English 102-7 S Spring 2005
Aspects of the Hero
Abby Arnold
Office: Petty 01F
Office hours: MWF 9:15-10:00, M 1:00-2:00
abbyarnold@earthlink.net
Home Phone: 315-1231 Please do not call after 7pm
Course Objective
English 102 is designed to enhance your critical reading, writing, speaking
and thinking skills. These goals will be achieved through careful reading,
formal and informal writing, two presentations, group activities and class
discussion. Our course readings focus on aspects of the hero in fantasy
novels, film and TV, paying particular attention to issues of gender and
the construction of the hero identity. Although we will primarily be reading
literature designated for adolescents, and watching popular film and TV
shows, you are equally responsible for the scholarly essays on these texts
which are posted on e-reserve and for developing your own critical responses
to the questions generated by our study of these texts. That is to say,
our primary texts may seem “easy” but our critical investigation
of them will not be. The reading load in this class is heavy.
Learning Goals
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
• Apply critical academic standards to analysis of popular culture
• Interpret and evaluate argumentative discourse, including writing and
speech
• Construct cogent arguments
• Communicate those arguments clearly, coherently and effectively
• Locate, synthesize, and evaluate relevant information
• Demonstrate an understanding of the aims and methods of intellectual
discourse
• Weigh evidence and evaluate the arguments of differing viewpoints
Speaking Goals
•
To enhance learning through active engagement in oral communication
•
To improve a student’s ability in oral communication
Texts
The Sword in the Stone, the first section from The Once and Future
King,
by TH White
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Book Club reading, to be determined in
class
Various readings on e-reserve
Various film and TV clips. If you miss the viewing in class, you are responsible
for obtaining and watching the material outside of class.
A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking (suggested).
Course Requirements
2 Weekly Reading responses on Blackboard 15%
1 research essay which will also be the basis of a class presentation but
is graded separately 10%
1 Analysis essay 20%
Note: All essays are to go through at least 2 drafts. No grade will be
final until turned in at the end of the semester.
1 individual presentation based on your research paper 10%
Book Club, including: 30%
Participation
Response papers
1 Group presentation based on your book club reading
Group conference participation
Class participation 15%
Note: Grades for individual presentation will be automatically raised
by one grade (B to B+, B+ to A-) if the student visits the Speaking Center
and works
with a consultant before the presentation. Plan ahead for this, do not
go
in the day before the assignment is due.
Attendance Policy
Regular, prepared attendance is vital to your success in this class. You
are allowed 3 absences in this class. Any other may affect your grade.
Please clarify with Abby as soon as possible if you have an emergency or
documented illnesss. You are responsible for all class information and
activities that occur during your absence, including readings, Blackboard
postings and schedule changes. After an absence, make sure you come to
the next class session fully prepared.
Portfolio
At the end of the semester you will turn in a final portfolio that includes
all drafts and a final revision of your two formal writing assignments,
excerpts from your Blackboard postings and a reflective letter. More information
on this project will be given later.
Please make sure to regularly check the email address given through Blackboard. This is how I will communicate with the class, for example if I need to cancel class.
The University Speaking Center is located in the basement of the McIver Building. They provide consultants (usually fellow students) to work with you on your individual and group presentations. Call 256-1346 to set up an appointment.
The University Writing Center is located in McIver 101. It provides students
consultations with trained writing instructors. Drop in or call 334-3125
to make an appointment.
Syllabus
English 102
Abby Arnold
Please note: Each week you will post on Blackboard 2 responses to that week’s readings and activities. Each response will be approximately 10 minutes worth of writing. The first response will be your own thoughts on any class reading. Your second post will be a response to another student’s entry, specifically discussing the issues that student raises. Responses are due by the end of the day Saturday, but I encourage you to post your personal entry by Wednesday to give other students time to respond. Note: Unless you clear it with me first, or have a genuine emergency, I do not accept late posts for a grade. If the majority of posts don’t come online until the last minute I will assign earlier deadlines. You are responsible for these, and all changes to the syllabus.
