Introduction to Literature

English 104-09 Spring 2002

Uzzie T. Cannon

Contact Me:

Email: utcannon@uncg.edu Office 01 F Petty Science Building

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15-10:30 and by appointment

Phone 334-3294 (better to email me)

Course Description:

An undergraduate survey that introduces and explores the genres of and approaches to multicultural literature through discussion and written response. PREREQUISITE: English 101 or 102

Course Objective:

This undergraduate survey will examine the elements of literature as they pertain specifically to fiction, poetry, drama. The class will explore the genres with the aim of understanding the stylistic patterns, cultural contexts, and major themes often prevalent in them. Using various critical approaches, we will read and analyze, through writing and discussion, both traditional and contemporary multicultural literature.

Course Goals:

On completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Recognize the various literary genres

2. Understand the many literary elements that construct the various genres

3. Read and interpret various types of literature with specific critical approaches

4. Develop evaluative research skills, both library and online sources

5. Actively participate in group collaboration and presentations

Teaching Strategies:

Lecture, class discussions, group work and presentation, reader response essays, exams

Text and Materials

Kennedy and Gioia Literature An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama, 8th ed New York: Longman, 2002. Gaines, Ernest. A Gathering of Old Men. New York: Vintage, 1 992~

Book Club Novels TBD

An email address checked everyday and access to my website, www.uncg.edu/~utcannon/musings.

Requirements:

Evaluation Methods:

Exams 60%

Book Club Presentation 15%

Response Essays 15%

Participation/ Daily Quizzes 10%

Exams--There will be three exams on each genre unit covered in this class. They may include multiple choice, short essay, identification, and so on. The exam dates are noted in bold type on the daily schedule. Each exam counts 20% of your final grade. Missed exams cannot be made up! You may take an exam ahead of time if needed.

Book Clubs--There will be 8 groups with 5 students in each. Each presentation should be no longer than 30 minutes long. To hold everyone accountable in the group, each member will submit a 4-5 page critical essay on the groups novel. As for the overall presentation, it should be entertaining, taking on any form you wish. Be creative!!!!!

Response Essays--For each genre unit, you will respond to a specific work that surprises, intrigues, or disturbs you and why. On occasion I may present a question that you will respond to as well. In either case, each response must be 2-3 typed, MLA style pages.

Daily Quizzes/Participation--Quizzes will be given at random and will focus on material assigned for any particular day. They will usually consist of 10 questions that draw solely from the assigned readings. Quizzes cannot be made up! You will need to attend class regularly to ensure a good quiz grade./ I will drop the lowest quiz grade. /Everyone is expected to participate in class discussions and group work so please do your reading!

Attendance:--It is a known fact that students do better in a class when they attend, so it goes with this class! Please note that you are allowed THREE (3) absences without penalty; that is it! If you are sick, a relative dies (you will have my sympathy), or what ever, I dont want to know because it will not matter. After three absences, you will fail this class. If you know that you are going to be absence when an assignment is due, it is in your best interest to turn it in ahead of time. I will not accept late work or give make-up work. Tardiness is not allowed whatsoeverthree will equal an absence. Words to the wise, come to class every meeting and definitely be on time. I cannot tolerate those that do not arrive to class on time; it really perturbs me. My time is precious and so are your fellow classmates.

Respect:--As a college student, you are now a part of a diverse group. Therefore, you must be respectful and considerate of those who do not see things the way you do. This class will involve primarily class discussion, so please have an open mind. Further, there should be no talking, steeping, or passing notes while the instructor or classmates are speaking. Please do not leave the class to smoke, talk with friends, or make unnecessary phone calls. No pagers, cell phones, or other electronics should be operated while in class. Remember, respect is a two way street. If you have any concerns surrounding these issues, I am more than happy to talk with you after class. Please note that I am at liberty to dismiss you from my class if I find your behavior offensive or inappropriate or if you are unprepared.

Plagiarism Policy:--Simple-DONT DO IT. There are two types, intentional and accidental, both self-explanatory. There are dire consequences for both. If you have any questions about citing information in your work, please ask. To be on the safe side, any time you refer to outside sources just cite the information. Skim the Academic Integrity Policy in your Student Handbook.

Writing Center:--The Writing Center is available to you (free of course) as a supplement to this writing class and other classes. You may visit the Center at anytime during the writing process. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! It is located in 101 McIver, and its hours are M-Th, 9-8 and F, 9-3 Call for an appointment or just drop in.

