English R50

Other Readings and Media

Fitzgerald, S.: The Great Gatsby; Ondaatje, M.: In the Skin of a Lion; James, H.: The American; Hacker, D.: Rules for Writers, Fifth Edition. A required course reader will contain shorter works and excerpts. Some films will also be shown.

Description

"This course topic is meant to refigure, in more pedestrian terms, the intersection of sexual desire and socioeconomic status in the literary domain. In familiarizing those academic terms, we will chart the difference, if any, between ?love? and ?sexual desire? and between ?money? and ?class,? for our materials will employ all four terms. The texts for this course will represent both writers interested in capitalism?s effect on the affections of the heart and writers interested in the romantic possibilities of wealth and poverty. The course is intended to give a wide variety of materials for writing purposes, and will range from ?high literature? through popular culture and romantic comedies.



Our analyses will be performed in writing, and the primary goal of the class, beyond an appreciation for the material, is to teach the mechanics and technology of writing in college. To that end, students will write several short essays, three of which will be substantial revisions of prior work. "