Literature has long been used as a mechanism for exposing the inequities, threats, and absurdities of society. In some cases, literature was or is the only safe way to express a counternarrative to the narrative of the majority or of those in power. Salman Rushdie is one example of a contemporary author who wrote a novel in part to expose an oppressive political party. He was exiled from Iran escaping being assinated by the hitman hired by the dictator at the time. George Orwell, author of 1984, is another famous example of protest literature. 1984 is often labeled science fiction, but in many ways it was speculative fiction that was prophetic in predicting our current state survelliance with our surveilliance devices (cell phones) kept safely in our back pockets and purses.

In this class, we will explore the brave, the prophetic, the wretched, and the rejected. And you will learn about the ways literature provides a window into worlds both far and close!

Here is the official description of English 1B

University-parallel reading, writing, and critical thinking applied to literature, including poetry, drama, and fiction. Essay writing employing methods of literary analysis, academic research, and critical thinking. English 1B Course Outline of Record (the document that all 1B instructors adhere to when developing and teaching their course).

Important Dates

Summer 2022

Course Syllabus