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UGRC 160 INTRODUCTION TO

LITERATURE

STUDY GUIDE

UGRC 160INTRODUCTION TO

LITERATURE

STUDY GUIDEFor Undergraduates

2014/15 – 2016/17 Academic Year

Dr. P. Kwame Adika, English Department, University of Ghana

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Mr. Edmund Ankomah, the Teaching Assistant who played a critical role in the development of this study guide and the course slides as well as the presentation of the course module on the University of Ghana Sakai Learning Management System.

STUDY GUIDEUGRC 160 INTRODUCTION TO

LITERATURE

CONTENTS

COURSE DESCRIPTION...................................................................

1. COURSE WEBSITE...................................................................

2. INSTRUCTORS........................................................................

3. Support Contact Information..................................................

6. LEARNING OUTCOMES............................................................

7. ASSESSMENT.........................................................................

7.1 Individual Assignments.................................................................77.2 Group Term Paper – Research Proposal........................................7

8. RECOMMENDED TEXTS...........................................................

DETAILED CLASS SCHEDULE...........................................................

9. SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS.........................................................

10.SESSION 0 – INTRODUCTION TO UGRC 160...............................

10.1 Overview....................................................................................810.2 Goals and Objectives.................................................................810.3 Activities and Assignments........................................................8

11.SESSION 1 – WHAT IS LITERATURE AND WHY ARE WE

READING IT?...............................................................................

11.1 Overview....................................................................................911.2 Goals and Objectives.................................................................911.3 Activities and Assignments........................................................9

12.SESSION 2 – INTRODUCTION TO PROSE (Short-Fiction) – PART

ONE............................................................................................

12.1 Overview....................................................................................912.2 Goals and Objectives.................................................................9

UGRC 160 INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE - STUDY GUIDE 2014 Page 2 of 25


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12.3 Activities and Assignments......................................................10


TWO (Style: Satire, Symbol, Irony, Metaphor).............................10

13.1 Overview..................................................................................1013.2 Goals and Objectives...............................................................1013.3 Activities and Assignments......................................................10


THREE- A DISCUSSION ON THEME...............................................10


15.SESSION 5 – THE NOVEL – PART ONE –SOME FORMAL

CHARACTERISTICS.....................................................................11


16.SESSION 6 – THE NOVEL- PART TWO – NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE

12


17.SESSION 7 – POETRY -An Introduction- Tone, Voice, Point of

View.........................................................................................13


18.SESSION 8 – POETRY – PART TWO- The Sense of Poetry: Word

Choice, Word Order, Figure of Speech........................................13



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19.SESSION 9 – POETRY- PART THREE – The Sound of Poetry:

Rhythm and Metre, Alliteration, Onomatopoeia..........................14


20.SESSION 10 - DRAMA – An Introduction- Elements of Drama:

Plot, Character, Action, Conflict.................................................15


21.SESSION 11 – DRAMA – PART TWO – DRAMATIC TECHNIQUE....15


22.SESSION 12 – DRAMA – PART THREE - THEME.........................16


23.SESSION 13 – SUMMARY/REVIEW...........................................16




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COURSE DESCRIPTION 1. COURSE WEBSITE

http://sakai.ug.edu.gh/XXXXXXXXXXX

2. INSTRUCTORSDr. P. Kwame AdikaUGRC 160 Co-ordinatorEnglish DepartmentUniversity of GhanaP. O. Box LG Legon, Accra

Email: [email protected]: RT 18, English Department, University of Ghana

is the corresponding instructor.

3. Support Contact InformationSchool of Continuing and Distance EducationUniversity of Ghana P. O. Box XXXXXXXLegon, Accra

Phone: XXXXXXXXXEmail: XXXXXXXXXXXX


mailto:[email protected]


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4. OVERVIEWThe study of literature provides a challenging opportunity to develop a variety of useful academic skills in reading, writing, thinking and researching. UGRC 160 requires students to undertake critical examination of texts and also produce evidence-based interpretation of texts.

