FRS 004 — Sec. 008 — (2 units) — CRN 92659 — R 6:10-8:00pm — 156 Voorhies
European Literature & The Environment

Instructor: James Mc Elroy, University Writing Program, College of Letters & Science

Description: 'European Literature & The Environment' is meant to introduce students to reading literature -- from various ecological angles -- in terms of several European traditions. All the readings selected as course materials will be geared to make students consider the role that nature and the environment -- ornithological, botanical, geographical, meteorological, etc. -- play in the literatures of (in particular) Ireland, Britain, Italy, Germany, France. To help students draw some immediate comparisons between the traditions just mentioned, the course will be centered around a single course reader containing some brief primary texts and excerpts from such secondary works as Patrick D. Murphy's Literature of Nature: An International Sourcebook and Anna Re's Italian Environmental Literature: An Anthology. Given the vastness of the subject at hand (and the fact that my audience consists of freshman students) it clear that the course content will be clearly defined/delimited and that all readings will be in English. The main goal of this course is to INTRODUCE students to a select number of European literary traditions/cultures and enable them to draw certain strategic distinctions between these literatures. In broader terms, the course is intended to give students a comparative and interdisciplinary sense of how Europe and its different writers have evolved over time. In fact, the way the course is designed will allow students to make direct comparison between two countries (of their choice) while also acquiring an understanding of the "bigger picture."

Format: As a 2-unit course 'European Literature & The Environment' will meet for two hours, in a scheduled location, and be run on a part lecture/part workshop basis -- No field trips will be necessary. Grading: The Grading Criteria will be straightforward: Students will be required to give a brief oral presentation, in class, on a particular piece of literature, from the Course Reader, which they found appealing (Oral Presentation worth 25% of Course Grade). Students will also be asked, by the end of the course, to submit a relatively brief (given the time and units) paper (4-6 pages) which uses readings from the Course Reader -- and any outside reading they do -- to discuss the differences and similarities between two European traditions/literatures as reflected in specific authorial works (this Term Paper will be worth 50% of the Final Grade). Last, but not least, 25% of the Final Course Grade will be based on direct Class Participation which will be broken down/spelled out for the students. In brief, the Class Participation component of the Grade will be broken down in terms of INFORMED class contributions (oral) as per assigned readings, occasional -- and VERY brief -- responses IN WRITING to specific questions pertaining to assigned readings. A small percentage of the Class Participation (no more than 5% of the 25% in question) will be based on student punctuality and attendance.

About the Instructor: Dr. Mc Elroy received his Ph.D. from University College, Dublin. His research interests include Modern Irish/British Literature + Technical Writing and Business Communications. He has published articles & reviews in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, American Poetry Review, and San Francisco Review of Books.