University of North Carolina Greensboro

English 104 Introduction to Literature

Fall 2002

Section: 104-10 TTH 12:30 - 1:45 NMOR 227

Instructor: Christina Scott

Office: McIver 224D Phone: tba E-mail: cscott02@msn.com

Office Hours: T/TH 10:30-12:00 and Wed. by appointment

Textbooks: Introduction to Literature, 6^th ed. Alice S. Landy and William Rodney Allen

Goals and Purpose: The first goals of this class are to foster an appreciation for works of fiction, to develop an understanding of written expressions of the human condition, and to solidify your critical reading and writing skills. To facilitate these goals we will use our textbook, daily reading the works of short fiction, poetry and drama on a critical level, identifying the varied characteristics of literature, and applying the basic techniques of literary analysis to these works. These works and our interpretation of them will lead to class discussion in both large and small groups. It is my goal that these discussions will help you develop paper topics and enhance your existing thoughts about the works.

Student Learning Goals

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

· Identify and understand varied characteristics of literature

· Apply techniques of literary analysis to texts

· Use literary study to develop skills in careful reading and clear writing

· Demonstrate understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted

General Expectations

· Courses will be broad and foundational in nature; they will not assume extensive previous knowledge

· Courses will satisfy most (if not all) of these guidelines

Procedures: We will write approximately three formal papers, but we will be producing written work during almost every class session. Good writing comes from ample brainstorming and free writing. You will also practice the method of process writing, which involves both drafting and revising as well as producing polished finished copies.

Grades:

• 10% Participation: This portion of your grade will be comprised of your willingness to be part of the every day functions of the class including: reading assignments ahead of time, being prepared to discuss readings and writings, participating in large and small group discussions, and generally adhering to the expectations of a college classroom.
• 10% Daily Work: This part of your grade will be the result of the day to day, in class and out of class writing assignments. These assignments will be graded on a pass/fail basis based solely on whether or not they were completed on time and given serious effort.
• 80% Formal Essay Writing:
• 10% Rough Drafts: 5% each for two rough drafts; one short fiction and one drama.
• 20% In-class Essay: Poetry essay: the contents of this essay will be announced one week before it is scheduled so that you may prepare.
• 50% Final Copies of Essays: 25% each for two revised and polished essays (you may choose which two of the three you will revise for this final grade.

You will be revising each of the three essays one time between the rough draft and the final copy; though there is no grade assigned, this step is mandatory and failure to complete will result in the loss of all participation points.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a serious offense in any classroom but particularly troublesome in an English class; therefore plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. While there is a philosophical difference between intentional and unintentional plagiarism, both will be punished accordingly. Please familiarize yourselves with the university’s Academic Integrity Policy found in your handbooks. We will be discussing the definition of and ways to avoid plagiarism during the course of the semester.

Attendance: Attendance is vital to your success in this class; you are an important part of our discussions, and you can learn much for me as well as from your many classmates. Attendance is mandatory in this class. Each student is entitled to two absences -- for whatever reason. Use them will (i.e. sickness, family emergency,) as you never know when the unexpected will happen. Beyond that, all absences, excused or otherwise, will be penalized. Each absence after the second will lower your grade one half a letter grade; an accumulation of more than 6 total absences will result in an F in the course. I am always open, however, to understanding extenuating circumstances.

• Tardiness will be noted and, as it is intrusive and disruptive, may affect your participation grade.
• NO in-class work, quizzes included, can be made up due to absence.
• If you are absent on the day an essay is due, you will be penalized for both the absence and the late assignment.

Other Policies:

• Students are required to keep a folder and a computer disc exclusively for English 104 in which they will store ALL work accumulated throughout the semester and turn in this folder and/or disc at the end of the term.
• All folders are to have two pockets and be made of paper -- standard folders only please, no binders, etc. Your name and course number should be written clearly on the outside of the folder and on the disc. Papers must have your name, course name and number, type of essay, and date on the first page.
• Late essays will be accepted under strict guidelines. Students will receive one lower grade for each day (excluding weekends) that the paper is late. Papers will not be accepted after one week past the due date for any reason; however, I will read them so that you may benefit from my comments.
• Late homework (excluding essays) or in-class assignments will not be accepted for any reason.
• As soon as the course website is up and running, you will be required to go there for information, updates, and handouts.

Schedule of Reading and Writing

English 104 Fall 2002

WEEK	TUESDAY	THURSDAY	NOTES
August 20/22	Introduction to the course	The Bases of Literature Writing About Literature “A Good Man is Hard to Find”
August 27/29	“The Story of an Hour” “Old Boss Wants into Heaven” “The Celebrated Jumping Frog”	“Hills Like White Elephants” “The Yellow Wallpaper”
Sept 3/5	“A Rose For Emily” “Dream-Vision”	“The Man of The Crowd” “A Very Old Man With…”
Sept 10/12	“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”	Short Fiction RD
Sept 17/19	“Sonny’s Blues” “The Man Who Was Almost…”	“The Jilting of Granny…” “The Chrysanthemums”
Sept 24/26	A Lesson Before Dying	Short Fiction Revision A Lesson Before Dying
Oct 1/3	A Lesson Before Dying	A Lesson Before Dying
Oct 8/10	Reading Poetry p. 301 Poems pp. 303-323 Elements of Poetry	Speaker in the Poem
Oct 15/17		Imagery	No class Tuesday
Oct 22/24	Sound	Sound
Oct 29/31	Various Poems	In-class Poetry Essay
Nov 5/7	Reading Drama p. 537 Contemporary Drama p. 879	The Glass Menagerie Scenes 1-4
Nov 12/14	The Glass Menagerie Scenes 5-7	The Glass Menagerie (movie)
Nov 19/21	The Glass Menagerie (movie)	Drama RD; Finish movie Elizabethan Drama p. 625
Nov 26/28	Much Ado About Nothing Acts 1,2,3		No class Thursday
Dec 3/5	Much Ado About Nothing Acts 4,5	Much Ado About Nothing (movie) Final 2 Papers Due
Dec 10/12 Dec 17/19	Tuesday - Reading Day		Finals: Dec. 11-18

*A full list of poems will be handed out before we begin the unit

** This is a tentative syllabus and is subject to change at my discretion. The student is responsible for keeping up with changing in the syllabus if he or she is absent.