Apart from making students familiar with the basic forms and features of three genres—fiction, poetry, and drama— this course will introduce students to basic strategies designed to groom them to become lifelong lovers of reading and to develop their analytical and rhetorical skills. This course will engage students in careful reading and analysis of a challenging and yet rich selection of literary works from a range of genres including the novel, the short story, poetry and drama. The focus will be on intensive reading and discussion of the literature to inculcate in students the skills of analysis and interpretation. Students are expected to be active readers as they analyze and interpret textual detail, establish connections among their observations and draw logical inferences. They will be introduced to formal features of the selected texts as well as to the links between literature and life, to make them better readers of their world. The course will include a writing component that focuses on expository, analytical and argumentative writing about literature. In short, students will read, discuss and write about texts while developing skills such as the sophisticated use of literary elements and terminology, close readings of various texts as well as creating, drafting and editing analytical essays.

5. COURSE FORMATThe course content will be delivered online through the SAKAI Learning Management System (Sakai LMS). The Sakai LMS will be used to deliver

• Video Lecture Sessions• Session Slides • Session Reading Materials• Assessments – Tests, Quizzes and Assignments (including a

Problem-based Term Paper)• Group Activities – Discussions and Presentations

Announcements will be posted to the course website and/or students’ email addresses accordingly. It is the responsibility of students to check on announcements made in class, on the Course Website, and through email.



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6. LEARNING OUTCOMESSince UGRC 160 is a discussion and writing class—not a lecture class—students will be required to read and comprehend all assigned texts and demonstrate critical inquiry and keen observation in both oral and written discussions of texts.

At the completion of this course, the students will be able to:1) Understand the relevance of the reading, discussion and enjoyment of a variety of literary works and genres; 2) Be able to confidently deploy terminology pertaining to the three main genres of literature; 3) Use appropriate interpretive reading strategies for literary texts; 4) Recognize and appreciate the elements of literature and the techniques at the disposal of authors; 5) Respond critically to texts by writing clear, coherent, well-supported essays; 6) Provide an interpretation of texts that infers meaning without dismissing or distorting significant detail



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7. ASSESSMENTThe assessment for this course has been designed to help all students to maximize their individual and group/team learning opportunities. A summary of the assessment tasks is provided below.

ITEM FORM OF ASSESSMENT

DELIVERED

MARKS

Individual Assignments

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)Short EssaysTerm Paper/Presentation

Alongside Sessions

15%

Group Assignments

Term Project/Paper/ Presentation

Beginning of Semester

15%

Written Examination

Semester Examination End of semester

70%

Total 100%

7.1 Individual AssignmentsIndividual assignments will be provided at end of sessions. These assignments may be in the form of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Short Essays and/or a Term Paper or Presentation. Deadlines will be provided for each assignment with respect to scheduling of the sessions.

8. RECOMMENDED TEXT

UGRC 160: Introduction to Literature Course Packet



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DETAILED CLASS SCHEDULEThe course is organized into 15 SESSIONS along the following lines: (1) Overview; (2) Goals and Objectives; and (3) Activities and Assignments.

9. SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS

Week Session1 Sessions 0 and 12 Session 23 Sessions 3 – Part 1 and 24 Sessions 4 and 55 Session 66 Session 77 Session 88 Session 99 Session 1010 Session 1111 Session 1212 Session 1313 Session 14

10. SESSION 0 – INTRODUCTION TO UGRC 16010.1 OverviewIntroductions and orientation to the use of the Sakai Learning Management System (LMS) and the available tools for the course.

10.2 Goals and ObjectivesAt the end of the session, the student will

1. Understand the subject matter of this course – What Literature is and how the course is organized

2. Become familiar with the tools in the Sakai LMS to be used in the course.

3. Do self-introductions and discuss the expectations for the course in the Chat Room

10.3 Activities and AssignmentsThis week, complete the following tasks:

1. Log onto the UG Sakai LMS course site: http://sakai.ug.edu.gh/XXXXXXXXX

2. Watch the Video for Session 1 - Course Introduction3. Visit the Chat Room and introduce yourself while discussing


http://sakai.ug.edu.gh/XXXXXXXXX


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expectations for the course4. Explore the online tools available in Sakai.

11. SESSION 1 – WHAT IS LITERATURE AND WHY ARE WE READING IT?

11.1 Overview Broadly speaking, “literature” refers to a specific body of written works on a particular field (sociology, anthropology, science, etc.)But in the specific context of this course, the term is used to describe works of creative imagination; works that draw on creative impulses to create a world that mirrors human society.


