English 110 – Introduction to Literature

Fall 2009 Section 006

MWF 12:00 – 12:50

Morton Hall 201

 

Instructor: Ms. Ashley Bissette

E-mail: bissettee@uncw.edu  

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

Office: MO 103B                                                                                               

Office Hours: MW 1:00 – 2:00 and by appointment                                

Office Phone: 910-962-2539, 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. 9th ed. Portable ed. New York: Longman, 2005.

·         Atwood, Margaret. The Edible Woman

·         Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (If you do not have access to these, 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:

Class Participation – 10 points

Quizzes – 10 points

Responses – 15 points

Analysis Essay – 15 points

Explication Essay – 15 points

Midterm Exam – 15 points

Final Exam – 20 points

 

Final Grading Scale:

93-100 points – A                73-76 points – C

90-92 points – A-                 70-72 points – C-

87-89 points – B+                67-69 points – D+

83-86 points – B                  63-66 points – D

80-82 points – B-                 60-62 points D-

77-79 points – C+                Below 60 points – F

   

 

TECHNICAL THINGS

 

Blackboard:

We will be using Blackboard quite a bit in this course.  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 will usually not check email on Saturdays or after 6pm Sunday through Friday.  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.  Please do not call or text this number on Saturdays or after 6pm Sunday through Friday.

 

FAQ:

If you have general questions about the course or specific assignments, you should post them to the FAQ on the Blackboard Homepage.  This way, if other students have the same question, they will be able to see my answer easily.  If you have questions that pertain only to you, please email me at my campus email address.

 

Office Hours:  

I will have office hours on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 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:  910-962-2539.  

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

 

Essays:  

You will be writing two formal essays for this class.  You can find learning modules for each essay assignment on the Blackboard Home Page.  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.

 

The Writing Process:

For each essay, we will have in-class peer editing before the due date.  Failure to attend peer editing or to bring copies of your rough draft will negatively affect your essay grade.  I also encourage students to take advantage of the Writing Center in Westside Hall.  Visit http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/writing_newconsultation.htm to schedule an appointment.

 

Deadlines:  

All deadlines in this class are firm. Be sure to plan wisely and save all work in at least two places.  Formal essay assignments will always be due by the beginning of class on the due date.  For each day that an assignment is late, the grade for that assignment will be reduced by 3 points.   

 

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 5 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 Honesty:

Plagiarism is unacceptable and is grounds for failure for this course.  Simply put: don’t do it.  If you are unsure of what constitutes plagiarism, feel free to see me.  You can also read the entire policy in the Code of Student Life, which can be found at the following website: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/doso/documents/Code.Of.Student.Life.pdf  

 

I’ve included an excerpt here:

 

I-1 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY OFFENSES

Students who violate any of the following standards will be subject to disciplinary action:

A. PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism means the appropriation, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another person’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own work. Plagiarism is doubly unethical, since it deprives the true author of his/her rightful credit and then gives that credit to someone to whom it is not due.

 

I-3 RESPONSIBILITY OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

A. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY

It shall be the responsibility of every faculty member, student, administrator and staff member of the university community to uphold and maintain the academic standards and integrity of the university. Any member of the university community who has reasonable grounds to believe that an infraction of the Academic Honor Code has occurred has an obligation to report the alleged violation.

 

 

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS (Tentative)

 

WEEK 1              

Wed. 8/19             First Day of Class - Introductions

                                                          *Obtain all necessary texts and materials for the course if you have not already done so.

 

FICTION

 

Fri. 8/21                 Read:     “Godfather Death” p9-11  

 

Mon. 8/24             Read:     “A&P” p14-19

                                “Writing About a Story” p2075-2083  

Write:     Write a one-page response to “A&P.”  Do not give your reasoning for liking or disliking the story.  Instead, respond critically.

* Essay #1 Prompt Available

 

Wed. 8/26             Read:     “Cathedral” p98-108

                                Write:     In what ways does “Cathedral” make a statement about identity?  Use specific examples from the text.

                                *Last Day for Drop/Add

 

Fri. 8/28 Read:     “A Rose for Emily” p28-34

 

Mon. 8/31             Read:     “Critical Casebook- ‘A Tell-Tale Heart’” p412-423

                                Write:     Explain the significance of point of view in “A Tell-Tale Heart.”  Then compare and contrast with the point of view in “A Rose for Emily.”  Use specific details.

