The title of the course is a play on the linguistic convention for naming groups of related objects, like a pod of whales, a litter of kittens, a gaggle of geese, a murder of crows, or an unkindness of ravens. The origins of this convention date back to Medieval days, and since we're reading novels, I thought that a novelty of novels would be an appropriate title. But it's also a clue to the theme, with a focus on the word "novelty." We're going to read and discuss books that play with conventions, "think outside the box," experiment with genre expectations, or do something else a little unusual.
The course will be the same for both the in-person and virtual classes, which means 13 weeks for both. As I have done in past courses, I will intersperse lecture topics with book discussion. For this spring term, I’m running two sections of the same course; the virtual course will be offered on Zoom, as usual, on Wednesdays from 10:45 to 12. I will offer the same course, but live and in person, in Arsht Hall, on Thursdays from 10:45 to 12.
SCHEDULE
Feb 16 and 17--Introduction to the course: books we will read and discuss, selection of Book #6
Feb 23 and 24--Discussion of The Word is Murder, Anthony Horowitz
March 2 and 3--Lecture on the Galapagos Islands, with guest speaker, as well as the other historical references and art works included in the novel.
March 9 and 10--Discussion of Wish You Were Here, Jodi Picoult
March 16 and 17--Lecture on the underground railroad, its history, and on Whitehead's narrative style
March 23 and 24--Discussion of The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead
Week March 28 to April 1—Spring Break, No Classes
April 6 and 7--Discussion of The Midnight Library, Matt Haig, and the film The Words
April 13 and 14--Lecture on Bletchley Park and the women who worked as code breakers
April 20 and 21--Discussion of The Rose Code, Kate Quinn
April 27 and 28--Lecture on the actual "secret river" and Kate Grenville's "other" book, Searching for the Secret River, the memoir the novel is based on.
May 4 and 5--Discussion of The Secret River, Kate Grenville
May 11 and 12--Lecture
May 18 and 19--The Personal Librarian, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray