentations
Research practicum in library and on Internet