English R1A

Other Readings and Media

"Strunk & White, The Elements of Style.

Twain, M. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Hemingway, E. The Sun Also Rises

Kerouac, J. On The Road.

Nabokov, V. The Annotated Lolita.

Mann, T. Death in Venice.

McCarthy, C. The Crossing.

Xeroxed COURSE READER "

Description

"In this course we will study what it means to be ""on the road"" in classic American literature (and one European novella.) We will read about the roadtrips of impulsive boys, American expatriates in Europe, European emigres in America, and Beat Generation hipsters. In class discussions throughout the semester we will examine the techniques by which fiction writers explore their themes and the rather different techniques by which essay writers argue their theses. To illustrate these differences, each novel will be accompanied by an expository essay (or poem) addressing a related topic. The class is intended to develop the student's ability to read analytically and to write standard English prose. Students will write about a dozen 2-4 page papers. These will include opportunities for creative writing, journalism, and expository essays, as well as the usual ""English paper"" analyzing the text. "