 

Wed. 9/2                Read:     “Harrison Bergeron” p 221-225

Write:     Explain how “Harrison Bergeron” makes a statement about technology.  Give specific examples from the text.

 

Fri. 9/4                   Read:     “The Lottery” p239-245

 

Mon. 9/7               No Class – Labor Day Holiday

 

Wed. 9/9                Rough Draft Due – Peer Editing

 

Fri. 9/11 Work on Essays  

 

Mon. 9/14             Fiction Essay Due

 

 

POETRY and DRAMA

 

Wed. 9/16             Read:     “Monologue for an Onion” p684

                                                “Her Kind” p687

                                Write:     Answer the questions below “Monologue for an Onion” by Suji Kwock Kim and “Her Kind” by Anne Sexton.  

                               

 

Fri. 9/18 “Writing about a Poem” p2101-2114

*Essay #2 Prompt Available

 

Mon. 9/21             Read:     “Word Choice and Word Order” 714-716

                                                “Upon Julia’s Clothes” p716-717

                                                “Saying and Suggesting” p731-732

                                                “London” p733-734

 

Wed. 9/23             Red:       “Imagery” p743-744

                                                “The Fish” p746  

                        Write:     Write a short explication of “The Fish.” It should be a minimum of two solid paragraphs.

 

Fri. 9/25 Read:     “Figures of Speech” p766-768

                                 

Mon. 9/28             Read:     “The Sonnet” p856- 860

                                                “How Do I Love Thee?  Let Me Count the Ways” p1091

                                Write:     Write your own sonnet.  State whether the sonnet is English or Italian, and be sure to follow the rules of rhyme scheme and stanza breaks.

 

Wed. 9/30             Read:     “Emily Dickinson” p1013-1019

                                Write:    Write a response to Emily Dickinson’s poetry as a whole.  What do you notice about her style?  Are there any recurring patterns in her writing?  Give examples.

 

Fri. 10/2 Read:     “Poetry and Personal Identity” and “Lady Lazarus” p933-936

 

Mon. 10/5             No Class – Fall Break

 

Wed. 10/7             Review for Midterm           

 

Fri. 10/9 Midterm Exam

 

Mon. 10/12           Work on Essays

 

Wed. 10/14           Rough Draft Due – Peer Editing

 

Fri. 10/16               Poetry Essay Due

 

Mon. 10/19           Read:     “Reading a Play” and Trifles p1223-1237

Write:     Describe the significance of the setting in Trifles.

 

Wed. 10/21            Read:    “Tragedy” p1249-1251

                                                “Comedy” p1257-1259

                                                “Sure Thing” p1259-1269

 

 

THE NOVEL

 

 

Fri. 10/23               Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 1-3

 

Mon. 10/26           Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 4-6

Write:     Respond critically to what you have read so far.

 

Wed. 10/28        Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 7-8

 

Fri. 10/30           Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 9-10

               

Mon. 11/2             Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 11-12

                                Write:     Choose any of the characters we have met so far in this novel, and write a character description.  Include as many details as possible.

 

Wed. 11/4             Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 13-14

Write:     What significant change occurs in Part 2?  Explore the reasons this change is significant in the novel.  Give details.

 

Fri. 11/6 Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 15-16

 

Mon. 11/9             Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 17-18

                                Write:     Describe Marian’s relationship with food in these two chapters.  Why might this be symbolic?  Give details.

 

Wed. 11/11           Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 19-20

                                Write:     Write a critical response on these two chapters.

 

Fri. 11/13               Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 21-22

 

Mon. 11/16           Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 23-24

                                Write:     Describe the relationship between Marian and Peter, Marian and Duncan, or Marian and Ainsley.

 

Wed. 11/18           Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 25-27

 

Fri.  11/20              Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 28-29

 

Mon. 11/23           Read:     The Edible Woman chapters 30-31

Write:     Consider the following question- “What is the meaning of the cake Marian serves Peter at the novel's end? What is the significance of her eating the cake?” 

 

Wed. 11/25           No Class – Thanksgiving Break

 

Fri. 11/27               No Class – Thanksgiving Break

 

Mon.  11/30          Review for Final Exam

 

Wed. 12/2             Last Day of Class

                                Review for Final Exam

                                Responses Due

 

TBA                       Final Exam