GSC2405

Contemporary fiction

Mike Griffiths

8 points
* Second semester
* 3 hours per week (1-hour lecture, 2 hours discussion)
* Gippsland and distance
* Prerequisites: English major, GSC1401 and GSC1402 or equivalents; writing major, GSC1402 and GSC1901 or equivalents

Objectives This subject will introduce examples of contemporary fiction and using them to illustrate issues important to an understanding of recent writing. Students will develop an understanding of a range of formal developments in the novel; a sense of the significant traditions which may be used to describe and contextualise recent fiction; a knowledge of the issues particularly important in recent novels; an awareness of writing beyond the `main' areas of British and American literature; and the ability to articulate critical interpretations of texts in systematic written argument and oral presentation.

Synopsis This subject will cover a selection of significant examples of recent fiction drawn from a range of traditions (eg West Indian, British, American) and exemplifying different kinds of formal developments. Issues to be considered will include experiments in the novel form, the feminist novel, the novel of social comment and historical settings.

Assessment Two essays (2000 words each): 30% each
* Examination (2 hours): 40%
* The total length of assessment will not exceed 6000 words

Prescribed texts

Chatwin B On the black hill Picador, 1983
Ishiguro K The remains of the day Faber, 1990
Lessing D The memoirs of a survivor Flamingo, 1995
Lodge D Nice work Penguin, 1989
Morrison T Beloved Picador, 1988
Naipaul V S Guerrillas Penguin, 1976
Narayan R K The man-eater of Malgudi Penguin, 1983