Tentative Schedule

Tue. Jan. 15--Introduction to the course and each other

Thurs. Jan. 17--What is Literature?

HW-Read pp738-739; 741-745;l 109-11 10How to Begin Evaluating a Poem;746-753(excluding poetry) 949-996

(note all bold face words)

Tue. Jan. 22--Poetry and Its Forms

HW-Read Tone, 757-758;My Papas Waltz,758 ;For A Lady ,759;The Chimney Sweeper,779-780;To

Danya, ONLINE TEXT (website) Persona, 763-764; Luke Havergal, 765; I Wandered..., 767; This Is Just

791; Irony--771-773; My Last Duchess, 751

Thurs. Jan 24--Basic Elements of Poetry

HW Read--Imagery 832-834, 847-848(top)

Red Wheelbarrow, 771; Root Cellar 834; Pied Beauty839; Those Winter Sundays1204;

Figures of Speech-855-878-Define all bold face figures of speech-dont be concerned with poetry itself

START RESPONSE PAPER--SEE WRITING ASSIGNMENT ON pg.900

Tue. Jan.29--Basic Elements of Poetry-part 2

HW Read-Song 879-893--Define Boldface Wordsrap, ballads(all),blues, refrain

Read Ballad of Birmingham,890; Rime of the Ancient Mariner, ONLINE TEXT(website)

Thurs. Jan.31 --Poetry or Music? RESPONSE ESSAY #1 DUE

HW--Read Sound 901-948(Bold Words)

To the Virgins..1209;Annabel Lee 1107; We Real Cool,930--

Rhythm-The Tyger 1170; The Weary Blues 1138

Tue.Feb.5-- Poetry to the Ear

Thur.Feb.7-- Groupwork--What is Poetry?

Tue.Feb.12--POETRY EXAM

HW-Read pp.3-39(Bold Words)

Also--Aesop, The North Wind, p.5

Grimm Brothers--Godfather Death, p. 8

St. Luke, The Prodigal Son p.232

Thur.Feb.14--Intro. to Fiction--Fables, Parables, Tales

HW-Read Faulkner A Rose for Emily p.28

Ellison Battle Royal p. 577

Tue.Feb.19--Short Fiction Discussion-Point of View

HW-Read--Chopin, The Story of An Hour,p.88

Gilman, The Yellow Wallpaper p.594

Thur.Feb.21 --Short Fiction Discussion-Character

HW-Read--Mason, Shilohp.669

Hurston,Sweatp.621

Tue.Feb.26--Short Fiction Discussion-Setting

HW-Read-Maupassant, The Necklace,p.177

Kincaid, Girl, p. 644

Marquez, A Very Old p. 588

Thur.Feb.28--Short Fiction Discussion--Tone and Style

HW-Read--Poe, The Fall of the House of Usher, ONLINE TEXT website

Jackson, The Lottery, p.254

Walker, Everyday Use, p.88

Tue.Mar.5--Short Fiction Discussion-Theme and Symbol

Thur.Mar.7--Brief Introduction to Critical Theory--HW Read--A Gathering of Old Men

Tue.Mar.12--SPRING BREAK

Thur.Mar.14--SPRING BREAK

Tue.Mar.19--Gaines, A Gathering of Old Men

Thur.Mar.21--Gaines, A Gathering of Old Men--RESPONSE PAPER #2 DUE

Wed. Mar.20--LAST DAY TO DROP CLASS WITHOUT PENALTY

Tue.Mar.26--FICTION EXAM

Thurs. Mar. 28--Intro, to Drama

HW-Read-Sophocles, Oedipus the King, pp.1382-1423.

Tue.Apr.2--Oedipus the King

HW-Read Shakespeare, Othello, The Moor of Venice

Thur.Apr.4--Othello, The Moor of Venice, Acts I-Il

HW-Read-Last Acts of Othello

Tue.Apr.9--Othello, The Moor of Venice, Acts V-V

Thur.Apr.11--MOVIE

RESPONSE PAPER #3 DUE

Tue.Apr.16--MOVIE

HW--Read--.TBD

Thur.Apr.18--Play TBD

Tue.Apr.23--DRAMA EXAM

Thur.Apr.25BOOK CLUB PRESENTATIONS 1 & 2

Tue.Apr.30--BOOK CLUB PRESENTATIONS 3 & 4

Thurs. May 2.--BOOK CLUB PRESENTATIONS 5 & 6

EXAM TIME--BOOK CLUB PRESENTATIONS 7 & 8