English 104-07

Approach to Literature

Spring 2003

Class: TTh 12:30–1:45, location Hours: By appointment; W 11–1

Instructor: Julie Funderburk Office: McIver 136-F McIver

E-mail: jlfunder@uncg.edu Phone: (sorry no voice mail) 334-5837

Overview:

In this introductory course, we will study a variety of literary genres, including poetry, short fiction, a novel, a play, and a screen play. We will concern ourselves with theme, language, sound, structure, technique, style, and more—with what the work means as well as how it means. This will be a discussion-based class with lectures.

Student Learning Goals:

At the end of the course, you should be able to:

Identify and understand varied characteristics of poetry, fiction, and drama, apply techniques of literary analysis to texts, and use literary study to develop skills in careful reading and clear writing. This course will be broad and foundational in nature; it will not assume extensive previous knowledge of literature.

Texts:

Do not try to substitute other editions of the text. Please inform me if the bookstores do not have sufficient stock.

Kelly, Joseph, ed. The Seagull Reader: Poems, Norton.

Kelly, Joseph, ed. The Seagull Reader: Stories, Norton.

Doerr, Harriet. Stones for Ibarra, Viking Penguin.

Williams, Tennessee. The Glass Menagerie, New Directions Publishing Corp.

Alexie, Sherman. Smoke Signals, Hyperion.

Handouts available to you online through Blackboard at http://blackboard.uncg.edu. Print copies and bring them to class with you.

Highly recommended text: Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.

Attendance:

Attendance is required. You are forgiven two absences. After that, each absence affects your grade, even if your reasons for missing the class are legitimate. After a third absence, any additional absence lowers your final grade one letter. Missing more than five classes will make it almost impossible to pass the course; logic will necessitate that you be dropped. If you are absent, you are responsible for obtaining any materials and completing any assignments prior to the next class meeting. You are responsible for information covered in your absence and for any deadlines, regardless of an absence. Tardiness will lower your grade.

Requirements:

You are required to come to class having read the material, ready to actively participate in class discussion. This is time-consuming, as I expect you to read actively and to read assigned poems at least twice so that you understand the text before we begin to uncover it further. Have comments, responses, and questions ready to share with the class. You should always bring the textbook and any relevant Blackboard handouts with you. There will be one test on short fiction, one test on poetry, one final exam, and two take-home writing assignments. There may also be quizzes. Note that toward the end of the semester we will be discussing longer works.

Grading:

Participation (contribution to class discussion, attendance, attentiveness, any quizzes) = 10%

Short Fiction Test: 20%

Poetry Test: 20%

First Writing Assignment: 15%

Second Writing Assignment: 15%

Final Exam: 20%

Late work policy: You may make arrangements to hand in an assignment one day late, and you lose a letter grade. After that, I cannot accept the work. All writing assignments must be typed or computer generated.

Writing Center:

This course requires that you write about literature, but it is not a writing course. For help with written assignments, note that the Writing Center is located in 101 McIver and is open Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You may make an appointment for individualized instruction by calling 334-3125, or you can simply drop in, bringing your work-in-progress with you. Consultants in the writing center are a valuable resource. By bringing drafts and questions to the Writing Center, you gain access to consultants who can offer a perspective, an audience, a “listening eye.”