ENGL 2077 - Mystery: Introduction to Literary Studies

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab None
Course Description: This college literature course intended for all students focuses on the exploration and analysis of mystery literature and reflection on its ethical dimensions. Authors may include Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy Sayers, Raymond Chandler, Tony Hillerman, WalterMosley, and Gillian Flynn.
MnTC Goals
6 Humanities/Fine Arts

9 Ethical/Civic Responsibility

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: ENGL 1020   with a grade of C or higher OR ENGL 1021  with a grade of C or higher.

Major Content

1. Mystery fiction
2. The origin of the mystery genre
3. The Golden Age of mystery literature
4. Hard-boiled detective literature
5. Culturally diverse mystery literature
6. Ethical and justice issues in mystery fiction
7. Using primary and secondary sources

1. describe the scope and variety of mysteries.
2. identify major critical frameworks at an introductory level.
3. perform close analysis of mysteries at an introductory level.
4. employ major critical frameworks to analyze mysteries at an introductory level.
5. incorporate and document secondary sources at an introductory level.
6. articulate an informed personal reaction to mysteries and their ethical dimensions.
7. analyze mysteries as expressions of individual and human values within historical, political, and social contexts.
8. examine the dialogues about justice and range of character motivations in mystery fiction.

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