Spring 2002 ENGLISH 230 Great Narrative Works

Rebecca Whitus Longster Syllabus and Policy Statement

Rebecca Whitus Longster, Instructor
Office: Heavilon Hall 303c
Spring 2002
Phone: office 49-43730 - (home) 765-884-8225
Class meetings: TTH 9:00-10:15 Heav 110
E-mail: RebeccaL@purdue.edu
Office Hours: M 1:00-4:00, TTh 3:00-4:30

Required Texts
See attached Reading List

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Course Description

English 230, Great Narrative Works, is a course of study devoted to the reading and discussion of great narratives from Homer's Odyssey to contemporary works of fiction and literary non-fiction.  We will be (as the course description says) "considering works from a variety of cultures and time periods in order to develop an understanding of their ideas, structures, styles, and cultural values" among other things.

After lengthy deliberation, I have settled upon texts which represent a wide variety of time periods; writers, both male and female, with clear and unique individual writing styles; works which illustrate the impact of the social and cultural contexts in which each is situated. All are rich in the essential elements of literature, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.  Our purpose is, among other things, to discover and illuminate that which makes each a "great" narrative (if, in fact, it is one), what "works" well in each, and what doesn't.

In at least two instances, we will bring consideration of a film version to bear upon our critical analysis of the narrative.  We will consider and discuss what impact the translation to film has upon the narrative, the story, its "literary" qualities, and so on, and explore to what extent each version (print and film) is shaped by the limitations (or at least parameters) of the medium in which tale unfolds.

Class Policies
 

1. Come to class	2. Keep up with reading assignments
3. Take an active and civil part in all class discussions	4. Turn work in on time
5. Keep a copy of everything you turn in	6. Do not plagiarize
7. In all things, do your best work	8. If you don't understand something, ASK

Attendance

Regular attendance is required as class discussion will form a significant part of fulfilling the course objectives. Additionally, at least 10% of your final grade will be based upon attendance and participation--and if you don't attend, you can't participate.   More than 3 absences will be considered excessive and will adversely affect your final grade.  If you know in advance that you have to miss class, please let me know, and in the event of an emergency, get in touch with me as soon as you can.  If you do miss a class, you are still responsible for the material covered that day and for getting any assignments due during that class to me as soon as possible.

top textsdescriptionpoliciesattendancepaper prep grading Major Papers: Preparation and Timeliness

You are expected to produce high quality professional papers.  Neatness, visual appeal, and mechanical and grammatical correctness do matter though they do not by themselves guarantee that a paper is well written. Major papers should be typed or word processed using a letter quality printer and should have appropriate margins, spacing, pagination, etc.

Harry Potter    English 230    January 27, 2002 Magic Carpet Ride: the use of  rock lyrics in Christine            Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    xxxxxxxxxxxxx.  Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    xxxxxxx (and so on . . .)     Potter  -1-

Each of your final draft essays will have in the upper left-hand corner of the first page, single spaced:  --your name,  --English 230  --and the date.  (do not use a cover page) You will then double space, center, and type in the title of the paper. Double space again and begin the text.  All papers (and drafts) are to be:  --double spaced,  --in 12 point font  and Each page will contain: --1 inch margins all around.  --page number --your name (a running header or footer is good for the last two).  ***See example left***

Late Work
The majority of missed class assignments cannot be "made up." Papers and other assignments are due at the beginning of the designated class period unless otherwise announced.  Please turn in all your work on time as it is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, to keep all the assignment together (and thus easier to grade and return) if they're not all turned in at the same time.  Furthermore, late papers receive a grade reduction, and  I find it extremely distasteful to have to reduce a grade simply because the assignment was late.  On rare occasions I do grant a short extension, without penalty, if circumstances warrant it.  If you need one, ASK.

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Grading
(Note: the following assignments, exams, and percentages assigned to each are subject to change at my discretion. If major changes become necessary, I will give you sufficient advance notice of those changes.)

Semester grades will be composed of the following:

Paper one = 20%
Midterm exam = 20%
Paper two = 20%
Final exam = 20%
Quizzes, other miscellaneous assignments, etc. = 10%
Attendance and Participation = 10%

90-100% = A    80-89% = B  70-79 = C    60-69 = D   below 60 = F
 

Quizzes will be unannounced.  The number of quizzes you have to take will be based upon my perception of your level of involvement with the material (i.e.. are you reading the material, making comments or asking questions that indicate critical thought, actively contributing to and participating in class discussions, etc. )

Note: although I may not appear to be, I am acutely aware of how many people participate in class discussions. Also, I rather rapidly come to recognize who is participating and who is not, so one cannot rely upon the same half dozen people to "carry" the discussions. While I realize that some of you may be shy or uncomfortable expressing your opinions, I encourage you to make a concerted effort to do so.  Your contribution will add value to the experience, not only for yourself, but for me and your classmates as well.