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Course Syllabus
1. Course number
2. Course credits
3. Course title
4. Faculty/ Department
5. Semester
6. Academic Year
7. Academic Staff
8. Condition
9. Course status
10.Curriculum
11. Level
12. Number of hours/week
13. Course Description
2202231
2 credits
Popular English Fiction
Faculty of Arts/ Department of English
First
2006(a)
Assistant Professor Rongrat Dusdeesurapot
Ajarn Subenja Phaolaungthong
Elective
Bachelor of Arts
Undergraduate level
3 hours
Midterm exam date :
AR
Final exam date : September 27, 2006 (27A3)
Reading, analysis and discussion of selected
popular English fiction
14. Course Outline
14.1 Learning objectives
This course is designed for non-English majors who wish to read
and appreciate fiction written in English. It is intended:
1. to introduce students to the major elements of fiction
2. to familiarize students with approaches to literary texts
3. to give students exposure to different genres of popular
fiction
4. to sharpen students’ awareness of cultures and genres in
fiction
5. to develop students’ language skills as well as analytical
and critical abilities.
14.2 Learning Contents
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
Introduction to Fiction
Plot and setting
Narrators and points of view
Characters and characterization
Structure of narrative
Theme
Popular Fiction/ Genre Fiction
Exploring different genres of novels
Crime: Detective Story
Characteristics of the genre
Reading and discussion of excerpts from The Da Vinci Code
Reading and discussion of excerpts from The Hound of the
Baskervilles
WEEK 3
Romance
Characteristics of the genre and subgenres
Social, historical and political background
Reading texts and subtexts
-2WEEK 4
Reading and discussion of Bridget Jones’s Diary / Pride and
Prejudice
WEEK 5
Horror/ Gothic Romance
Reading and discussion of “The Bloody Chamber”
Fairy-tales, myths, and intertextuality
“Bluebeard,” Pandora, Cupid and Psyche
Bildungs Roman
WEEK 6
Reading and discussion of Great Expectations
Children’s Literature
Characteristics of the genre and subgenres
Social background
Psychological approach to fiction
WEEK 7
Reading and discussion of The Lion, the Witch, and the
Wardrobe
Reading and discussion of Harry Potter
WEEK 8
JULY 26 (2)
MIDTERM EXAM
Fantasy/ Science Fiction: Dystopia/ Utopia
Characteristics of the genre and subgenres
WEEK 9
Reading and discussion of Never Let Me Go
WEEK 10
Western
Characteristics of the genre and subgenres
Reading and discussion of “Brokeback Mountain”
Film adaptations of novels
WEEK 11-12
Reading and discussion of The Hours and The Joy Luck Club
The Color Purple
WEEK 13
Introduction: background of the novel
WEEK 14
Discussion of elements of the novel
WEEK 15-16
Students’ oral presentation
14.3
Method

Lecture and discussion
40%
 (Lectures on elements of fiction based on handouts are
given at the beginning of the semester. Students are
assigned to read, outside class, excerpts from novels and
one novel. All students must be prepared to participate in
-3-


14.4
classroom activities and to give answers in writing to
study questions already in the handouts.)
Brainstorming and discussion of case study so that students learn
to analyze and solve problems
30%
Making a summary of the main points or presentation of the
results of researching or the assigned tasks 30%
Media




Transparencies
Videotapes/ DVD
Electronics and website media:
E-learning: Blackboard
See Course Blackboard
See Course Blackboard
14.5 Assignment through Network System
14.5.1 Assigning and Submitting Method: Blackboard
14.5.2 Learning Management System: Blackboard
14.6 Evaluation
14.6.1 Assessment of academic knowledge
(Midterm exam 30%
Final exam 40%)
14.6.2 Assessment of assigned tasks
14.6.3 Attendance and participation
14.6.4 Group paper
70%
15%
7.5%
7.5%
Final grades will be computed in accordance with both normed and
criterion-referenced methods.
15. Reading List
15.1 Required Texts:


handouts on elements of fiction
excerpts from selected novels and
short stories
The Color Purple
15.2 Supplementary Texts:
Arp, Thomas R. and Greg Johnson. Perrine’s Story and Structure.
Boston: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006.
Ashley, Bob. The Study of Popular Fiction: A Source Book. London: Pinter, 1989.
Clayton, John. J. Introduction to Fiction. Boston:Houghton Mifflin, 2000.
Longhurst, Derek. Reading Popular Fiction I: Gender, Genre and Narrative
Pleasure.London: Unwin Hyman, 1989.
Montgomery, Martin and Alan Durant, et al. Ways of Reading: Advanced Reading
Skills
for Students of English Literature. London: Routledge, 1992.
Morrison, Jago. Contemporary Fiction. London: Routledge, 2003.
15.3 Research Articles/Academic Articles: To be announced in class/on Blackboard
15.4 Electronic Media or Websites:
To be announced in class/on Blackboard
16. Teacher Evaluation
16.1 Lecture and discussion form
-416.2
16.3
Changes made in accordance with the previous evaluation
Adjustments in content and teaching media
Discussion and analysis which create intellect and academic knowledge,
skills and professional knowledge, ethics, and social responsibilities
Reading and discussion of popular English fiction and cultural
studies. Discussion of social issues reflected in the selected
literary works.