1. Understand what Literature is and the three main sub-genres of Literature that will be studied in the course.

2. Understand the similarities and/or differences among the genres.3. Appreciate the overriding creative impulse that underpins all literary

work4. Be able to explain why we study/read Literature



2. Read Texts: “The Meaning and Function of Literature” (Gillespie, Fonseca and Sanger) “The Novelist as Teacher” (Chinua Achebe)

3. Watch the Videos for Session 1 – What is Literature and Why We Study it.

4. Review Lecture Slides: Session 1 – What is Literature and Why We Study it.

5. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 16. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 1

12. SESSION 2 – INTRODUCTION TO PROSE NARRATIVE– PART ONE

12.1 Overview A narrative is simply a written or oral account detailing a series of connected events or experiences, whether true or fictitious. Most “written” narratives are often rendered in prose form. This session serves



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as a preparatory class for subsequent studies on prose writing for this course. It looks at the elements of fiction or prose narratives (plot, character, setting, point of view, style, and theme) in order for students to appreciate some of the strategies involved in developing and appreciating prose work.


1. Understand what prose writing or prose narrative is.2. Be able to explain how distinct prose writing is from the other

genres.3. Be able to identify, explain and interpret each element in the

discussion of Prose Narrative.4. Be able to apply his/her understanding of the elements of prose

fiction in discussing Pearl Rowe’s short story “Cookies at Midnight.” (Particular focus on plot, character, setting and point of view)



2. Watch the Videos for Session 3 – Introduction to Prose Narrative Part 1

3. Review Lecture Slides: Session 3 – Introduction to Prose Narrative Part 1

4. Read Chapter 3 of Recommended Text5. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 3 6. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 3 – Part 1

13. SESSION 3 – INTRODUCTION TO PROSE NARRATIVE– PART TWO (Style: Satire, Symbol, Irony, Metaphor)

13.1 Overview Understanding the author’s craft is an important tool in interpreting and appreciating the thematic as well as aesthetic merits of the literary work. This session is intended to introduce students to some basic tools in the author’s compositional craft: satire, symbol, irony and metaphor and how useful these elements of style are to the narrative.


1. Understand and be able to identify each element of the author’s craft (style) in a given literary work.



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2. Be able to evaluate these elements and determine their relevance in interpreting the narrative.

3. Understand the literary idea of UNITY OF FORM AND CONTENT i.e. the relationship that exists between the writer’s style and the message being put across in the narrative.

4. Employ the knowledge of these stylistic tools to investigate and interpret Guy de Maupassant’s “The Necklace.”



2. Watch the Videos for Session 3 – Introduction to Prose (Short- Fiction) – Part 2 (Style: Satire, Symbol, Irony, Metaphor)

3. Review Lecture Slides: Session 3 – Introduction to Prose (Short-Fiction) Part 2 (Style: Satire, Symbol, Irony, Metaphor)

4. Read Chapter 3 of Recommended Text5. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 3 –

Part 26. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 3 – Part 2

14. SESSION 4 – INTRODUCTION TO PROSE NARRATIVE – PART THREE (Theme)

14.1 Overview Understanding a story’s theme is critical to deciphering an author’s ultimate intention in a particular piece of writing. The theme in a story is its underlying message or ‘big idea’. In other words, what critical belief about life is the author trying to convey in the writing of the novel, play, short story or poem? This belief or idea is usually universal in nature; it touches on the human experience, regardless of race or language. Often, a piece of writing will have more than one theme. This session is designed to introduce students to understanding what theme is in Literature and its importance to the narrative.


1. Understand what theme is and be able to identify it in a literary work.

2. Understand the distinction or difference between Subject matter and Theme

3. Employ his/her understanding of Theme to ‘uncover’ the themes in Efua Sutherland’s “New Life at Kyerefaso”



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2. Watch the Videos for Session 4 – Introduction to Prose Narrative – Part 3- A Discussion on Theme

3. Review Lecture Slides: Session 4 – Introduction to Prose Narrative – Part 3- A Discussion on Theme

4. Read Chapter 4 of Recommended Text5. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 4 6. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 4

15. SESSION 5 – THE NOVEL – PART ONE –SOME FORMAL CHARACTERISTICS

15.1 Overview A novel may be defined as an invented prose narrative of considerable length and of a certain complexity that deals imaginatively with human experience, usually through a connected sequence of events.

