Distinguished Writers/New Voices
ENGL 271
Spring 2024 not offered
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Students will read a range of nonfiction and fiction as well as works by writers visiting Wesleyan for our reading series. The class will survey past and contemporary American authors who have successfully captured the artistic, social, and political stakes of the world they inhabit. We will juxtapose literary generations ("distinguished writers" and "new voices"), examine their legacies and ruptures, and explore topics such as the voice, positionality, identity, gender, and the archive. Readings include pieces by well-known writers ranging from Virginia Woolf, James Baldwin, George Orwell, Joan Didion, Claudia Rankine, Cathy Park Hong, Teju Cole, Anne Boyer, Valeria Luiselli, Robin Wall Kimmerer. On several Wednesdays throughout the semester, critically acclaimed and award-winning authors will be reading on campus. You are required to attend and respond to these readings. We will prepare for these authors' visits by reading selections of their work. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ENGL |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (ENGL)(ENGL-Creative W)(ENGL-Literature) |
Major Readings:
A range of nonfiction and fiction as well as works by writers visiting the course.
Readings include pieces by well-known writers ranging from Samuel Johnson and Turgenev to George Orwell, Annie Dillard, Virginia Woolf, Joan Didion, and David Sedaris, as well as selections from current anthologies such as Best American Essays, Best American Science and Nature Writing, Best American Travel Writing, and Best Food Writing and current work in The New Yorker.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Discussion of nonfiction and fiction. Writing exercises in several forms, including personal essays, short- and long- form narratives, profiles, critical essays or other pieces suggested by the readings. Short weekly pieces and revision exercises followed by a longer project. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Visiting writers speak on Wednesday evenings at 8:00PM, and students should be free to attend a number of these events.
Contributes to fulfillment of ENGL major requirements:
Class of 22: Techniques or Special Topic course or genre-focused course in the CW concentration, Theory and Literary Forms concentration, elective.
Class of 23 and beyond: CW requirement, CW path course (but not 300-level course or upper-level workshop), elective.
The English department highly recommends that students be enrolled in only one CW course in a semester. If you are admitted to more than one CW course, the department requests that you choose one and let the instructors know during Adjustment Period. By doing so you will be considerate of instructors and other students.
For the Writing Certificate, the course may be counted either as a craft course or as an elective. |
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