WCU - Spring 2002 Lit 165 Syllabus

OFFICE: Main 411 (During scheduled office hours, I may be at the computer in Main 417, around the corner)
OFFICE PHONE: 610-436-______
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT: (English Dept. Secretary) 610-436-2822
MAIL/LATE PAPER DROP: Main 527
OFFICE HOURS: Tues/Thurs 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This introductory level literature class is designed to help students acquire the tools for understanding, appreciating, and critically analyzing three genres of literature: fiction, poetry, and drama. This semester you will learn some basic concepts about literary technique and innovation. You'll be expected to exercise your objective critical thinking skills as you read, analyze, and discuss a variety of stories, poems, and plays. Please note that LIT 165 is no longer a writing emphasis course and ENG 121 is no longer a prerequisite.

REQUIRED TEXTS
Meyer, Michael. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading o Thinking o Writing, 6th ed.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students are expected to carefully read and analyze all assigned work prior to class, and to actively participate in all class exercises and discussions. Participation in class is a significant portion of your semester grade (see below).

Students will be expected to complete four examinations (including the final exam) as well as several quizzes, class exercises, and in-class response papers.

ASSIGNMENT / PERCENTAGE OF GRADE / APPROXIMATE DATE DUE
Fiction Exam / 20% / Early October
Poetry Exam / 20% / Early November
Drama Exam / 20% / Early December
Final Exam (cumulative) / 20% / Finals week
Preparation / 20% / throughout

Exams. Each genre-based exam will include 30-50 multiple choice, true/false, and matching items designed to gage the student's ability to recall, comprehend, and analyze literary works assigned as well as understand and apply concepts related to the literature assigned. These concepts will be drawn both from the textbook and material provided in class. I'll provide study guides before each exam. Motivated students may pursue supplemental (extra credit) writing assignments to accompany exam grades (after consulting with the instructor).

Preparation. Response papers, classwork, and homework assignments will be assigned throughout the semester to assess preparation or to jump-start discussion. Response papers may be assigned at the start of a class period (or for homework) so that (even if you hate to speak up in class) I can get your individual reaction to the works we're studying. A fairly typical kind of response paper prompt might be a question like, "What do you think you'll remember most about X three days or three years from now?" Classwork, homework, and response papers are checked but not letter-graded. Very poorly executed or missing assignments will hurt your average. If you miss class, make every effort to make up the work you missed by speaking with me and by checking the assignments page on the course website (brainstorm-services.com/wcu-2002).

POLICIES

Attendance: Students are expected to attend every class having read the assigned material. Any student who misses more than the equivalent of two weeks of class can expect to receive a lowered grade. For instance, missing the equivalent of three weeks will lower your average one whole letter grade (B+ = C+). Missing four weeks lowers your average two whole letter grades (B+ = D+). Missing more than four weeks is automatic failure (A+ = F). Students with serious problems or medical emergencies should notify the Dean of Students, who will contact your instructors about any necessary adjustments. Please be advised that it is not always possible to make up work missed due to absence. Coming to class late: Although I'd rather you come to class late than not at all, chronic lateness to class is disruptive and unacceptable. Please have consideration for your classmates and for the instructor if you are entering the classroom late. Occasional tardiness is not a problem but if it becomes habitual, those lateness will be recorded as absences and you will run a higher risk of receiving a lowered or failing grade for the course.

Late Assignments: All work must be turned in on the due date. Late papers are penalized, and in some cases, not accepted. I encourage you to email me any assignment you failed to bring to class. If I receive it on the day it is due, I won't count it late.

Make-up Exams: Students are responsible for being in class on test days. Students may make up an exam only if special arrangements are made in advance. Late exams are penalized.

Writing Center: If you are having trouble with a writing assignment, do not hesitate to bring your problem to my attention or bring your essay to the Writing Center in Main 203. The Writing Center offers free professional tutoring to any student who is writing a paper for any course offered by the college. The staff will assist students at all stages of the writing process: developing ideas, organizing drafts, revising, and editing. Tutors will not serve as your proofreaders, however; their aim is to help you develop your own skills. You may need to call ahead for an appointment as the center becomes fairly busy once the semester is under way. (436-2121) HOURS: M-Th (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and F (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Evening hours will be added once the semester begins. Visit the Writing Center's web page for an up-to-date schedule of hours.

Office of Services for Students with Disabilities: I will make accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a disability, please make your needs known to me and contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at 436-3217. Sufficient notice is required to make such accommodations possible.

Diversity and Fair Language. You are required by University policy to use nondiscriminatory language and to treat all issues of diversity respectfully (including, but not limited to, race sex/gender, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation). Read Quick Access, pp.101-103.

Academic Honesty. Plagiarism of any type is a serious academic offense that can result in a failing grade on an assignment, failure of the course, or referral to academic judicial affairs, depending upon the instructor's judgment. You are plagiarizing if you (*) lift either ideas or word-for-word passages from a published book, article, or website without giving credit to the author; (*) pass off another student's work as your own; or (*) allow a "helper" to actually write parts of your paper for you. Don't do it!!!

Final Grades
I'll calculate your final grade based on your exam scores and your preparation average (each component is 20% of your final grade). Students who actively, responsibly participate in class discussions can expect a hefty boost to their preparation grade.

Your final percentage will be converted to a letter grade as follows:

93 - 100 = A 72-76 = C
89 - 92 = A- 70 - 71 = C-
87 - 88 = B+ 68 - 69 = D+
82 - 86 = B 62-67 = D
79 - 81 = B- 60-61 = D-
77 - 78 = C+ 59 - below = F

READING SCHEDULE

The reading schedule which appears below for each genre may change slightly during the course of the semester. Selections may be substituted or added. Any changes will be announced in class and posted online.

During the course of the semester I will either distribute or post online supplemental reading materials. Class lectures or additional handouts will also be posted online at the course website (http://brainstorm-services.com/wcu-2002). I encourage you to check this site regularly, in addition to reading the required material listed below.

Please note that the selections listed below are not always presented in the order we will study them. Please listen carefully in class for specific reading assignments.

FICTION
The Story of an Hour (12), A Sorrowful Woman, (35), A&P (467), Eveline (400), Love in LA (236), Bartleby the Scrivener (108), Miss Brill (232), The Birthmark (306), How to Tell A True War Story (420), Popular Mechanics (248), Girl (439)