It may also be said to be a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes. In sum, a novel is simply a ‘long short story’, having all the identifiable components of the short story, but exhibiting some complexity in the narration. This session is intended to introduce students to the formal characteristics of the literary Novel, with particular focus on Ama Ata Aidoo’s Changes. Students will be expected to have read the entire text of Changes before this session and the next session’s exploration of the text. Owing to the seminal nature of the text and its literary and socio-cultural relevance, students will have to demonstrate keen knowledge of the historical and social underpinnings and implications of the text. In other words, discussions will be generated by the historical setting of the text and its contemporary relevance to African society.15.2 Goals and ObjectivesAt the end of the session, the student will

1. Gain a better appreciation of what the novel is and how it works.2. Appreciate the complexity of the novel and how it “complicates”

each element of the narrative discussed in the earlier sessions that focused on short-Fiction.

3. Understand the historical antecedents and implications of Aidoo’s Changes.



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4. Gain a better insight or understanding of Achebe’s arguments in “The Novelist as Teacher” by connecting that text to Aidoo’s Changes.



2. Watch the Videos for Session 5 – The Novel – Part 1 –Some Formal Characteristics

3. Watch Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s video “The Danger of a Single Story”

4. Review Lecture Slides: Session 5 – The Novel – Part 1- Some Formal Characteristics

5. Read Chapter 5 of Recommended Text6. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the arguments Chimamanda makes

in her video presentation and also discuss the Forum question for Session 5

16. SESSION 6 – THE NOVEL- PART TWO – NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE

16.1 Overview This session delves into a discussion and interpretation of the text by investigating how the author presents the narrative. Thus, this session will discuss the elements of Prose writing: plot, character, setting, point of view, style and theme. This session will aim at getting students to appreciate the author’s adoption and use of narrative technique in the novel.


1. Understand the complexity of the plot of the Novel vis-à-vis the Short story form.

2. Gain a better understanding of how Point of View and other narrative strategies are employed in the novel.



2. Watch the Videos for Session 6 – The Novel- Part 2 – Narrative Technique

3. Review Lecture Slides: Session 6 – The Novel- Part 2 – Narrative Technique



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4. Read Chapter 6 of Recommended Text5. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 6 6. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 6

17. SESSION 7 – POETRY -An Introduction- Tone, Voice, Point of View

17.1 Overview William Wordsworth defines poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings recollected in tranquility.” Of the three main genres of literature, poetry is often the genre most students find frustrating and difficult to embrace. This session is intended to introduce students to skills critical to confidently and competently reading, responding to and writing about poetry. This introductory session would be targeted at dispelling the erroneous idea that poetry is difficult to comprehend and aim at training students in the skill of ‘unlocking’ or decoding sample poems. Particular emphasis will be given to discussing how tone, voice and point of view are employed in Paul Lawrence Dunbar’s “We Wear the Mask”. The historical motivations and implications of the text will be discussed to show how poetry can be appreciated extrinsically (analyzing poems with information or evidence outside of the text that may not be present in the text) as well as intrinsically (focusing only on evidence within the poem to arrive at meaning).17.2 Goals and ObjectivesAt the end of the session, the student will

1. Understand the poet’s craft and how poetry functions2. Be able to approach an unseen poem with some level of confidence.3. Learn the techniques in identifying and connecting figurative/literary

devices to thematic content or subject matter of the poem.



2. Watch the Videos for Session 7 – Poetry -An Introduction- An Introduction- Tone, Voice, Point of View

3. Review Lecture Slides: Session 7 – Poetry -An Introduction- An Introduction- Tone, Voice, Point of View

4. Reading Text: “We Wear the Mask”5. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 7 6. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 7



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18. SESSION 8 – POETRY – PART TWO- The Sense of Poetry: Word Choice, Word Order, Figure of Speech

18.1 Overview This session delves into a practical reading and interpretation of poetry. This session will walk students through the step-by-step process of appreciating or interpreting a poem. Students will be expected to show some critical observation and literary appraisal of Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken”.


