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The Novel Today


Discuss major new work by today’s top writers, including emerging novelists, award-winners, and established favorites, all of whom are central to today's cultural conversation   We will investigate a variety of inventive narrative strategies, explore the psychology of numerous fascinating characters, and examine important topics within a context of changing times, changing lives and a changing world. Together we will  explore:  a cantankerous sage in the Allegheny mountains of Pennsylvania; reindeer, religion and reckless lovers in a mid-1800’s Arctic circle; rich girl and poor boy in modern Nigeria’s tense election season; a four-year-old Mi’kmaq girl  who goes missing from the blueberry fields of Maine; a family’s  tragicomedy of errors in  a changing and changed Ireland; an investigation into the relationship between genius and madness  in the troubled lives of revolutionary 20th century scientists; life, death, love , art, politics and medicine through seven decades and three generations in a South Indian state shaped by water.  Readings: Amanda Peters, The Berry Pickers; Benjamin Labatut, When We Cease to Understand the World; Hanna Pylväinen, The End of Drum-Time; Abraham Verghese, The Covenant of Water; Ayobami Adebayo, A Spell of Good Things; Paul Murray, The Bee Sting.  
 
Students should read Ayobami Adebayo, A Spell of Good Things, for the first class.

 

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You'll Walk Away with

  • Increased cultural literacy, including intercultural knowledge and competence
  • An understanding of current contemporary fiction, including its themes, meanings, and historical and cultural contexts

Ideal for

  • The curious and creative
  • Professionals who use critical thinking

2 sections

  • Summer 2024

    • Section

      001
    • Semester

      Summer 2024
    • Date

      Jun 12 - Jul 24
    • Day

      Wednesday
    • Time

      1:00PM-2:40PM
      • In-Person
    • Format

      In-Person
      • In-Person
    • Sessions

      6
    • Location

      Midtown Center
    • Section

      002
    • Semester

      Summer 2024
    • Date

      Jun 13 - Jul 25
    • Day

      Thursday
    • Time

      1:00PM-2:40PM
      • Online
    • Format

      Online
      • Online
    • Sessions

      6
    • Location

      Instructor Led
Toggle

    • Section

      3
    • Semester

      Spring 2024
    • Date

      Feb 21 - May 1
    • Day

      Wednesday
    • Time

      1:00PM-2:40PM
      • In-Person
    • Format

      In-Person
      • In-Person
    • Sessions

      10
    • Location

      Midtown Center
    • Section

      4
    • Semester

      Spring 2024
    • Date

      Feb 22 - May 2
    • Day

      Thursday
    • Time

      10:00AM-11:40AM
      • Online
    • Format

      Online
      • Online
    • Sessions

      10
    • Location

      Instructor Led
    • Section

      5
    • Semester

      Spring 2024
    • Date

      Feb 22 - May 2
    • Day

      Thursday
    • Time

      1:00PM-2:40PM
      • Online
    • Format

      Online
      • Online
    • Sessions

      10
    • Location

      Instructor Led