Class Detail

Close reading of short stories and some novels with the aim of developing critical methods for the analysis and interpretation of prose fiction. Topics include character, plot, narrative structure, and the poetics of prose. The course topic changes; please see the Class Search for the current topic. May be repeated for credit.

From the Instructor: This course will examine how neurological difference is portrayed, and how myths about autism and disability are challenged, in contemporary novels and speculative fiction by Octavia Butler, Elizabeth Moon, Mark Haddon, Patricia Lockwood and Naoise Dolan. Expanded Course Description: While often remarked upon for its portrayal of an autistic main character, Mark Haddon?s 2003 novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time has also been criticized by autistic individuals for inaccurately depicting their experience. Haddon himself has said that his novel, which does not mention autism and or any other specific diagnosis, is about ?difference.? Examining how neurological difference is presented in works of contemporary fiction will be the focus of this course. What literary features (such as authorial voice, narrative structure, imagery and descriptive language) are brought into play to represent neurological difference and to address a neurodivergent audience in works of speculative fiction by neurodivergent authors including Parable of the Sower (1993) by Octavia Butler and The Speed of Dark (2003) by Elizabeth Moon, and in two recently published novels, Exciting Times (2020) by Naoise Dolan and No One Is Talking About This (2021) by Patricia Lockwood? What are myths about autism and how can works of fiction dispel these by creatively engaging with the writing and ideas of psychiatrists and neurologists such as Leo Kanner and Oliver Sacks?

Days & Times	Room	Instructor	Meeting Dates
MW 09:00AM-12:30PM	Remote Instruction	Chew,K.J.	06/20/22 - 07/22/22