當代英美流行小說

臺北科技大學 114-2 學期課程，課號 359273。

課程大綱

This course aims to understand and analyze contemporary popular English fiction, including novels, novellas and stories, and their film adaptations. It seeks to enhance students’ language proficiency, cross-cultural awareness, and artistic appreciation. Through class discussions, the course also encourages students’ interest and effectiveness in acquiring language abilities and cross-cultural intelligences. Course activities include: (1) Weekly guided reading and introduction of a popular novel (or series), with selected passages read in the original text and related film scenes viewed in class; (2) Each student selects a popular novel of their choice and gives two oral presentations: one before the midterm and one before the final exam. In the final project, students present their own analysis or creative reinterpretation. 本課程目的在於了解並分析當今正在流行的英語小說(或長短篇故事)與其改編的電影,以充實同學的語文程度,跨文化素養與藝術涵養,並截由討論促進同學學習語言文化的興趣與效能. 課程進行內容為(1)教授每周導讀並引介一本(或一套)流行小說,帶領學生閱讀原文小說精彩節選並觀賞改編電影精彩片段,(2)每位同學選擇一本自己喜歡的流行小說,期中考前與期末考前作兩次口頭報告,並在(3)期末書面報告呈現自己的解析或是再創作.

課程進度

Syllabus: Week 1: Course Introduction (1) Introduction to course goals, requirements, and assessment. (2) Overview of contemporary popular fiction and film adaptation. Unit One: The World of a Child’s Heart Week 2: The Tale of Peter Rabbit 彼得兔的故事 by Beatrix Potter (1) Reading: Selected passages from “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and related animal stories (2) Film: Selected clips from an animated or live-action adaptation. (3) Focus: Childhood curiosity, mischief, and moral lessons. Week 3: The BFG 吹夢巨人 by Roald Dahl Focus: Child–adult relationships, imagination, and language play. Week 4: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 愛麗絲夢遊仙境 by Lewis Carroll Focus: Nonsense, fantasy, and the child’s perspective on adult rules. Unit Two: The Bravery of a Young Adult Week 5: The Maze Runner Series 移動迷宮系列 by James Dashner Focus: Survival, leadership, and dystopian control. Week 6: The Divergent Series 分歧者系 by Veronica Roth Focus: Identity, faction systems, and resistance. Week 7: The Hunger Games Series 飢餓遊戲系列 by Suzanne Collins Focus: Spectacle, violence, and political oppression. Week 8: The Fault in Our Stars 生命中的美好缺憾 by John Green Focus: Illness, love, and the meaning of an “ordinary” life Week 9: Midterm Presentations on the 1st half of student-chosen novel (1) Each student presents the first half of their chosen contemporary popular Anglo/American novel. (2) Content: Author background, brief plot overview, main characters, and initial themes. (3) Format: 5 minute oral presentation plus Q&A (time may be adjusted). Unit Three: The Strengths of an Adult Week 10: The Danish Girl 丹麥女孩 by David Ebershoff Focus: Gender identity, marriage, and self-discovery. Week 11: The King’s Speech 王者之聲 by Mark Logue & Peter Conradi Focus: Disability, public voice, and political responsibility. Week 12: The Silver Linings Playbook 派特的幸福劇本 by Matthew Quick Focus: Mental health, family, and optimism. Week 13: The Kite Runner 追風箏的孩子 by Khaled Hosseini Focus: Guilt, redemption, and cross-cultural memory. Unit Four: Standing Up for Social Justice Week 14: The Help 姊妹 by Kathryn Stockett (Focus: Race, gender, and domestic labor in the US South. Week 15: Hidden Figures 關鍵少數 by Margot Lee Shetterly Focus: Black women mathematicians, NASA, and structural racism. Week 16: Pan’s Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun 羊男的迷宮) by Guillermo del Toro & Cornelia Funke Focus: Fascism, childhood, and the power of fantasy. Week 17: Murder on the Orient Express 東方快車謀殺案 by Agatha Christie Focus: Justice, truth, and moral ambiguity. Week 18: Final Presentations on the Second Half and Interpretation of Student-Chosen Novel (1) Each student presents on the second half of their chosen novel. (2) Content: Development and resolution of plot and themes, comparison with film adaptation (if available), and personal analysis or creative reinterpretation (e.g., alternative ending, character diary, short script). (3) Format: 5minute oral presentation plus Q&A (time may be adjusted).

評量方式

Percentile distribution of final grades 評分百分比: 1. Attendance and participation in classroom discussions: 50% 3. Midterm and final oral reports on the novel of your choice: 15% X 2 = 30% 4. Final project (written): 20% to be handed in at the last class Details of the assessment percentage 百分比細節 1. Attendance and participation in class discussions 出席與課堂討論參與：50% （1）Regular attendance (including being on time). （2）Active participation in whole-class and group discussions on the weekly readings and film clips. （3）Short in-class tasks (e.g., response notes, group summaries, mini language/culture activities). 2. Midterm and final oral reports on a selfselected novel 期中與期末口頭報告：15% x 2 = 30% (1) Midterm oral report (first half of the novel): 15% (2) Content: author background, context, brief plot of the first half, main characters, key themes. (3) Delivery: 5 minutes per student, plus brief Q&A. (1) Final oral report (second half + interpretation/creative work): 15% (2) Content: development and ending of the novel, theme analysis, comparison with film (if any), and personal analysis or creative reinterpretation. (3) Delivery: 5 minutes per student, plus brief Q&A. 3. Final written project 期末書面作業：20% (1) A short analytical or creative paper (for example: thematic analysis, comparison of novel and film, character study, or creative rewriting from another character’s point of view). (2) Suggested length (undergraduate level): Analytical paper: about 1,500–2,000 words. Creative project: equivalent length plus a 500–800 word reflective commentary explaining your choices. Weekly Class Time 課堂時間規畫 A possible weekly structure: (1) 50 minutes: Close reading of selected passages (language, narrative techniques, cultural elements). (2) 50 minutes: Film clips + guided discussion (adaptation choices, visual storytelling, comparison with text). (3) 50 minutes: Student centered activities (small-group discussion, short presentations, group worksheets, preparation for oral reports or written projects).

教材

【遵守智慧財產權觀念，請使用正版教科書，不得使用非法影印教科書】 使用外文原文書：是 Reference參考書籍: (1)一生必讀的英文小說:經典與大眾小說導讀賞析. 陳超明 著. 台北: 聯經 出版, 2011年. (2)一本讀通世界文學名著. 王淑絹 譯.台北: 商周出版社, 2010年. (3)小說的五十堂課. 大衛.洛吉 著. 李維拉 譯. 台北: 木馬, 2006年