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EN 3230 6.0: MODERN CANADIAN FICTION
TERM:
Fall-Winter 2019-2020 WEBSITE :
www.allanweiss.com COURSE INSTRUCTOR :
TIMES AND LOCATIONS : Seminar
R 2:30-5:30 FC 105 EXPANDED COURSE DESCRIPTION : This course introduces
students to works of English- and French-Canadian fiction from the 1940s
to the present day, exploring a broad range of short stories and novels
published during the period after World War II. As we read the course texts,
we will pay attention not only to their thematic and formal elements but
also to their historical and social contexts. While social realism has
dominated Canadian fiction since its earliest days, non-realist texts have
also been an important part of our literary heritage, and recent authors
have raised challenges to the realist mode in postmodernist and fantastic
texts. In addition, authors from a growing diversity of backgrounds and
marginalized communities have added new dimensions to the country’s fiction.
Thus, we will look at texts that illustrate the variety of modes and
voices that have characterized recent Canadian fiction. Francophone
texts will be studied in translation. ORGANIZATION
OF THE COURSE: We will meet for one three-hour seminar each
week. There will be a lecture during the first part of the seminar that
will set the broader context for understanding that week's reading(s)
and themes. After the lecture, we will have a class discussion of the
week's material, focusing directly on the text or texts. All students
will be expected to come to class having completed the assigned reading
so that they are prepared to discuss it. COURSE LEARNING
OBJECTIVES: 1. Brief Statement
of Purpose The course deals with the development
of modern Canadian fiction from the 1940s on, at all times placing that
development in its historical and cultural contexts. Students will
be introduced to some of the major literary movements, modes, and trends
in Canadian fiction during the period, including but not limited to modernism,
postmodernism, magic realism, surrealism, fantastic literature, and realist
and non-realist French-Canadian fiction. Novels will be supplemented
by short stories to ensure as broad a coverage as possible of the range
of styles, techniques, and authors. 2. Specific
Learning Objectives :
It is hoped that students will gain an understanding of the key modes and
movements in modern and contemporary Canadian fiction, and become familiar
with a number of major figures in the field. One of the objectives
of the course is to introduce students to authors they might not have
read or even heard of before, so as to broaden their understanding of
the various types of fiction that comprise recent work in the genre.
Students will be expected to explore and make some use of secondary
material, both theoretical and critical, on Canadian fiction, particularly
in their major written work. COURSE TEXTS : Sinclair Ross, As for Me and My House (New
Canadian Library) Mordecai Richler, The Apprenticeship of
Duddy
Kravitz
(Penguin) Sheila Watson, The Double Hook (New
Canadian Library) Gabrielle Roy, The Tin Flute (New
Canadian Library) Timothy Findley, The Wars (Penguin) Michael Ondaatje, In the Skin of a Lion
(Vintage) Joy Kogawa, Obasan
(Penguin) Eden Robinson, Monkey Beach (Vintage) Shyam Selvadurai, Funny Boy (Emblem) In addition, there is a course kit containing short stories EVALUATION :
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/legislation/senate/acadhone.htm Grading, Assignment
Submission, Lateness Penalties, and Missed Tests Grading: The grading scheme for the course conforms
to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate
programs at (For a full description
of Students may
take a limited number of courses for degree credit on an ungraded (pass/fail)
basis. For full information on this option see Alternative Grading Option
in the Faculty of Arts section of the Undergraduate Calendar. Assignment
Submission : Proper academic
performance depends on students doing their work not only well, but on
time. Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the
due date specified for the assignment. Assignments are to be handed in
to the instructor at the tutorial. Lateness Penalty : Assignments received later than the
due date will be penalized one-half letter grade per week or portion thereof
that it is late . Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid reasons
such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the
instructor but will require supporting documentation (e.g., a doctor’s
letter). Missed Tests: Students with a documented reason for
missing a course test, such as illness, compassionate
grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g.,
doctor’s letter), may request accommodation from the instructor. Further
extensions or accommodation will require students to submit a formal petition
to the Faculty. Be sure to consult the Faculty of Arts guidelines on
Deferred Standing Agreements, petitions, etc. IMPORTANT
COURSE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS : All students
are expected to familiarize themselves with the following information,
available on the Senate Committee on Curriculum & Academic Standards
webpage (see Reports, Initiatives, Documents): http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate_cte_main_pages/ccas.htm - York’s Academic
Honesty Policy and Procedures/Academic Integrity Website - Ethics Review
Process for research involving human participants - Course requirement
accommodation for students with disabilities, including physical, medical,
systemic, learning and psychiatric disabilities - Student Conduct
Standards - Religious Observance
Accommodation Note: The last date to add the course without permission
of the course director is Sept. 17, 2019 The last date to add the course with permission
of course director is Oct. 22, 2019 The last date to drop the course without academic
penalty is Feb. 3, 2020
LECTURE SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS : 1. Sept. 5 Introduction: Modern and “Modern”
Canadian Fiction
Mavis Gallant, “Acceptance of Their Ways”
John Metcalf, “Early Morning Rabbits” 5. Oct. 3 The
Canadian Short Story: The Immigrant Experience I Reading: Margaret Laurence, "A
Bird in the House" 6. Oct. 10 French-Canadian
Modernism Reading: Gabriel Roy, The Tin
Flute
7. Oct. 17 Reading Week: No Classes 8. Oct. 24 Realism
and Satire First Essay due
10. Nov. 7 Historiographic Metafiction 11. Nov. 14 Mythopoeic Fiction
Reading: Alice Munro, Who Do
You Think You Are? *********************************************************************************************************** 1. Jan. 9 The Immigrant
Experience and the City Reading: Michael Ondaatje, In
the Skin of a Lion
Reading: Phyllis Gotlieb, "Tauf Aleph" Charles de Lint,
"The Pennymen" 3. Jan. 23 The Immigrant Experience: Old
World and New World Reading: Joy Kogawa, Obasan
Reading: Margaret Atwood, "Death By Landscape” Leon Rooke, “Want to Play House?"
Reading: Shyam Selvadurai, Funny Boy
Reading: Madeleine Thien, "Simple Recipes"
Reading: Eden Robinson, Monkey
Beach
Reading: Alistair MacLeod , “The Boat” Lynn Coady, "Hellgoing”
Reading: Kim Thuy, Ru
Reading: Lisa Moore, "If You're
There" Michael Crummey, "Roots"
12. Mar. 26 The Suburban Experience Reading: David Chariandy, Brother Third Essay due
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