English
4784, Senior Seminar
Women Writers Re-Presenting Marriage
CRN 12544, MW 2:30-3:45, Shanks 242
Professor Bernice Hausman
Description from syllabus:
Paper #2: Seminar Paper: 10 page analytic research paper on one of the novels read for class. This paper is linked to the presentation (see below). Due April 19. 35 points.
Expanded description:
The seminar paper involves both interpretation and research, although I am not expecting you to do much research aside from reading from the secondary materials in the packet or assigned for class. Each student has chosen a novel to present on and write about. Your job in this paper is to choose an issue or topic that is important to the representation of marriage in the novel and write about it, using the secondary materials assigned for class. The focus of the paper is on interpreting the representation of marriage in the novel, but of necessity you will be discussing marriage more generally and using the historical, theoretical, and sociological information available in the secondary readings.
The 10 pages is a guide for the minimum expected for this paper. Please see formatting guidelines for information about words per page, font size, citations, etc.
You may use portions of your first paper in the seminar paper, but the focus of the seminar paper is on the interpretation of the novel. However, in a paper like this, the novel can be considered a kind of historical or theoretical commentary on marriage and women's issues. Thus, you may find yourself using the novel much like you would a history or theory text, demonstrating the novel's "argument" about marriage and women. This is perfectly okay, as it represents the central methodological approach of the course, a common approach in cultural studies today. It may feel odd for some of you more accustomed to traditional literary analysis.
You should plan on coming to my office at least once between March 13 and April 1 to discuss the paper and your approach to the novel. Please make an appointment if you are unable to attend my office hours (MW 1:15-2:15).