OLT 235 THE RISE OF THE NOVEL Instructor: Warren D. M. Reed
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this course are to enable a student to:
i) The ability to recognise formal characteristics of a novel
ii) Discuss key points, authors, movements and genres in the development of the
novel
iii) Give thoughtful insights about elements of the novels studied
COURSE DESCRIPTION
OLT 235 is an introduction to the study and appreciation of novels. It explores
different traditions, techniques of the novel, with careful reading of selected short
novels. Students will be exposed to a number of novels from different genres.
It is an opportunity for students to (1) experience a broader range of novels than
perhaps they are used to reading, and (2) is an occasion to learn and practice a more
analytical--precise and elaborated-language for thinking about, talking about, and writing
about novels.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of this course students are expected to:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Have read the six short novels
Recognise the formal characteristics novels
Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse a novel using appropriate literary
language
Appreciate and understand then novel as a complex art form
Show a working knowledge of the elements of narrative fiction
Critically understand the historical, theoretical, sociocultural, economic and
institutional contexts of novels
Demonstrate an understanding of the variety of ways in which a novel creates
meaning
COURSE CONTENT
Knowledge Areas
1 Introduction to the Novel
a. Introduction
b. A brief history of the Novel
c. Candide (see Word.doc study guides)
(a) Plot summary
(b) Elements of Candide
e. Summary
2
The Detective Novel
a. Introduction: A Brief History of the Detective Novel
b. On the genre of the detective novel: THE RULES
c. The Hound of the Baskervilles
(a) Sherlock Holmes: His era/As Icon
(b) Plot summary
(c) Characters and Themes
f. Summary
3
The Science Fiction novel
a. Introduction
b. What is Science Fiction?
c. War of the Worlds
(a) Plot Summary
(b) Invasion, science, interpretation, etc.
d. Summary
4
The Dystopian Novel
a. Introduction
b.What is Dystopian Fiction? (pronounced like “[dis is like ‘this’ but with a
‘d’] toe pea un”
i. Definitions and characteristics
c Animal Farm
(a) The author
(b) Plot summary
(c) Characters and Themes
c. Summary
d. The cartoon on youtube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YYEoWAAmDE
5
The Horror Novel (or, Gothic Romance)
a. Introduction
b. What is Horror? (Gothic romance?)
c. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
(a) The author/social environment:
(b) Plot summary
(c) Characters and Themes
d. Summary
6
Absurdist/surrealism/expressionist
a. Introduction
b. Which “-ism” is it? (see the Glencoe pdf page 16)
d. Metamorphosis
(a) The author/social context
(b) Plot summary
(c) Themes
e. Summary and Course Summary
Main Time Tests will examine Knowledge areas 1-4; Annual Exams/supplementals will
examine all areas.
COURSE MATERIAL:
Pdf/download/copies freely available
Candide, Voltaire, 1759 (www.gutenberg.org 2014)
The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1759 (www.gutenberg.org
2014)
War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells, 1759 (www.gutenberg.org 2014)
Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka, 1759 (www.gutenberg.org 2014)
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Rober Louis Stevenson, 1759
(www.gutenberg.org 2014)
Animal Farm, George Orwell, 1759 (www.gutenberg.org 2014)
PLUS: Word documents and pdfs from the disc.
A number of films will also be made available for student use as pertains to the needs of
the course.