In this course, we will use the general subject, the "battle of the sexes," to explore literary genres and themes. Discussing authors such as Poe and Shakespeare, we will delve into poetry, prose, and drama. In addition, starting with the medieval period, particularly the Wife of Bath, we will move towards the modern day and from the British Isles to the American shores. When you complete this course, you 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.
Texts:
Ereserves (all ereserves are available on blackboard)
The Importance of Being Earnest
Taming of the Shrew
Pride and Prejudice
Course Requirements:
Participation:
You should make every effort to make your voice heard through your daily participation
in class and through your writing assignments. You will not be able to discuss
effectively the assignments and novels if you do not read the material and
bring the reading to class (including ereserves). In addition, you must turn
in 3 questions per class period and be prepared for any activities. Your
questions should pertain to some aspect of the reading that caught your attention.
The questions should be thought provoking and inquisitive because I want
to know what you are curious about in the text.
Quizzes:
Throughout the semester, you will have random quizzes. Please be prepared.
Discussion Leader:
During the semester, you will be responsible for leading one class discussion
on the reading for that day. You will receive a handout for this assignment
later in the semester.
Formal Papers:
You will write a formal paper this semester. The topic for the paper will come
from your common place books, questions, and discussions. In addition, we
will do short writing assignments leading up to each formal paper. Late or
incomplete papers will not be accepted.
Common Place Books:
Your common place book is a place for you to collect significant passages from
your readings and reflect on them. You will be required to make one common
place book entry per week including the specific passage or quote you would
like to discuss and a two page to three page (approximately 700 words or
more) response. This is a place for you to explore your reaction to specific
passages or occurrences, and this is not a time to vent about whether or
not you like the text. You will do six common place book entries throughout
the semester. A handout will be given.
Attendance:
Daily participation and attendance are requirements for this course. Discussions
and activities that are missed cannot be made up. Since attendance is crucial,
you are allowed three absences before action will be taken. On your fourth
absence, your grade will be reduced by 33 points (a third of a letter grade)
and so on. After six absences, you will fail the course. In addition, being
late to class is rude and disrespectful to your fellow students. Two late entries,
ten minutes or more, count as one absence. If you miss class, it is your responsibility
to email me or a classmate about missed activities. In addition, you should
come prepared to the class that follows your absence.
Grading:
Common Place Book 300 (6x50)
Final Exam 200
Discussion Leader 100
Participation 100
(including but not limited to daily readings, questions, and activities)
Quizzes 200
1 Formal Paper (Midterm) 100
A 1000-950 C+ 799-770 D- 639-600
A- 949-900 C 769-740 F 599-0
B+ 899-870 C- 739-700
B 869-840 D+ 699-670
B- 839-800 D 669-640
? Grades will be available on Blackboard
Plagiarism:
Any type, form, or method of plagiarism will not be tolerated. Don’t
do it. It’s not worth it! For definitions and punishments see the Student
Academic Handbook.
Students with Disabilities:
If you have a disability that could affect your performance in this course
or for which you need accommodation, please contact me and/or the office of
Disability Services at 334-5440.
Additional Information and Resources:
Blackboard: http://blackboard.uncg.edu
Writing Center: http://www.uncg.edu/eng/writingcenter
101 McIver
Call 334-3122 for more information or to make an appointment
Weekly Schedule (Subject to Change)
August 15 Introduction; syllabus
August 17 Activity
August 19 Learning to Read and Analyze Poetry
August 22 Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale
August 24 Nymphs Reply to the Shepherd; Passionate Shepherd to His Love
August 26 Sonnet selections
August 29 The Flea; Good Morrow; The Sun Rising
August 31 To the Virgins to Make Much of Time; To His Coy Mistress
September 2 No Class
September 5 No Class Labor Day
September 7 Mower Poems
September 9 Eloise to Abelard
September 12 My Dear and Loving Husband
September 14 Portuguese Sonnets
September 16 Pyphroria's Lover; Last Duchess
September 19 The Raven
September 21 Wild Nights, Wild Nights; Stop All the Clocks
September 23 Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
September 26 The Taming of the Shrew
September 28 The Taming of the Shrew
September 30 The Taming of the Shrew
October 3 The Taming of the Shrew
October 5 The Taming of the Shrew
October 7 The Taming of the Shrew; Midterm Paper Due
Last Day to Drop Courses without Academic Penalty
October 10 Fall Break
October 12 Importance of Being Earnest
October 14 Importance of Being Earnest
October 17 Importance of Being Earnest
October 19 Importance of Being Earnest
October 21 Importance of Being Earnest
October 24 What We Talk about When We Talk about Love
October 26 Hints to young wives; Revolt of mother
October 28 How Celia changed her mind
October 31 Rose for Emily
November 2 Story of an hour; The Storm
November 4 Shiloh; The Birthmark
November 7 What Means Switch
November 9 Pride and Prejudice
November 11 Pride and Prejudice
November 14 Pride and Prejudice
November 16 Pride and Prejudice
November 18 Pride and Prejudice
November 21 Pride and Prejudice
November 23 Thanksgiving Break
November 25 Thanksgiving Break
November 28 Pride and Prejudice
November 30 Finish Pride and Prejudice
December 2 Review
December 5 Review
December 6 Reading Day
Final Exam TBA