ENG 5933.001: Topics in Major Authors: Faulkner
Professor Jeanne C. Reesman
Spring 2011, Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.-1:45 p.m., MB 1.208
Office: MB 2.306 D
Hours: T 11:00 a.m.-2 p.m. and other times by appointment
Phone: 210-458-5133; FAX: 210-458-5366
Email: jreesman@utsa.edu
Website: http://colfa.utsa.edu/English/reesman.html
MASTER SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION
This seminar is primarily an in-depth study of the novels of William
Faulkner, but also includes selected short stories. Often called the
greatest of American novelists, Faulkner portrayed not only an
unforgettable (in more ways than one) South, but also issues of national
importance such as race and racism, as well as, of course, some of the
most haunting renditions of human character ever penned. The works
will be closely read and discussed, and contemporary and recent critical
and theoretical perspectives will be introduced. Student reports will
provide a variety of important contexts—historical, biographical,
psychological, political, and feminist—as well as work in race studies,
class, and other cultural studies fields such as postcolonial theory and
criticism.
REQUIREMENTS AND GRADES:
The reading load is challenging; students should expect to set aside time
to stay up with the syllabus—but they will find that in reading for a
course solely on Faulkner they have immersed themselves in an intense—
and “unforgettable”—experience. Required are class discussion, reports,
midterm, final, and a major research paper (12 pages). Students will be
expected to participate in all class meetings, do independent research,
and gain an understanding of the major issues in Faulkner’s work and in
scholarship on his work. Our focus will be on Faulkner as a Southern
writer but more so on his use of language and narrative to present
characters. The syllabus is designed to be “back-loaded”; e.g., it starts
out with fairly short and/or accessible works and spends 2 weeks on The
Sound and the Fury; but then, after 6 weeks of class, it picks up the pace
with the novels. Students are advised to read ahead in the novels and to
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read experimental novels like The Sound and the Fury and Absalom,
Absalom! twice, a key to understanding them.
Grades: paper (40%), reports and discussion (10%), midterm (25%), final
(25%). The paper is a critical analysis with an argument about the
interpretation of a narrative problem in one or more of the texts. At
least 5 outside critical sources are required, as is MLA documentation
style. Late papers will not be accepted; exams cannot be rescheduled
unless there is an emergency. Late work will be deducted 1 letter grade
per weekday it is late, unless there is a valid written excuse.
TEXTS:
Faulkner, Selected Short Stories of William Faulkner, Modern Library
0679424784
Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury, Vintage 0679732241
Faulkner, Go Down, Moses, Vintage 0-679-73217-9
William Faulkner: Novels 1930-1935: As I Lay Dying / Sanctuary / Light in
August / Pylon by William Faulkner, ed. Joseph Blotner and Noel Polk,
Library of America 0940450267
William Faulkner: Novels 1936-1940: Absalom, Absalom! / The
Unvanquished / If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem / The Hamlet by William
Faulkner, ed. Joseph Blotner and Noel Polk, Library of America
0940450550
Suggested Reading:
Blotner, Joseph, Faulkner: A Biography (2 vols., long, exhaustive, crucial)
Clarke, Deborah, Robbing the Mother: Women in Faulkner
Faulkner, Lion in the Garden: Interviews with William Faulkner (very
important to understanding the man and his view of his work)
Faulkner, Selected Letters of William Faulkner, ed. Blotner
Karl, Frederick, William Faulkner: American Writer (over-long
psychological biography, but revealing)
Reed, Joseph, Faulkner’s Narrative (excellent narrative keys)
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Reesman, Jeanne Campbell, American Designs: The Late Works of James
and Faulkner (read chapters on Absalom, Absalom! and Go Down,
Moses)
Sundquist, Eric, Faulkner: The House Divided (excellent on race)
Wagner-Martin, Linda, ed. William Faulkner: Six Decades of Criticism
SYLLABUS:
January 13
Syllabi Handed Out
January 20
Introduction to Course; Lecture on “’The
Magnificence of the Failure’: Faulkner’s South”; sign-up
for Contextual Reports
January 27
“Barn Burning,” “Two Soldiers,” “A Rose for Emily”
February 3
“Dry September,” “That Evening Sun,” “Red Leaves”
February 10
The Hamlet
February 17
The Sound and the Fury
February 24
The Sound and the Fury
Take-home MIDTERM EXAM assigned
March 3
As I Lay Dying
Take-home MIDTERM EXAM due
March 10
Sanctuary
March 14-18
SPRING BREAK
March 25
GUEST LECTURE, DR. BRIDGET DRINKA,
“Linguistics and The Sound and the Fury”
March 31
Light in August
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April 7
Absalom, Absalom!
April 14
Absalom, Absalom!; Go Down, Moses: “Was,” “The Fire
April 21
Go Down, Moses: “The Old People,” “The Bear,”
in the Hearth,” “Pantaloon in Black”
“Delta Autumn, “ “Go Down, Moses”; Research Paper
Reports; Assign Take-home Final
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