Fall 2004
M, W, F (11:00 AM- 11:50 AM) in Curry 312
Instructor: Marcus Slease
Office: McIver 20C
Office Hours: M,W 1-2 PM
Email- mdslease@uncg.edu
Description:
This class is centered on the premise that reading, writing, and discussion are essential tools in developing the critical and analytical habits of mind that are fundamental to becoming an active and effective participant in the intellectual life of our culture. In particular, this class will give you opportunity to:
• Read, write, and think critically
• Acquire useful strategies for generating, revising, editing, and proofreading your texts
• Interpret and evaluate various kinds of literature
• Construct and communicate sound arguments
• Understand and use the conventions of writing for the academic community
Required Texts
1) Literature for Composition (6th editition)
Edited by Sylvan Barnet, William Burto, William E. Cain, Marcia Stubbs
2) movies (you are not required to purchase these. We will watch them in class)
Amelia
American Beauty
Eyes Wide Shut
Course Requirements:
In-class Writing
You will write responses to the readings and in-class discussions. These informal writings will serve as a springboard for you formal essays. I may ask to see your in-class writing. If you do not participate in all the writing activities, your participation grade will be docked.
Essays
All final essays run 5-7 pages in length, 12 font (times new roman or courier), to receive credit. Any late papers, including informal writing assignments, will go down one full letter grade for each day it is late. You will write three formal papers:
1) explication and analysis essay (poem or short story)
2) a critical essay using a movie, a short story, poem, or play and at least
two secondary sources
3) final portfolio with reflective essay (in place of final exam)
Discussion
Since this class is centered on discussion, it is vital that you come to class prepared to participate. Make sure you have carefully read the assigned reading and are ready to ask questions and make comments. You will have the opportunity to participate in both small and large groups.
Group Presentations
You will give a 15-20 min presentation and lead a discussion on the assigned readings with a partner. Your presentation may require some library research. I will pass around a schedule in advance.
Evaluation
Explication and Analysis Essay (approx. 25%)
Critical Essay (approx. 25%)
Final Portfolio (approx. 25%)
Oral Presentation and participation (approx. 25%)
Other Requirements
Attendance: It is imperative that you show up to class, both physically and mentally every class period. I realize emergencies may come up which prevent you from attending class. That is why you have three freebies. It is also important to attend class on time.
Two tardies equals one absence.
4 absences = highest grade b
5 absences = highest grade c
6 absences = highest grade c-
More than 6 absences = consider withdrawing or risk failing the class
Conferences: The purpose of conferences is to give you individual time to talk about your reading and writing with the instructor. Take charge of these conferences; they’re designed to address your needs. Bring your questions, ideas, and your draft to the conference.
Late work: If you do an assignment after the fact, the reason for doing it is often lost. As with any professional environment, if you miss class, the work is still due that day. Give it to me early or have someone drop it off for you. If an emergency arises, contact me as soon as possible, hopefully before class, to see if we can work out an arrangement.
General Information
Writing Center: The writing center is a free resource for all writers in all courses and at any stage of a writing project. In addition to books and handouts on writing-related topics, the Center provides individualized guidance from undergraduates and graduate writing assistants. The assistants are prepared to provide assistance in reading, revising, and editing. Writers can bring a draft or just an assignment and explore a topic. The more writers know what questions they have, the more helpful assistants can be.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is intentionally or knowingly representing the words of another as one's own in any academic exercise. This is a SERIOUS offense punishable by failure or even expulsion from school. I will not tolerate any act of plagiarism in this course.
General Expectations: This course will be broad and foundational in nature; it will not assume extensive previous knowledge. In addition, the skills taught will prepare you for understanding and responding appropriately to the various rhetorical situations in any discipline.
Class Schedule (subject to change)
Part One: Analysis and Explication
M, Aug 16: intro
W Aug 18: Critical reading and writing (read pg. 1-pg. 37 in Literature for Composition)
F, Aug 20: Explication (read pg. 37-pg. 57 in Literature for Composition)
M, Aug 23: Analysis (read pg. 57-pg. 72 in Literature for Composition)
W, Aug 25: Analysis (read pg. 72- pg. 84 in Literature for Composition)
F, Aug 27: Peer Review Explication and Analysis Paper (Bring four copies of your essay)
M, Aug 30: Explication and Analysis paper due (Watch American Beauty)
Part Two: Gender Roles
W, Sep 1: watch American Beauty
F, Sep 3: watch American Beauty
M, Sep 6: NO CLASS. LABOR DAY
W, Sep 8: oral presentation # 1: American Beauty
F, Sep 10: read pg. 698-pg. 724 oral presentation # 2
M, Sep 13: read pages pg. 746-pg. 758 oral presentation # 3
W, Sep 15: read Parker (pg. 758), Hayden (pg. 760), Roethke (pg. 762), Olds
(pg. 764), Silverstein (pg. 766), Meehan (pg. 771) oral presentation # 4
F, Sep 17: read Ibsen pg. 774-pg. 824 oral presentation # 5
M, Sep 20: read case study on Barbie (pg. 824-pg. 831) oral presentation # 6
Part Three: Innocence and Experience
W, Sep 22:) read Joyce, Hughes, and Updike (pg. 842-858)
Oral presentation # 7
F, Sep 24: read Blake, Hopkins, Housman, Cummings and Gluck 9pg. 863-870)
M, Sep 27: watch Amelie
W, Sep 29: watch Amelie
F, Oct 1: discuss Amelie oral presentation # 8
Part Four: Love and Hate
M, Oct 4: read Shonagon, Cofer, Menand, Sullivan (pg. 599-610)
W, Oct 6: read Faulkner and Hurston (pg. 621-641) oral presentation # 9
F, Oct 8: read Raymond Carver and commentary (pg. 641-663) oral presentation # 10
FALL BREAK. NO CLASSES OCT 11-12th
W, Oct 13: read poems pg. 665-670)
F, Oct 15: read poems pg. 670-pg. 681)
M, Oct 18: read poems pg. 681-689
W, Oct 20: read Wasserstein (pg. 691-698)
F, Oct 22: watch Eyes Wide Shut
M, Oct 25:watch Eyes Wide Shut
W, Oct 27: watch Eyes Wide Shut
F, Oct 29: discuss Eyes Wide Shut oral presentation # 11
Part Five: Word and Image
M, Nov 1:read pg. 1195-1199
W, Nov 3: read pg. 1200-1203
F, Nov 5: read pg. 1204-1209
M, Nov 8: read pg.. 1210-1219
W, Nov 10: read sample student essay (starting on pg. 1194 continuing on pg. 1219)
F, Nov 12: field trip to the gallery
M, Nov 15: bring in ads to analyze
W, Nov 17: bring in ads to analyze
F, Nov 19: peer review critical essay (bring 4 copies)
M, Nov 22: critical essay due
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY: November 24-November 28th
M, Nov 29: workshop for reflective essay
W, Dec 1: workshop for portfolio
F, Dec 3: workshop for portfolio
M, Dec 6: Final discussion. Turn in FINAL PORTFOLIO