ENGL 399 Outline 2008/09 Fall

COURSE NUMBER:

ENGL 399A

COURSE TITLE:

Special Topics in English -2008/09 Fall - Mapping our Mental Geography: Canadian Literature Before 1980

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Dr Philip Mingay

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A course on a topic of figure of special interest to a member of the English faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.

Prerequisites: ENGL 204, 205

2008/09 Fall

From its rural and colonial past to its increasingly urban and multicultural present, Canada's emerging and evolving sense of national identity has been reflected in its literature. In this course, through our reading of representative Canadian prose and poetry, we will trace this literary history and explore the way critics have characterized our national literature before 1980. As well, we will map out some of the geographic and cultural influences that have given rise to a variety of regional literatures.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Bennett, Donna, and Russell Brown, eds. A New Anthology of Canadian Literature in English. Oxford UP, 2002.
Laurence, Margaret. The Stone Angel. M&S, 1988.
Mordecai Richler. The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. M&S, 2001.

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:

Essay One	20%
Essay Two (Research)	30%
Library Assignment	10%
Presentation/Participation	10%
Final Examination	30%

	100%

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

In this course, we will study selected works of Canadian poetry and fiction, as well as other forms of media such as art and film. In particular, we will focus on questions of early canon formation and a national literature, including the role of the artist in the construction of Canada’s national identity, both as a both a geographical place, and as a place of the imagination. We also will address questions of genre, and the politics of multiculturalism, gender, and regionalism. Our discussions will include ways in which the texts affect broader theoretical issues such as postcolonialism, postmodernism, feminism, and education.

The classes will incorporate both lecture and discussion formats. I will introduce each text and its critical background, and then as a class we will examine the text in detail, as well as any supplementary texts. This means that you must attend class, keep up with the readings, and be prepared to contribute to class discussions. It would be useful for you to note what you believe are significant sections from the texts, and how they may contribute to our understanding of the course as a whole.

Class participation is essential to the intellectual progression of the class. I expect you to attend class regularly and be prepared with specific questions and concerns so that we can examine the texts in detail. As well, you will be expected to support your classmates’ presentations by asking productive questions and contributing to our understanding of each presentation’s topic.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Introduction/Syllabus Distribution
Early Publications and Explorers

Brooke, The History of Emily Montague (11)

Franklin, Narrative of His Explorations (38)

Settlers, Pioneers and the Bush Myth

Traill, The Backwoods of Canada

Moodie, Roughing it in the Bush

Interdisciplinary Studies Conference—no class Wed
The “Empty” Landscape

The Group of Seven Paints Canada

Purdy, "Lament for the Dorsets"

"Wilderness Gothic" (552)

Smith, "The Lonely Land" (368)

Confederation Poets

Roberts “The Flight of the Geese” (148), “The Skater” (149)

Lampman, “The Railway Station” (178), “The City of the End of Things” (183)

The Long Poem

Pratt, Towards the Last Spike (286)

Scott, "All the Spikes But the Last" (324)

Regionalism and the CanLit Explosion

The Stone Angel

Ross, “The Runaway” (397)

Celebrities and Best Sellers

Scott, “The Canadian Authors Meet”

Cohen, "Suzanne" (699), "The Future" (705)

Atwood, "This is a Photograph of Me." Disembarking at Quebec" (779)

Mitchell, “Saint Sammy” (494)

Native Literature

Johnson, various poems (168)

Carr, “Kitwancool” (238)

The Politics of Quebec

The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

Canada and the U.S.

Film: The Grey Fox

Review

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.