Brian Crocker
Office: 136A McIver; 334-4697
bccrocke@uncg.edu
Office hours: 12:00-2:30, W; and by appointment
Texts
The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing, ed. Michael
Meyer
The Things They Carried, Tim O’ Brien
Course Description
This course is divided up into four units: the short story, the novel, drama, and poetry. We will read a variety of short stories from writers such as William Faulkner, Andre Dubus, Anton Chekhov, Flannery O’ Connor, and Alice Walker, among others. Next, we will read The Things They Carried by Tim O’ Brien. We will follow that with two plays: The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams and Fences by August Wilson. We will end with a survey of poetry. We will be reading Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and Langston Hughes, as well as many contemporary poets. We will be looking at the ways in which we as readers are asked to look beneath the surface of what is on the page. We will discuss the specific elements that distinguish each of the genres. We will also talk about why literature is important by putting it in a social or historical context.
Student Learning Goals
At the completion of this course, you should be able to:
•
Identify and understand the varied characteristics of literature
•
Apply the techniques of literary analysis to texts
•
Use literary study to develop your skills in careful reading and clear writing
•
Demonstrate an understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts
in which the assigned literary texts have been written and interpreted
Requirements
Workload
1. Participation in class discussions
2. Four exams
3. Frequent pop quizzes or short assignments
Attendance
Since this course depends on a full lively classroom, we all suffer when seats are empty. The attendance policy, therefore, is strict and absolute: Any unexcused absences will affect your grade. Perfect attendance will be rewarded. But if you miss more than a week’s worth of class (two class periods), each one of those extra absences will affect your final grade by as much as a letter grade. What is an excused absence? A doctor’s note, a university function authorized by a university official, a personal emergency or something of this nature. If you anticipate missing more than two classes, let me know. I will work with you if you have a good reason. Not communicating with me about such matters will only affect your grade negatively.
Grades
Exam 1: 20%
Exam 2: 20%
Exam 3: 20%
Exam 4: 20%
*Participation: 20%
*Note: Participation includes quizzes, assignments, and class discussion.
Tentative Schedule (All reading assignments are due on the day they are listed)
Aug. 17—Course Introduction
19—Lecture and Discussion
24—William Faulkner, p. 90; Andre Dubus, p. 100
26—John Updike, p. 692; Denis Johnson handout
31—Anton Chekhov, p. 213; Joyce Carol Oates, p. 227
Sep. 2—Ralph Ellison, p. 262; Bobbie Ann Mason, p. 655
7—Raymond Carver, p. 321; Jamaica Kincaid, p. 641; Tobias Wolff handout
9—Flannery O’ Connor, p. 430 & 441
14—Exam 1
16—The Things They Carried
21—The Things They Carried
23—The Things They Carried
28—The Things They Carried
30—The Things They Carried
Oct. 5—The Things They Carried
7—Lecture and Review
12—Exam 2
14—The Glass Menagerie, p. 1867
19—The Glass Menagerie
21—The Glass Menagerie
26—The Glass Menagerie
28—Fences, p. 1914
Nov. 2—Fences
4—Fences
9—Fences
11—Exam 3
16—Poetry (TBA)
18—Poetry
23—Poetry
25—No Class—Happy Thanksgiving
30—Poetry
Dec. 2—Poetry
14—Exam 4 (non-cumulative)
*This schedule is subject to change. I will let you in advance if there needs
to be an adjustment.