English 105 - 06 Bethany Perkins
Introduction to Narrative Office Hrs. TR 11-12:30/01H Petty
TR 9:30-10:30 McIver 232 bkperkin@uncg.edu
"There exists among us by ordinary - both North and South - a profound conviction that the South is another land, sharply differentiated from the rest of the American nation, and exhibiting within itself a remarkable homogeneity. As to what its singularity may consist in, there is, of course, much conflict." - W.J. Cash, The Mind of the South 1941
So what makes the South The South? Why is it that we (presumably) think of the American South, as Cash suggests, as a region separate and distinct from the rest of the country? During the course of this semester we will investigate issues of regional identity in literature about the South and/or by Southern writers. Some questions we will consider include: What makes a text "Southern?" How does the story of the "homogenous" South differ with regard to race, class, and gender? How has the past influenced the Southern present? Why is narrative, or storytelling, so important? What changes have occurred in the South of the past 150 years? What is their impact? Where do Southern stereotypes have their basis? Has the South managed to maintain a cohesive regional identity? If so, how and why? During the course of our readings we will explore differing narrative styles, consider a variety of formal approaches, and revisit basic literary components (tone, characterization, plot, imagery, point of view, symbolism, etc.) with an eye toward how they influence, and are influenced by, regional issues. Students will be required to draw from a variety of literary, historical, social, and personal sources for discussion.
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
Required Texts: (available at Addam's Bookstore)
The Optimist's Daughter - Eudora Welty
A Lesson Before Dying - Ernest Gaines
As I Lay Dying - William Faulkner
Pudd'nhead Wilson - Mark Twain
Various E-Reserves
Course Requirements:
Paper #1 (3-5 pgs) 20% Mid-Term Exam 20%
Paper #2 (3-5 pgs) 20% Final Exam 20%
Quizzes/homework 10% Class Participation 10%
Attendance:
1. You are allowed up to four absences per semester -There is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences so use them wisely.
2. Each absence beyond four will result in a deduction of one letter grade.
3. If you miss more than 6 classes you will receive a final grade of F and be removed from the course. Attendance policies are absolutely non-negotiable.
Course Policies:
1. Tardiness - If you arrive in class after role has been called you will be marked
as tardy. Three tardies count as an absence. No exceptions. If you arrive late it is your responsibility to see me after class to let me know you are here .
2. Phones and Beepers - Don't bring them to class.
3. Late Work - Late assignments will be penalized one letter grade for each day they are late. All work is due in class on the assigned date or it will be counted as late.
4. Respect for others - We will be participating in a great deal of discussion in this class everyone will not always agree. I encourage you to be frank in your evaluations and to disagree with me and each other; however, you must do so in a respectful and considerate manner.
5. Plagiarism: Plagiarism of any sort will absolutely not be tolerated and academic penalties will be pursued to the fullest extent allowable. See the University Academic Integrity Policy in your student Calendar/Handbook or at http://saf.dept.uncg.edu/studiscp/Honor.html.
6. Participation: You are expected to keep up with all reading assignments and be prepared to discuss them in class. Showing up for class is not enough. You must engage in discussion.
The Writing Center: 101 McIver.
M-Th 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and F 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 334-3125
T 8/20 Introduction
R 8/22 "Preview to Understanding" - Cash
T 8/27 "A Southern Landscape" - Spencer
R 8/29 "An Angel in the Alcove" - Williams
T 9/3 Puddin'Head Wilson
R 9/5 Puddin'Head Wilson
T 9/10 Puddin'Head Wilson
R 9/12 Puddin'Head Wilson
T 9/17 "President of the Louisiana Live Oak Society"- Gilchrist
R 9/19 "Lillie Daw and the Three Ladies" - Welty
T 9/24 "Northerners Can Be So Smug" - Childress/ Essay #1 Due
R 9/26 "Revelation"- O'Connor
T 10/1 A Lesson Before Dying
R 10/3 A Lesson Before Dying
T 10/8 A Lesson Before Dying
R 10/10 A Lesson Before Dying *Friday 10/11 is the last day to drop with no academic penalty
T 10/15 No Class/Fall Break
R 10/17 Mid-term Exam
T 10/22 La Belle Zoraide - Chopin
R 10/24 As I Lay Dying
T 10/29 As I Lay Dying
R 10/31 As I Lay Dying
T 11/5 As I Lay Dying
R 11/7 As I Lay Dying
T 11/12 As I Lay Dying/ Essay #2 Due
R 11/14 "Talk to the Music" - Arna Bontemps
T 11/19 "The Sheriff's Children" - Chestnutt
R 11/21 The Optimist's Daughter
T 11/26 The Optimist's Daughter
R 11/28 No Class/ Thanksgiving Holiday
T 12/3 The Optimist's Daughter
R 12/5 The Optimist's Daughter
Final Exam (during scheduled exam time)
** The course schedule is subject to change at any time. If you are absent it is your responsibility to check with me or a classmate to see if there have been any adjustments.