I will be teaching both summer sessions again this year--Writing 1, like last year. Those classes brought me some good students when I taught Writing 2 during the rest of the year. This year I've got a new curriculum that I'm calling Transformations. It contains narratives about... what else? Transformations! I got the idea from Marly's anthology, The Beastly Bride, and thought about teaching it, but instead decided to go with my three-text usual, including 2 short literary works (it is after all a 6 week class, though it happens 4 days per week during that period) and a film. That seems to go over pretty well.
The first work is Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, then District 9, then The Metamorphosis (Kafka). I've taught the last of these a number of times, and am ready to go with it. I have never taught the others, but I spent some time rereading and researching Stevenson yesterday, and I will do that for District 9 soon.
I find that students like Metamorphosis, particularly since I emphasize its oddball humor, and they identify with the character. District 9 should be interesting, and coming from a South African background (my mother was born in Capetown and my uncle and aunt were in the ANC with Mandela, were arrested and tortured and sentenced to death; if they hadn't fled, they would have been executed), I probably am more qualified than most to talk about it.
Should be an interesting class!
4 comments:
Hah! Great idea. It sounds like fun and the sort of thing that will be sure to appeal.
The class sounds interesting and fun!
I think it will appeal and that students will learn a lot. I probably will too!
sounds great!
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