Prose Reading for Sophomores (大二英文散文)
English Department, TKU, Spring 2002
Objectives: to sharpen students’ reading ability by offering lively reading selections
as models for analysis, discussion and imitation; to teach students techniques of
reading and writing; and to broaden students’ view of life and the world via exploring
writers’ ideas.
Textbook:
1. Gilbert H Muller, and Harvey S. Wiener. The Short Prose Reader ( available at the
Crane Publishing Co.,)
2. Contemporary Reader, Taipei Bookman
Text covered weekly:
1. Nancy Shute, “Why Do We Age?” as from p.367, The Short Prose Reader
2. Ditto
3. Plato “The Allegory of the Cave”, as from p. 418, The Short Prose Reader
4. Ditto
5. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Want a Dream,” as from p. 429, The Short Prose Reader
6. Ditto
7. Yolnda Cruz. “A Twofer’s Lament,” p.435
8. Grace Paley “Travelling,” as from p.154, The Short Prose Reader
9. Ditto
10. Virginia Woolf, “The Death of Moth,” from p. 426, The Short Prose Reader
11. Ditto
12. Jonathan Kozol, “Are the Homeless Crazy?” from p. 406, The Short Prose Reader
13. Ditto
14. Molly Ivins, “Get a Knife, Get a Dog, but Get Rid of Guns,” The Short Prose
Reader
15. Ditto
16. Mortimer B. Zukerman, “The Case for More Cops” as from p. 401, The Short
Prose Reader
17. Ditto
18. Thomas A Sancton, “What on Earth Are We Doing?” Contemporary Reader
19. Ditto
20. Lewis Thomas, “Man’s Role on Earth,” as from p340, Contemporary Reader
21. Ditto
22. Sue Hubbell, “Caterpillar Afternoon,” as from 344, Contemporary Reader
Grading: Attendance, 20%; Mid-term exam., 35%; Final, 45%