An Introduction to the Novel

This course surveys the development of the novel in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, focusing on representative works by five writers. Students will explore the social contexts, the innovations in narrative form, and the elements of fiction, including plot, narration, characters, setting, and dialogue. This course also covers key sub-genres, such as the domestic drama, the historical novel, the Gothic novel, the psychological novel, and the postwar novel. Because this is an open entry course, you have some freedom to set your own pace for the reading and the writing; however, the minimum required time to complete the course is 8 weeks.

Instructor: Dr. Vicky Simpson (please contact the instructor if you need an up-to-date syllabus)
Prerequisite: None
Recommendation: For those students not currently enrolled in a UNB program who may need additional exposure to English before enrolling, please consider taking the University Prep English course first.

Why take this course?

• Students will become familiar with a range of novels from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, studying both male and female writers and a variety of sub-genres.
• Students will deepen their understanding of the social and historical contexts of these works, the innovations in narrative form, and the elements of fiction, including plot, narration, characters, setting, and dialogue.
• Students will learn the basic principles of effective writing, particularly essay structure and development, punctuation, word choice, and grammar, and will practice these principles through online quizzes and essays.
• Students will write essays to practice their critical thinking and reading skills, to make connections between the novels, to employ new writing concepts, and to properly quote from and cite sources. Students will receive in-depth feedback to help them strengthen their analyses and improve their writing. By the end of the course, students should be more aware of the ways in which fictions not only reflect, but also make culture by justifying certain experiences, perspectives, and values, and potentially challenging how people think, perceive, believe, and act.

Course details

Students have six months from the registration date to complete the course. All course exams and/or assignments must be completed by the designated end date.

Assignments and examinations

• Online quizzes (20% total)
• Essay #1 (15%)
• Essay #2 (15%)
• Essay #3 (20%)
• Final exam (invigilated, 30%)

The exam for this course will be invigilated on an approved date using Respondus e-proctoring software (LockDown Browser). This is a free tool provided with this course. More information will be given once you have been registered.

Fees and payments

There is a $150 non-refundable/non-transferable online fee per course in addition to applicable tuition & fees. Learn more about tuition and fees and methods of payment.