COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this introductory course, we will study a variety of literary genres, including fiction, drama, and poetry. We will concern ourselves with theme, language, sound, structure, technique, style, and more—with what the work means as well as how the meaning is realized in the bare bones of the text.
Student Learning Goals:
Hopefully over the course of the semester you will discover some writers and
works that change the way you think about fiction and about your own life.
At the end of the 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
Your Text:
The Bedford Introduction to Literature, Michael Meyer
Your Attendence: Since this course depends upon a full and lively classroom, we all suffer when seats are empty. Perfect attendance will be rewarded. You are allowed two unexcused absences during the semester. After that, each additional unexcused absence will negatively affect your grade. Missing six or more days (three weeks of class or more) will make it almost impossible to receive a passing grade. You will be allowed to make up missed work from excused absences only; arrangements must be made in advance of the absence. Grounds for excused absences include such events as illness or death in the family.
Tardiness is unacceptable. Excessive tardiness will negatively affect your participation grade. Please arrive on time.
Your Responsibilities:
--Read each assignment carefully, thoroughly, and come to class prepared
to discuss it. I will often give you a question to respond to for homework.
These
assignments will be collected in class and will give you a chance to formulate
your ideas about the reading before class discussion begins.
--Participate ACTIVELY in class discussion.
--Take 4 Exams, one of which might be a take-home exam in which you will
have time to formulate your ideas in a typed paper.
--Secure a working UNCG email account. You will need this to read assignments
and announcements that I post on Blackboard. If you miss a class, you must
check Blackboard to make sure the reading assignments have not changed.
Your Grade:
Participation (written assignments, pop quizzes, contributions to class discussion)—20%
Test on fiction—20%
Test on poetry—20%
Test on drama—20%
Final exam—20%
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.
Office Hours:
Please feel free to come by my office with any questions or concerns you might
have regarding your work.
Our Calendar
--These dates are not carved in stone.
Tues. 8/16—Course Introduction
Thurs. 8/18—Reading Fiction Responsively p. 23-45
Tues. 8/23—Read “A Rose for Emily” p. 90 and “Killings” p.
100
Thurs. 8/25—Read “How to Tell a True War Story” p. 557 and “Soldier’s
Home” p. 170
Tues. 8/30— Read “The Lady with the Pet Dog” (Anton Chekhov)
p. 213 and “The Lady with the Pet Dog” (Joyce Carol Oates) p. 227
Thurs. 8/25—Read “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky” p. 285 and “Miss
Brill” p. 294
Tues. 8/30—Read Flannery O’Connor: pp. 423-454
Thurs. 9/1—Read Flannery O’Connor: pp. 455-478
Tues. 9/6—Read “Barn Burning” p. 483
Thurs. 9/8—Read “A & P” p. 692, “Girl” p.
641, and Tobias Wolff handout on Blackboard
Tues. 9/13—Read “The Minister’s Black Veil” p. 393, “The
Birthmark” p. 418, and “Hawthorne on his Short Stories” p.
416
Thurs. 9/15—Tying together the elements of Fiction: Read “Summer” p.
364 and “Lust” p. 339 and Review for Exam
Tues. 9/20—Exam #1
Thurs. 9/22—Poetry, Readings to be announced
Tues. 9/27—Poetry
Thurs. Sept. 29—Poetry
Tues. 10/4—Poetry
Thurs. 10/6—Poetry
Tues. 10/11—No Class, Fall Break
Thurs. 10/13—A Thematic Case Study: Border Crossings p. 1099
Tues. 10/18—Selected Poems from MACNOLIA on Blackboard
Wed. 10/19—Van Jordan reads from MACNOLIA—EUC, 3:30 P. M.
Thurs. 10/20—No Class—Attendence at Van Jordan’s Poetry Reading
is crucial. If you know ahead of time that you will not be able to attend,
please talk to me so that we can work out a different reading for you to attend.
Tues. 10/25—Poetry Review
Thurs. 10/27—Poetry Exam
Tues. 11/1—Introduction to Drama, Fences
Thurs. 11/3—Fences
Tues. 11/8—Fences
Thurs. 11/10—Hamlet
Tues. 11/15—Hamlet
Thurs. 11/17—Hamlet
Tues. 11/22—Hamlet
Thurs. 11/24—No Class, Thanksgiving
Tues. 11/29—Exam #3
Thurs. 12/1—Bringing it all together—Wrap up and Review
Thursday, December 8—Final Exam, 12:00 noon-3:00 p. m.