Modern English Literature

2Grade

2.00Credits

semester not specified

Laura Huston

英語 English

Togane Campus

An exploration of British mysteries and detective short stories of the late 19th-mid 20th centuries in their social historical context, with a focus on Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and on Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple

This class meets only once per week.

The instructor will provide all readings in PDF format. There will be a short quiz on each story.

This class is based in discussion. At each class session, all students must participate in discussions. Students may discuss in Japanese or in English.

Students will be assessed for their interpretation of literature. Students will not be assessed for skill in the English language. All literature will be available in both Japanese and English.

For assessment in Session 7 and Session 13, each student may choose a spoken presentation (with slides) delivered in English or an essay in Japanese in digital format (not on paper).

Final Report is due Session 14. Final Report may be in Japanese in digital format (not on paper), or in English in any format.

Content warnings: murder; racism; sexism; class prejudice; imperialism

class introduction: modernity; Arthur Conan Doyle’s modern Britain; the detective story; Arthur Conan Doyle & Sherlock Holmes

"A Scandal in Bohemia" (「ボヘミアの醜聞」)

"A Scandal in Bohemia" (「ボヘミアの醜聞」): quiz and discussion

"The Red-Headed League" (「赤毛連盟」)

the detective story

"The Red-Headed League" (「赤毛連盟」) : quiz and discussion

"The Speckled Band" (「まだらの紐」)

"A Scandal in Bohemia" (「ボヘミアの醜聞」)

"The Speckled Band" (「まだらの紐」) : quiz and discussion

"The Final Problem” (「ホームズの最後」)

"A Scandal in Bohemia" (「ボヘミアの醜聞」)

"The Final Problem” (「ホームズの最後」) : quiz and discussion

"The Adventure of the Empty House” (「空家事件」)

"The Speckled Band" (「まだらの紐」)

"The Adventure of the Empty House” (「空家事件」) : quiz and discussion

presentations and essays

"The Final Problem” (「ホームズの最後」)

presentations in English or Japanese essays in digital format

Agatha Christie’s modern Britain

Sherlock Holmes

Agatha Christie’s modern Britain; Agatha Christie and her detectives

“The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb” (「エジプト墳墓の謎」)

Arthur Conan Doyle’s modern Britain

“The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb” (「エジプト墳墓の謎」) : quiz and discussion

“The Blue Geranium” (「青いてんじくあおいの花」)

Agatha Christie and her detectives

“The Blue Geranium” (「青いてんじくあおいの花」) : quiz and discussion

“The Companion” (「茶飲み相手」)

“The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb” (「エジプト墳墓の謎」)

“The Companion” (「茶飲み相手」) : quiz and discussion

“Murder in the Mews” (「厩舎街の殺人」)

“The Blue Geranium” (「青いてんじくあおいの花」)

“Murder in the Mews” (「厩舎街の殺人」) : quiz and discussion

presentations and essays

“The Companion” (「茶飲み相手」)

presentations in English or Japanese essays in digital format

final report

Agatha Christie

general review; make-up quizzes (再クイズ); submit final report

Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, and the detective story

Participation                30%
Quizzes                        36%
English presentations or Japanese essays 26%
Final report                  8%

For assessment in Session 7 and Session 13, each student may choose a spoken presentation (with slides) delivered in English or an essay in Japanese in digital format (not on paper).

Final Report is due Session 14. Final Report may be in Japanese in digital format (not on paper), or in English in any format.

Instructor will provide feedback in subsequent class sessions.

Instructor will provide readings in PDF format.