English 110 – Introduction to Literature

Spring 2010 Section 028

MWF 3:30-4:45

Morton Hall 210

 

Instructor: Ms. Ashley Bissette

E-mail: bissettee@uncw.edu  

Webpage:  http://people.uncw.edu/bissettee

Office: MO 103B                                                                                               

Office Hours: MW 2:00 – 3:00 and by appointment                                

Office Phone: 910-962-2690, Cell Phone: 910-232-3652

 

 

 

COURSE OVERVIEW

 

Required Texts and Materials:

·         Kennedy, X.J. and Dana Gioia.  Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. 11th ed. Portable ed. New York: Longman, 2009.

·         Atwood, Margaret. The Edible Woman

·         Microsoft Word (If you do not have access, you can use “Tealware” offered by UNCW - http://uncw.edu/itsd/services/hardware/tealware.html)

·         A saving device such as a flash drive

·         A 2 pocket folder for responses

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to reading and writing critically about literature in a variety of genres including short fiction, poetry, drama, and the novel.

 

Course Objectives:

Students should develop skills in analyzing, presenting, and defending interpretations and in writing thoughtfully about literary texts.  Furthermore, students should develop an appreciation and an understanding of literature achieved through practice in asserting and supporting their interpretations of a literary work.

 

Course Requirements:

Quizzes – 10 points

Participation – 10 points

Responses – 15 points

Analysis Essay – 20 points

Midterm Exam – 20 points

Final Exam – 25 points

 

Final Grading Scale:

93-100 points – A

90-92 points – A-                

87-89 points – B+               

83-86 points – B 

80-82 points – B-

77-79 points – C+               

73-76 points – C

70-72 points – C-

67-69 points – D+

63-66 points – D

60-62 points – D-

Below 60 points – F

   

 

TECHNICAL THINGS

 

Blackboard:

We will be using Blackboard quite a bit in this course. This is where important materials for the course will be posted. In addition, you’ll find dates for readings and assignments on the Blackboard Calendar. For instructions on how to log in, go to http://www.uncw.edu/itsd/help/instructions/BlackBoardVistaLoginInstructions.html

 

Online Support: 

If at any point during the semester you have problems with Blackboard, you can receive assistance from the Technology Assistance Center. The email address is tac@uncw.edu and the phone number is 910-962-HELP (4357).  If you do email the TAC, be sure to put “Blackboard” in the subject line.  There is also a very useful online support center at http://uncw.edu/bbsupport.  

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Announcements:  

For this course, you are required to access Blackboard often.  I encourage every student to click on “Announcements” under “Course Tools” each time they log on to Blackboard, as that will be the first place I will post important information such as changes in the schedule of assignments and answers to common questions.  

 

Email / Phone:

Sometimes, I will send information via campus email, so you should check your email often as well. All students will be responsible for knowing this information. “I forgot to check my email” is not an excuse. Email is also the best way to contact me if you have questions throughout the course.  While I do check my email often, students should be aware that I usually only check email Sunday – Thursday before 6:00pm.  Therefore, it is a good idea to work on assignments ahead of time in case you have questions.

My cell phone number is listed at the top of this syllabus.  Students are welcome to call or text this number in cases when email is insufficient.  However, I do ask that students only call or text Sunday – Thursday between 10:00am and 6:00pm.

   

Office Hours:  

I will have office hours on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.  If you’d like to discuss something with me during office hours, you have a few options.  

1.       See me in person: Morton Hall 103B

2.      Office Phone:  910-962-2690.  

3.      Email: bissettee@uncw.edu.  

4.      Ms. Bissette’s Virtual Office on the Blackboard Course Homepage

*If you are not available to contact me during office hours, you can set up an appointment with me.

 

 

WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS

   

Quizzes:  

Quizzes will be given on a regular basis. These quizzes will cover material from the weekly readings AND from lectures.  If you come to class late or are absent and miss a quiz, you will not be allowed to make it up.  However, I will drop the lowest quiz grade at the end of the semester.

 

Responses: 

Another portion of your grade will be based on short, informal responses.  These responses should be typed, and should be kept in your 2 pocket folder. Refer to the schedule of assignments at the end of this syllabus for daily prompts.  You should always come to class with your responses, as I will often call on students randomly to share.  You will also have the opportunity to share your responses in small groups. While responses will not be due on Fridays, you should still bring your response folder to class.  Responses will be collected at the end of the semester.

 

 

ESSAYS AND EXAMS

 

Analysis Essay:  

You will be writing one analysis essay for this class.  Essays should be emailed to my campus email address as a .doc or .docx attachment.  Essays that are not turned in as a .doc or .docx attachment will be considered late until they are turned in correctly. All deadlines in this class are firm. Be sure to plan wisely and save all work in at least two places.  For each day that an assignment is late, the grade for that assignment will be reduced by 3 points.   

 

The Writing Center:

I encourage all students to obtain online help from the Writing Center for their essays.  http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/writing_newconsultation.htm

 

Grading Procedure:

I typically take a maximum of two weeks to return essays.  Regardless of how long it takes, I will always have essays returned before you are expected to turn in the next assignment.  Essays will be returned with comments via campus email.

 

Exams:

This course also requires a midterm and a final exam.  Exams will be made up of short answer and essay questions. You must take these exams on the dates scheduled.  I will not give make-ups unless there are serious extenuating circumstances. 

 

 

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

 

Attendance: 

Attendance in this course is mandatory.  You may miss 3 classes without penalty.  After that, your grade will be reduced by 3 points for each missed class, regardless of the reason.  I recommend that you save your absences for when you really need them, as I do not make distinctions between excused and unexcused absences.  Arriving to class late (or leaving early) two times will count as one absence.  Any student with perfect attendance at the end of the semester will receive an extra 2 points on their final grade.  If you do miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed from another classmate.  I will not respond to any email that asks what was missed in class on a particular day.  In the space below, write down the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three people near you.

 

1.  _______________________________________________________________________________

 

2.  _______________________________________________________________________________

 

3.  _______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Lateness: 

Coming to class late is disruptive and disrespectful.  You should therefore be on time to every class period.  Anyone who arrives to class after roll has been called will be considered late.  Two late arrivals will count as an absence.  This policy also applies to students leaving class before it has been dismissed.

 

Classroom Behavior: 

It is imperative that the classroom be an environment that lends itself to discussion and learning.  My expectation is that all students will behave in a way that is respectful to everyone.  Unless specifically asked, do not use laptops in the classroom.  You should also not use cell phones, ipods, or other distracting objects during class time.  Consistently disruptive students will be asked to leave the classroom, and will be counted absent for the day.

Participation:

Participation in this course is worth 10 points of your final grade.  I will judge participation on the following: 

·         Evidence of having read the required material

·         Participation in discussion, workshops, and other class activities

·         Attentiveness during class

·         Coming to class prepared.  This means having completed all assignments before the class period, and bringing all necessary materials.  For each class meeting, you should bring the following: 

o    Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama.

o    This syllabus

o    2 pocket folder for responses

o    Pen and paper for taking notes

o    Other materials as requested

 

OTHER POLICIES

 

Disabilities:

If you have a disability and need special accommodations, you should let me know within the first week of classes.  You will also need to register with Disability Services for proper documentation. The phone number for Disability Services is 910-962-7555.

   

Academic Dishonesty:

Academic Dishonesty is unacceptable and is grounds for failure for this course. All students are responsible for knowing the guidelines listed in this UNCW Academic Honor Code: http://www.uncw.edu/policies/documents/03_100FINALHONORCODE_Aug2009.pdf