Course Description
This course will provide students with an introduction to a number of different
literary genres, including poetry, prose and drama. Attention will be paid
to historical, cultural, and literary contexts as appropriate.
Student Learning Goals
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
*Identify and understand various characteristics of literature;
*Apply techniques of literary analysis to short stories, plays, poetry and
novels;
*Demonstrate understanding of the social and historical contexts in which various
literary
texts have been written;
*Use literary study to develop skills for careful reading and clear writing;
and
*Read and discuss literature on the levels of plot and theme.
Required Texts
The Seagull Reader: Literature. Ed. Joseph Kelly. (ISBN: 039392677X)
Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar. (ISBN: 0060930187)
Christine Garren, Among the Monarchs. (ISBN: 0226284115)
Attendance and Class Participation
An essential part of this course is class discussion. As such, it is important
that you come to class every day on time, having read the required reading
and that you are prepared to discuss the material. Attendance in this class
is mandatory. Students are allowed three absences for whatever reason. After
that, your grade will drop half a letter grade for each additional unexcused
absence. Upon the seventh unexcused absence, you will receive a failing grade
for the class.
If you miss class or have a question about an assignment for the next class, check Blackboard to see what is due, or check with me. “I wasn’t here last time” is not an excuse for not having your work done; it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and to turn work in when it is due.
Tardiness is my most hated thing, and is unacceptable. Excessive tardiness will negatively affect your participation grade. Please arrive on time and be ready to participate in discussions.
Grading Policy
Your work in this class, in addition to participation in class discussions
and class preparedness, will be evaluated by two short (4-5 page) papers
and a take-home final exam. Detailed information on the papers and the final
will be provided in class.
Late Paper Policy
Late papers will lose half a letter grade for each day they are late, to a
maximum of six days, after which a grade of 0 will be received. Weekends
count.
No late papers will be accepted for the final exam.
Except in astonishing and extraordinary circumstances, papers will not be accepted by email.
Email
Students in this class are required to check their email account at least once
a day in case there are any last-minute announcements or disruptions to the
schedule.
Academic Integrity Policy
Students are expected to abide by the terms of the student code of academic
conduct, available in your undergraduate bulletin or online at http://studentconduct.uncg.edu.
I urge you all to examine this material, and consult me with any questions
you may have about plagiarism and academic integrity before it becomes an
issue.
Ignorance of what constitutes plagiarism is not an acceptable excuse for plagiarism. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic failing grade for the assignment. The moment you feel yourself tempted to cheat, for any reason whatsoever, please, come see me or email me instead.
Special Needs
If you have special needs, please let me know or contact the Office of Disability
Services.
The Writing Center
The University Writing Center is available for all students at any point in
the writing process. They’re quite nice and friendly there, so take
advantage of this service. The Writing Center lets me know when a student
visits, and I will take note of your extra effort.
Grade Composition
Paper 1 25%
Paper 2 25%
Final exam: 30%
Class participation 20%
Total: 100%
Class Schedule
Any changes to this schedule will be announced in class, as they become necessary.
Additional material will occasionally be distributed in class or will be available
for download off Blackboard.
T 16 August First Day of Class
TH 18 August Introduction to Fiction
SR: Tim O’Brien, “The Things They Carried” (226)
T 23 August SR: Flannery O’Connor, “A Good Man is Hard to Find”
(244)
TH 25 August SR: Joyce Carol Oates, “Where Are Your
Going, Where Have You Been?” (208)
T 30 August SR: Franz Kafka, “The Hunger Artist” (161)
TH 1 September SR: Gabriel Garcia Marquez, “A Very Old Man
with Enormous Wings” (103)
T 6 September Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar (1-62)
TH 8 September Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar (63-126)
T 13 September Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar (127-194)
TH 15 September Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar (195-244)
T 20 September FIRST PAPER DUE; Introduction to Poetry;
SR: Yeats: “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” (595)
SR: Bruce Springsteen, “The River” (566)
SR: Emily Dickinson, 712 (440)
TH 22 September SR: Galway Kinnell, “Blackberry Eating” (517)
SR: Yusef Komunyakaa, “Facing It” (518)
SR: Robert Frost, “Out, Out—” (468)
SR: James Wright, “A Blessing” (592)
T 27 September SR: Dylan Thomas, “Do Not Go Gentle. . .” (582)
SR: William Shakespeare, Sonnet 130 (561)
SR: Elizabeth Bishop, “One Art” (414)
SR: Billy Collins, “Sonnet” (435)
TH 29 September Christine Garren, Among the Monarchs (1-15)
T 4 October Christine Garren, Among the Monarchs (16-30)
TH 6 October Christine Garren, Among the Monarchs (31-49)
T 11 October FALL HOLIDAY; class dismissed
TH 13 October Christine Garren, Among the Monarchs (Whole book)
T 18 October SR: T. S. Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” (451)
Gerard Manley Hopkins, “Carrion Comfort” handout
TH 20 October SR: E. E. Cummings, “in Just-” (436)
SR: Rita Dove, “Daystar” (450)
SR: Carolyn Forche, “The Colonel” (460)
SR: Margaret Atwood, “You Fit into Me” (406)
SR: Lewis Carroll, “Jabberwocky” (429)
T 25 October SECOND PAPER DUE; Introduction to Drama
SR: William Shakespeare, Hamlet Act I (686-716)
TH 27 October SR: William Shakespeare, Hamlet Act II (716-739)
T 1 November SR: William Shakespeare, Hamlet Act III (739-769)
TH 3 November SR: William Shakespeare, Hamlet Act IV (769-791)
T 8 November SR: William Shakespeare, Hamlet Act V (792-814)
TH 10 November SR: William Shakespeare, Hamlet Acts I-V
T 15 November SR: Henrik Ibsen, A Doll House, Act 1 (814-844)
TH 17 November SR: Henrik Ibsen, A Doll House, Act 2 (845-865)
T 22 November SR: Henrik Ibsen, A Doll House, Act 3 (865-886)
TH 24 November THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY; class dismissed
T 29 November SR: Henrik Ibsen, A Doll House, Acts 1-3
TH 1 December Last Day of Classes; FINAL EXAM due in class