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 stream of consciousness 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

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 subgenres, such as the domestic drama, the bildungsroman, the Gothic novel, the stream of consciousness novel, and the postwar novel.
• Students will explore 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.
• Students will write essays to share their own ideas and employ new writing concepts, and they will receive feedback to help them strengthen their analyses and improve their writing.

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 (10% total)
• Essay #1 (10%)
• Essay #2 (10%)
• Essay #3 (20%)
• Final Exam (50%)

Fees and payments

Online courses are subject to an additional $100 non-refundable/non-transferable online fee per course. Learn more about fees and tuition or find out about the methods of payment available.

Apply now!

If you have previously registered in this online course and wish to register again, please contact us at 453-4646 to complete the registration process.

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