Course Description
Examination of mystery and detective fiction from British and American authors throughout the history of the genre. Considers theory about narrative and mystery, and genre fiction as social commentary.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Identify and understand varied characteristics of literature;
- Apply techniques of literary analysis to works of fiction and commentary;
- Demonstrate the use of literary study to develop skills in careful reading and clear writing;
- Demonstrate understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted;
- Demonstrate ability to write clearly, creatively, coherently, and effectively about literary texts and their social, cultural, and historical contexts;
- Demonstrate the ability to adapt modes of communication to the audience;
- Successfully incorporate constructive feedback from instructor critiques to improve subsequent drafts of written work.
- Demonstrate the ability to recognize, analyze, and apply specialized elements of the mystery genre
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Quiz on Griffith Chapter 3 | 10% |
| Mini Discussions | 10% |
| Discussion posts | 35% |
| Participation in Peer Review process | 20% |
| Your Original Mystery Story | 25% |
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 93 to 100% | A |
| 90 to < 93% | A- |
| 87 to < 90% | B+ |
| 83 to < 87% | B |
| 80 to < 83% | B- |
| 77 to < 80% | C+ |
| 73 to < 77% | C |
| 70 to < 73% | C- |
| 67 to < 70% | D+ |
| 63 to < 67% | D |
| 60 to < 63% | D- |
| 0 to < 60% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Regular participation in online discussion is an important, required component of the course. Discussions provide opportunities to:
1. demonstrate your understanding of the reading assignments,
2. expand your understanding of the readings through the process of articulating your ideas and responding to the thoughts and insights of your classmates, and
3. interact with your classmates and professor in a learning community
Each week you will be required to make at least three substantive contributions to the class discussion.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
- Strange Pictures by Uketsu
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.