ENGLISH 231
Introduction to Literature
Syllabus and Policy Statement
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ENGLISH 231 Introduction to Literature |
Syllabus and Policy Statement |
Rebecca Whitus Longster, Instructor
Office: Heavilon Hall 303c
Maymester 2003
Phone: office 49-62803 - (home) 765-884-8225
Class meetings: MTWTHF 9:50-12:00 (noon) Heav 120
E-mail: RebeccaL@purdue.edu
Office Hours: M 9:00-9:50Required Texts --available at--
Follett's
Von's (in the Village--close to Harry's)
The Seagull Reader: Poems edited by Joseph Kelly (Norton)
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt (Touchstone)
Fiction: A Pocket Anthology 3rd edition edited by R. S. Gwinn (Longman-Penguin Academics)
The Pelican Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
(Viking Penguin)
Course Description top
English 231: Introduction to Literature. This class is intended to be just what it sounds like--an introduction to literature. Over the course of the next four weeks we will be reading, thinking about, discussing, and sometimes writing about selected samplings of the four genres of Literature: Poetry, Fiction, Literary Nonfiction, and Drama.
In at least one instance, Drama, we will bring consideration of a film version to bear upon our critical analysis of the work. We will consider and discuss what impact the translation to film has upon this particular piece of literature, and explore to what extent each version (print and film) is shaped by the limitations (or at least parameters) of the medium in which the tale unfolds.
1. Come to class
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 feel 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 for your classmates as well. Also, I find it easier to get to know you as a person when you participate in the discussion.
More than 2 absences will be considered excessive, particularly since we have only 18 class sessions during maymester. Each absence over two will result in a loss of 5 points from your semester grade (which doesn't sound like much, but it is--trust me). 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.
Homework and Exams: Preparation and Timeliness All worksheets, short papers, and exams should be typed or word processed using a letter quality printer and should have appropriate margins, spacing, pagination, etc. Neatness, visual appeal, and mechanical and grammatical correctness do matter though they do not by themselves guarantee that the content of the paper or exam is correct or well written. For all worksheets, short papers, and exams, please use the following general format conventions:
Each worksheet, paper, or exam that you turn in will have, in the upper left-hand corner of the first page, single spaced:
--your name
--English 231
--the date
--assignment type (i.e.: worksheet, short paper, mid-term or final exam)
[do not use a cover page]
You will then double space and begin the text of the paper.
All papers and exams are to be:
--double spaced,
--in 12 point, serif 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).
Late Work
Unfortunately, the brevity of Maymester precludes much flexibility in extending assignment due dates. Therefore, assignments turned in after the due date will not be accepted, and missed quizzes cannot be made up.
Grading
(Note: the following assignments and exams, and points 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:In my classes, everyone begins with an "A" which, in this case, means 100 points. How many of those points you keep is up to you, so I encourage each of you to do your best.Presentations = 5 points
Worksheets = 5 points
Quizzes (5) = 25 points
Short Papers (3) = 15 points
Midterm exam = 25 points
Final exam = 25 points
90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D below 60 = F
Assignments
Presentations: Individually or with one or more partner(s), you will be scheduled to briefly (five-ten minutes or so) lead an introduction to/discussion of the day's assigned readings. Presentations should focus on two or three topics/issues of interest to you and may be speculative rather than conclusive. You may use AV materials, role-playing, in-class exercises, etc. However, no "outside" materials are required. You will receive credit for presentations for simply doing them. Points: 5Worksheets: It has been observed that no thought is really complete until it is fully articulated. Obviously the best means of achieving this completeness is to record various insights from your reading and class discussions in your notebooks, and then search for patterns or larger connections therein. Worksheets should be culled from your notebooks. You are required to hand in five worksheets--worth one point each--typed, double spaced and no more than one page in length. Think of your worksheets as maps by which you will navigate your way through the course, gather material for your short papers, and prepare yourself for the midterm and final exams. Learning is an active process and one that can be fun--you may be amazed at how delightful it is to discover an extended metaphor or make connections that you hadn't realized were there before--and worksheets are an excellent way of engaging and interacting with the readings and with our discussions. Again, the content of your worksheets may be speculative rather than conclusive, and you will receive credit for worksheets if you simply do them. Points: 5
Short Papers: In terms of formality and coherence, these should be more developed than your worksheets but they need not be perfectly unified essays (although I'm always happy to see those too!). Each of these short papers must be about the assigned readings, but feel free to "play" with the content--perhaps, again, speculating about one or more issues of interest to you rather than coming to a particular conclusion. Feel free, also, to format your short papers to reflect your unique style and personality, and to incorporate current events, memories, experiences, and so on that more fully illustrate your observations and how/why you arrived at them. You will turn in three short papers worth five points each--typed, double-spaced, and two-three pages in length. Several of these papers may (time permitting) be reproduced and distributed (with your anonymity preserved) to your classmates as a springboard for further discussion. While I may (quite likely) point out mechanical, grammatical, and structural errors on these short papers (I teach writing, too, and can't help myself ~_~), again, you will receive credit for the short papers if you simply do them. Points: 15
Quizzes: There will be five brief quizzes worth five points each, intended to illustrate the fact that you have read and understand the material. Quizzes are not meant to trick you or "stump" you in any way; they are intended only to ensure that we are all keeping up with the assignments.
Exams: You will have two exams for this class, a midterm and a final, each of which will be worth 25 points. Exams will be "take home" and will be in your hands at least three days before your responses are due. Because these are take home exams and you will have ample time in which to do them, your responses should be typed, double spaced, and generally formatted just as any other paper would be. Naturally, your responses to exam questions are expected to be thoughtful, well developed, and as coherent as possible. While I, again, will quite likely point out mechanical, grammatical, and structural errors, such will not generally count against you--unless the errors confuse me or get in the way of my completely understanding what you mean to say.
Final Note: Please feel free to consult with me at any time during the semester with any concerns you may have about your class performance, understanding of the material, and so on. If at any time you begin to feel lost, don't just disappear. Unforeseen circumstances can and often do "throw a monkey wrench" into the best of plans and intentions; however, such circumstances can often be dealt with to our mutual satisfaction if directly and immediately addressed. So do please see me if the need arises.
(Special thanks to Juan Nunez of Colorado State University, who's Masterpieces of American Literature syllabus provided a template for a significant portion of this syllabus.)
developed by Rebecca Whitus Longster, Spring 2002
page last updated: 05.14.03
corrections and suggestions to:
RebeccaL@purdue.edu
link to 230 Schedule http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~rebeccal/lit/231m03/schedule.html)