Syllabus

ENG 105 Introduction to Literature
HAWKEYE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Spring 2010: January 11 – May 11
Ann Lebo
Telephone: C 319-939-4272
Email: alebo@spartanpride.net
Monday, 6:00 – 8:50 p.m. Western Outreach

Important Dates:
January 11 Classes begin.
January 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance. College closed.
March 5 No classes.
March 15-19 Spring Break. No classes.
March 19 College Closed.
May 6-11 Finals Schedule.
May 11 End of term.

Text:
Gardner, Janet E. , et. al., eds. Literature: A Portable Anthology. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004.

Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to three genres of literature: short story, poetry, and drama. It will emphasize understanding both the possibilities and limitations of various types of literature, willingness to share interpretations, relate awareness of literary structure of his/her analysis of selected literary pieces, and different methods of critical analyses.

Course Objectives:
This course will provide:
1. a study of a variety of literary works and genres.
2. a framework for analyzing literature.
3. a vocabulary of literary terms for each of the genres.
4. an overview of the different techniques and forms used in each of the genres.
5. a focus on the value of literature in our society.

Evaluation:
Examinations and Quizzes
To demonstrate your understanding of the works and preparation for class, there will be quizzes over the reading assignments and three major exams, one for each unit of study, that test your ability to effectively analyze and discuss literature.

Journals
Each student will keep a journal of responses to the readings. Students should focus on their thoughts, impressions, reactions to, or critical analyses of the readings. You may choose to analyze a character, theme, style of writing, or any other legitimate means of interpreting the selections. You will be expected to incorporate a theoretical lens in each response once those have been introduced. These prepared writings will be used to guide discussion and may be developed into a research idea for your paper. Responses should be at least one page, typed, DS, Times New Roman. If they do not meet these expectations, I will not grade them. No exceptions.

In addition, a typed abstract will be completed for each reading. An abstract is a brief statement of the essential content of a book, article, speech, etc. These should be at least a ½ page in length and include enough information that, if needed, would serve as a valuable resource. Abstracts should be incorporated at the beginning of each journal and will be part of your overall journal grade.

Journals should be emailed to me in-text or as an attachment.



Critical Analysis
A formal research paper will be completed on a topic of the student’s choice that relates to a reading from the class. A justification for your selection will be completed and must be approved by the instructor. Topics from your journals could be developed into a paper or you may choose to write a formal analysis using a specific literary criticism. The paper will be 5-7 pages in length and evaluated on critical thinking, content, coherence, unity, development, and grammar-usage-mechanics (G.U.M.). A minimum of three and maximum of five academic sources must be used and cited according to MLA format, one of them being your primary text.

Points
Quizzes (10 pts each) 50
Journals (50 pts each) 400
Poetry Presentation 50
Short Story Exam 100
Poetry Exam 100
Drama Exam 100
Final Exam 50
Literary Analysis 100
Justification of Topic & Conference 25
Rough Draft & Works Cited 25
Total Points Possible 1000

Grading Scale:
A 94% - 100%
B 86% - 93%
C 76% - 85%
D 68% - 75%
F Below 67%

Class Policies:
Participation
Students are expected to come to class prepared. You should read the assigned material before class and come ready to take notes, offer comments and interpretation, and ask questions as needed. Disruptions of class will not be tolerated.

Attendance
Students who are absent should follow the syllabus and keep up on assigned readings. Points for attendance will not be awarded or deducted, but if you do not come to class, I will not help you. If you are late for a test or quiz, you will receive a zero. Keep in mind, missing one night of class is equivalent to missing a week.

Late Work
No late work will be accepted. If you miss class, it is expected that your work will be handed in or emailed to me when it is due. A missed quiz or exam will receive a zero. In the event of extenuating circumstances, justification must be provided and approved by the instructor.

Academic Integrity and Conduct Policy
1st Offense: 0 on assignment/assessment. 2nd Offense: F in class. See handout.

Cancellations Due to Weather
If classes are cancelled in the Grundy Center, Cedar Falls, or Waterloo area, there will be no night class. Check Hawkeye College announcements and postings. I will also contact you via email or text for cancellations unrelated to weather.






January
Week 1
1-11 Introduction to course
Syllabus
Writing About Literature p. 1263-1302 notes, 1303-1317 Discuss/Notes
Notations will be discussed and collected at the end of class. Final notations should be stored in your notebooks/binders.
p. 1338-1369 Reference section
Literary Analysis Handout
Literary Criticism—Notes

Week 2
1-18 No Class—Martin Luther King Jr. Observance

Week 3
1-25 Drama
p. 1331-1337
Oedipus Rex
Quiz #1
Journal #1
Summary for each (1/2 page):
Prologue/Parodos, Scene 1/Ode 1, Scene 2/Ode 2, Scene 3/Ode 3,
Scene 4/Ode 4, Exodos
Response over entire play (1 page)
Class discussion and analysis

February
Week 4
2-1 Hamlet
Quiz #2
Journal #2
Summary for each scene (1/2 page)
Response for each act (1/2 page)
Final response (full page)
Death Count
Class discussion and analysis.

Week 5
2-8 Quiz #3
Trifles
Journal #3
A Jury of Her Peers (in-class film)* as available
Short written commentary on film and play at end of class (added to journal grade)

Week 6
2-15 EXAM #1: DRAMA

Week 7
2-22 Poetry
p. 1325-1330
Sign up for poetry presentations (pick 10)
Journal #5
Robert Herrick, To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
William Wordsworth, I wandered lonely as a cloud
Edgar Allan Poe, Annabel Lee
Robert Browning, My Last Duchess
Theodore Roethke, My Papa’s Waltz
March
Week 8
3-1 MIDTERM; Poetry Presentations
Week 9
3-8 EXAM #2: POETRY

Week 10
3-15 SPRING BREAK—NO CLASS

Week 11
3-22 Short Stories
Quiz #4
Review and discussion of literary criticism
p. 1318-1324
Journal #6
Short Stories: Hawthorne, Poe, Melville, Guy De Maupassant, Chopin,
Large group discussion followed by small group breakouts

Week 12
3-29 Journal #7
Short Stories: Kafka, Lawrence, Porter, Hemingway, Steinbeck
Student lead discussions; large group followed by small group breakouts

April
Week 13
4-5 Quiz #5
Journal #8
Short Stories: Ellison, Jackson, O’Connor, Updike, Oates, Carver
Student lead discussions; large group discussion followed by small group breakouts

Week 14
4-12 Journal #4
Short Stories: Atwood, Bambara, Walker, O’Brien, Erdrich
Small group discussion followed by presentations to class

Week 15
4-19 EXAM #3: SHORT STORIES

Week 16
4-26 Justification of Topic (1 page minimum)—must include sources, general thesis, and rationale for topic
Individual conferences with instructor (bring sources, notes, etc.)

May
Week 17
5-3 Rough Draft and Final Works Cited

Week 18
5-10 Final Exam
Final Literary Analysis Due