An individualized college writing and literature course, entitled "Fiction and American Society," was especially designed for a group of five nontraditional (older) undergraduate students. Through a combination of individual readings, student-professor conferences, and group meetings, the program sought to make the students familiar with a selected group of American novels and to generate critical discussion (oral and written). A list of American novels with social themes was developed, and each student prepared an individual list of at least seven titles which became a personal reading list for the course--although selections could be changed as work progressed. Materials used in the course consisted of individual novels, duplicated versions of each student's papers (generally exchanged at the weekly group meetings), brief biographical sketches of authors, a bibliographic source list and a library reserve list, personal bibliographic materials and background sources, and guide questions to direct student reading. Students were evaluated on the basis of seven or eight critical essays, each of which had to include views of at least one critical article and the student's response to that article. The students read extensively, developed their research skills, and produced well-written essays. While all admitted to feeling pressure, all but one met this challenge and felt favorably toward the course. (HOD)