Week One
M Jan 10 Class Introduction
W Jan 12 Begin Reading Sword in the Stone in The Once and Future King
Bring Public Speaking Style manual to class
F Jan 14 Joseph Campbell E-reserve Myth and Dream
Week 2
M Jan. 17 MLK Birthday, No class
W Jan 19 Sword in the Stone
F. Jan 21 Sword in the Stone E-reserve: “Natural Histories” Debbie Sly.
Week 3
M Jan 24 Begin reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
E-reserve: “The Hero’s Journey,” Laurence Cope
In class: Star Wars
W Jan 26 E-reserve: “Star wars, Star Wars and American Political Culture.” Meyer
In class: Star Wars
F Jan 28 Discuss Star Wars, Campbell’s hero’s journey, readings
Week 4
M Jan 31 Book Groups Meet during class time. 1-2 page response papers, plus
3 discussion questions due in Abby’s office at end of class time.
W Feb. 2 Star Wars presentations and papers due.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
F Feb. 4 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Week 5
M Feb. 7 E-reserve: “Harry Potter: a Return to the Romantic Hero” Nikolajeva
Harry Potter presentations
W. Feb. 9 E-reserve: “Blue Wizards and Pink Wizards,” Heilman
Harry Potter presentations
F Feb. 11 Harry Potter papers due. Begin reading The Golden Compass
Week 6
M Feb. 14 E-Reserve: “Holy Butt-Kicking Babe,” Stafford.
“Cuz the Black Chick Always Gets It First” Gill
in class: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
W Feb . 16 E-reserve: “Staking her Claim.” Early
E-reserve: “The Female Hero.” Pearson and Pope
F Feb. 18 Book Groups meet during class time. 1-2 page response papers, plus 3 discussion questions due in Abby’s office at end of class time.
Week 7
M Feb. 21 Female Hero presentations and papers due. Golden Compass
W Feb. 23 Golden Compass
F Feb 25 Golden Compass
Week 8
M Feb. 28 E-reserve: “Dust and Daemons,” Chabon. Golden Compass
Presentations
W March 2 E-reserve: TBA Golden Compass Presentations
Golden Compass papers due
F March 4 Book Groups meet during class time. 1-2 page response papers, plus 3 discussion questions due in Abby’s office at end of class time. If you choose to meet earlier, email Abby your response papers at the time of your group meeting.
Happy Spring Break
Week 9
M March 14 E-reserve: “The Hero’s Journey” Pearson
Begin reading Life of Pi.
W. March 16 Last Day to Drop ClassesWithout Penalty
F March 18 Book Groups meet during class time. Be finished with your book,
prepare for conference with Abby next week. 1-2 page reponse paper, with ideas
for group presentation, plus discussion questions, due in Abby’s office
at end of class period.
Note: No Blackboard responses due this week.
Week 10
M March 21 Group conferences. No class
W March 23 Group Conferences. No class.
F March 25 No Class.
Note: No Blackboard responses due this week.
Week 11
M March 28 Life of Pi.
W. March 30 Life of Pi.
F April 1 Life of Pi.
Week 12
M April 4 readings TBA. Life of Pi presentations and paper due
W. April 6 readings TBA. Life of Pi presentations
F April 8 1st draft Essay 2 due. Bring copies for workshop group
Week 13
M April 11 2nd Draft Essay 2 Due
W April 13 Hero as used in popular culture today. Readings TBA
F April 15 Hero papers and student presentations
Note: Last week for Blackboard Discussions
Week 14
M April 18 Group presentations all week. Reading TBA.
W April 20
F April 22
Week 15
M April 25 Group Presentations all week. Readings TBA
W April 27
F April 29
Monday May 2 Last day of class.
Tuesday May 3 No Class--Last Day to turn in revised copies of essays