Spring 2003
MW
McIver 140
Instructor:
Cameron Golden
Office
Hours: MW 1-2, W
Office:
01E Petty
Phone:
x3294 (the best time to call me will be during office hours; otherwise, please
e-mail me)
E-mail:
cgpass@triad.rr.com
Course objectives: This class will give you an overview of the
major genres of literature: fiction, poetry, and drama. We will read a wide
variety of authors from different backgrounds and traditions while discussing
the defining characteristics of each genre. We will also emphasize the
connections between the different works we read. You will have the opportunity
to develop skills that will allow you to analyze and discuss the major
characteristics and themes of the works we study. The major goals of this class
will be for you to:
--Identify and understand varied characteristics of
literature
--Apply techniques of literary analysis to literary
texts
--Develop your reading and writing skills through
the study of literature
--Demonstrate an understanding of the different
social and historical contexts in which literary texts have been written and
interpreted
--Begin to develop an appreciation of literature
Texts: Roberts and Jacobs, Literature: An Introduction
to
Willa Cather, O Pioneers!
Policies: This course cannot succeed without your
involvement; regular attendance and participation will be critical to your
success in this class. You may miss 3
classes with no penalty, however, after the third absence your grade will begin
to drop by one letter grade per missed class. If you miss 6 classes (the
equivalent of three weeks of class), you will be dropped from the class.
A few other policies that will help our class run
smoother . . .
--Please be on time; lateness is rude and
distracting
--I will distribute an attendance sheet at the
beginning of each class period; if you do come in late, it will be your
responsibility to sign the attendance sheet
Grades: Your grade will be calculated according to the
following percentages:
Test #1 (Fiction) 15% Daily Grade 15%
Test #2 (Poetry) 15% Quizzes 20%
Test #3 (Drama) 15% Final Exam 20%
Tests: Each of the unit tests will be a combination of short answer, identifications, and essays. They will test your understanding of terminology, knowledge of individual works, and ability to draw connections between works.
Quizzes: I will give periodic
quizzes on the readings, some announced, some unannounced. The purpose of these
quizzes will be to ensure that you are keeping up with the reading. If you have
done a careful job reading over the assigned material, you will have no problem
doing well on the quizzes.
Daily Grade: I will be assessing your performance on a daily
basis, therefore it is imperative that you come to class with the assignment
completed, prepared to ask and answer questions. I will give occasional
assignments that you will need to hand in, informal in-class writing
assignments, as well as group work projects—how you approach these exercises
and activities and your performance on them will be part of your daily grade.
Participation in class discussions will be required; while I understand
shyness, I expect you to make a sincere effort to participate.
Schedule
Monday January 13: Introduction to the class
Wednesday January 15: Chapter 2 (57-69), stories by O’Brien and Walker
Monday January 20: no class
Wednesday January 22: Quiz #1; Chapter 3 (98-104), stories by Kincaid and Whitecloud
Monday January 27: Chapter 4 (135-142), stories by Glaspell and Tan
Wednesday January 29: Quiz #2; Chapter 5 (192-202), stories by Jackson and Moore
Monday February 3: Quiz #3; Chapter 6 (238-243), stories by Ozick and Poe
Wednesday February 5: Chapter 7 (288-295), stories by Chopin and Hemingway
Monday February 10: Chapter 8 (326-329); Chapter 9 (376-382), Chapter 10 (430-441), review for Test #1
Wednesday February 12: Test #1
Monday February 17: Quiz #4; O Pioneers! Part I; Whitman—“Pioneers! O Pioneers!” (handout)
Wednesday February 19: O Pioneers! Part II, chapters 1-7
Monday February 24: O Pioneers! finish Part II and Part III
Wednesday February 26: Quiz #5; finish O Pioneers!
Monday March 3: Chapter 11 (451-461), poems by Browning, Dickinson, Jarrell
Wednesday March 5: Chapter 12 (480-489), poems by Robinson,
Stevens,
Monday March 10: No
class, Spring Break
Wednesday March 12: No class, Spring Break
Monday March 17: Chapter 13 (506-513), poems by Browning,
Wednesday March 12: Quiz #7; Chapter 14 (534-542), poems by Hughes, Plath, Whitman
Monday March 24: Chapter 15 (563-572), poems by
Wednesday March 26: poems by Brooks (607), Poe (620), Swenson (627), Charles Webb (629), Cummings (651), Yeats (668), Auden (691); review for test
Monday March 31: Test #2
Wednesday April 2: Chapter 21, Before Breakfast; Hamlet (Act I)
Monday April 7: Quiz #8; Hamlet (Act II)
Wednesday April 9: Hamlet (Acts III and IV)
Monday April 14: Quiz
#9; Hamlet (Act V)
Wednesday April 16: Death of a Salesman (Act I)
Monday April 21: Death of a Salesman (Act II)
Wednesday April 23:Quiz #10; wrap up Death of a Salesman
Monday April 28: Am I Blue; review for test
Wednesday April 30: Test #3
Monday May 5: Exam Review