Introduction to Fiction

Course Number:

ENG 104Z

Transcript Title:

Introduction to Fiction

Created:

Aug 10, 2022

Updated:

Apr 25, 2024

Total Credits:

4

Lecture Hours:

40

Lecture / Lab Hours:

0

Lab Hours:

0

Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:

No

Satisfies General Education requirement:

Yes

Grading Options

A-F, P/NP, Audit

Default Grading Options

A-F

Repeats available for credit:

0

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major

1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)

Major

2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)

Not Addressed

3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)

Minor

4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)

Minor

5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assessment tools may include informal responses to study questions; evaluation of small- and full-group discussion; in-class and out-of-class writing; formal essays, as well as informal responses to study questions and other types of informal writing; presentations by individuals and groups; short and long essay exams; close reading exercises using support/evidence; writing exercises which include evaluation of various interpretations of a text and their relative validity. Both instructor and peer evaluation may be incorporated in the assessment process.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Strategies that have worked well in ENG 104 include short lecture, videos, small group or OL forum discussion, group projects, peer review/workshops, journals, mini essays, essays and multimedia or creative final projects.

The Writing and Literature department strongly recommends culturally sensitive instruction and anti-racist pedagogy.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Articulate how culture and context shape literary texts and how literature contributes to understandings of ourselves and the world.

• Present students with the idea of Contextuality: how the era, culture and other forces shape literary texts.
• Present to students the history of oppression and exclusion of marginalized voices and communities in literature as well as the cultural forces (censorship, war, patriarchy, racism, sexism, etc.) that shape literary texts.
• Encourage students to develop their own relationships and text-based interpretations that center the personal relevance of individual texts.
• Create the opportunity for students to increase their understanding of others through empathetic reading.

Outcome #2: Identify how literary devices and various formal elements contribute meaning to a text.

• Present and provide multiple opportunities for students to actively use elements of literature and literary devices in their reading, discussion and writing.
  • Literary elements: plot, character, setting, point of view, tone, theme, narration….
  • Devices: imagery, diction, irony, ambiguity, and others.

Outcome #3: Build interpretations based on relevant evidence.

• Guide students through strategies of close reading, annotation and textual analysis.
• Provide multiple opportunities to practice MLA format for integration and citation of textual quotes.
  • Create safe spaces where all students can contribute their unique analysis and where they feel supported in challenging and changing their initial interpretations.

Outcome #4: Articulate the specific demands, parameters and rewards of fiction prose, and how they produce meaning in prose texts.

• Lead exploration of what delineates fiction from non-fiction and particularly creative non-fiction.
• Examine prose works that blur the lines between prose, poetry and/or drama.
• Consider why authors choose to write in prose, and how that choice affects meaning.

Suggested Texts and Materials

The Writing and Literature Dept. requires that 60% of all texts/materials be authored/created by marginalized authors including but not limited to women.

We have no other requirements. The field of literature is too vast to single out any handful of recommended texts. However, we strongly encourage the use of OER materials in lieu of textbooks. Purchasing novels and short story/poetry collections is fine, as there is lifelong value in owning these books.

We have not located any OER materials for ENG 104, but our department has a grant and is in the process for developing an OER ENG 104 anthology. It will be ready for publication in June and we can supply that info then.