ENGH 456: Topics in Literary Nonfiction

ENGH 456-001: Crime Writing: True Crime
(Spring 2014)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM W

Planetary Hall 124

Section Information for Spring 2014

Using the Library of America’s landmark True Crime: An Anthology, this course samples significant representative examples of crime reportage and commentary to explore the various ways in which, as that anthology’s editor explains it, “the human community, finding itself under assault from within, searches desperately for a framework or context to explain the apparently unexplainable.” Ranging from traditional journalism to new journalism and from personal essay to memoir and examining one of the seminal nonfiction novels, Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, this course will evaluate the genre’s ability to reflect historical eras and engage social, cultural, and even philosophical problems. Additional readings may include examples of how poets and fiction writers have responded to actual crimes, blurring the lines between nonfiction writing and other genres.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Special studies in literary nonfiction by topic, such as the personal essay, New Journalism, the "nonfiction novel," the memoir, or historical traditions of literary nonfiction. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by English. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Satisfaction of University requirements in 100-level English and in Mason Core literature.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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