The Social Reform Novel

There is a long tradition of concern in American fiction with neglected and emerging social problems. Focusing on different historical periods, with an emphasis on the present day, this course will examine the way that writers have used their work to address race relations, inequality, homelessness, health care reform, climate change, and other major public issues. In true interdisciplinary fashion, a combined literary/political framework will guide our approach to these texts (and, in some cases, supportive material in popular media and film) as we consider how authors both document and dramatize their subject matter.

Required: John Grisham, The Street Lawyer (Vintage, 2010; ISBN 978-0385339094; and Meg Little Reilly, We Are Unprepared, ISBN 978-0778319436.

After 41 years on staff, David Rochefort recently retired from my position as full-time member of the Political Science Department at Northeastern University. He taught courses in public policy analysis, health and social welfare policy making, and research methods to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students, as well as a seminar on literature and contemporary social issues for the university honors program.