1. Be able to interpret a poem with extrinsic as well as intrinsic information.

2. Be able to appreciate the ‘literariness’ of the poem as a way of decoding meaning.

3. Understand how metaphor, simile and the other devices that convey Imagery works within a poem.



2. Watch the Videos for Session 8 – Poetry – Part 2- The Sense of Poetry: Word Choice, Word Order, Figure of Speech

3.4. Review Lecture Slides: Session 8 – Poetry – Part 2- The Sense of

Poetry: Word Choice, Word Order, Figure of Speech

5. Reading Text: “The Road Not Taken” (Robert Frost)6. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 8 7. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 8

19. SESSION 9 – POETRY- PART THREE – The Sound of Poetry: Rhythm and Metre, Alliteration, Onomatopoeia

19.1 Overview This session continues the practice session of reading and interpreting poetry. It specifically looks at sound devices like rhythm and metre, alliteration and onomatopoeia. Niyi Osundare’s “I Wake Up This Morning” will be investigated to demonstrate how sound devices also contribute to the aesthetic appeal and literariness of the text while adding to the meaning of the poem.



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1. Understand how to identify sound devices within the poem.2. Appreciate the literary value (literariness) of the text



2. Watch the Videos for Session 9 – Poetry- Part 3 – The Sound of Poetry: Rhythm and Metre, Alliteration, Onomatopoeia

3. Review Lecture Slides: Session 9 – Poetry- Part 3 – The Sound of Poetry: Rhythm and Metre, Alliteration, Onomatopoeia

4. Reading Text: “I Wake Up This Morning” (Niyi Osundare)5. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 9 6. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 9

20. SESSION 10 - DRAMA – An Introduction- Elements of Drama: Plot, Character, Action, Conflict

20.1 Overview Drama is literature written for performance. The narrative of drama is rendered in dialogues, acts and scenes, and the purpose of performance or being acted out on a stage guides the composition of the narrative in drama. This session is intended to introduce students to drama genre with particular focus on plot, character, action and conflict.20.2 Goals and ObjectivesAt the end of the session, the student will

1. Understand what the drama genre is and how it functions2. Understand the uniqueness or peculiarity of the narrative

presented by the genre in terms of plot, character, action and conflict.

3. Understand the importance of dialogue in drama to the development of plot, character and conflict.



2. Watch the Videos for Session 10 – Drama – An Introduction- Elements of Drama: Plot, Character, Action, Conflict

3.



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4. Review Lecture Slides: Session 10 – Drama – An Introduction- Elements of Drama: Plot, Character, Action, Conflict

5. Reading Text: The Tempest (William Shakespeare)6. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 10 7. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 10

21. SESSION 11 – DRAMA – PART TWO – DRAMATIC TECHNIQUE21.1 Overview This session is intended to introduce students to the craft of the Dramatist; the tools the Dramatist employs in weaving the plot of the narrative to achieve the ultimate goal of sustaining audience interest. William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet will be investigated for evidence of how the Dramatist’s technique enables him/her to achieve this ultimate goal.


1. Understand the craft of the Dramatist and how it functions in unravelling the plot.



2. Watch the Videos for Session 11 – Drama – Part 2 – Dramatic Technique

3. Review Lecture Slides: Session 11 – Drama – Part 2- Dramatic Technique

4. Reading Text: The Tempest (William Shakespeare)5. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 11 6. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 11

22. SESSION 12 – DRAMA – PART THREE - THEME22.1 Overview This session explores theme in Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest. It focuses on reconciling the information gained from the earlier discussions on plot, character, conflict and dramatic technique to construct themes realized in the narrative. Students will be expected to argue for the themes they identify in the text by providing evidence from within the text to support their claims. Thus, keen observation of dialogue, arrangement of acts and scenes, and the development and unravelling of the plot will be crucial to this objective.



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1. Understand how a study of the Dramatic elements or compositional strategies aids in constructing an interpretation of the narrative.



2. Watch the Videos for Session 12 – Drama – Part 3 -Theme 3. Review Lecture Slides: Session 12 – Drama – Part 3 - Theme 4. Reading Text: The Tempest (William Shakespeare)5. Visit the Chat Room and discuss the Forum question for Session 12 6. Complete the Individual Assignment for Session 12

23. SESSION 13 – SUMMARY/REVIEW23.1 OverviewAs a summary session, this session is targeted at highlighting and reviewing or revisiting the essential components of the course; a summary of each of the genres studied and the texts discussed in the course will also be provided. It also aims at resolving or reconciling some thematic issues in some of the narratives studied and some issues regarding key concepts discussed in the course.



2. Watch the Videos for Session 13 – Summary/Review 3. Review All Lecture Slides



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