English 2030 -- Casal 08

English 2030

Sections 012 and 063 - Dr. Casal

Fall 2009

The Experience of Literature

Overview and Objectives:

This course will cover four major genres of literature: poetry, prose fiction, prose non-fiction and drama. By reading and discussing representative works in each genre, we will explore the ways in which literature reflects on the human experience. In addition to improving your ability to think and write critically and analytically, this class should give you a greater sense of the range and sorts of texts that are out there for you to read..

When you complete this class you should:

be able identify basic structural and/or technical elements and strategies and able to discuss how those elements contribute to the overall effect of a literary work,
have a greater sense of the ways in which texts function within culture(s), of the ways in which texts can be used to understand and gain insight into cultures/historical movements, a sense of the ways in which texts respond to earlier texts, and of the ways in which cultural context shapes both the production and reading of texts,
become aware of the range of possible reading strategies, experience new ways of working with texts, and increase your interpretive repertoire,
show a greater ability to write and talk about imaginative literature,
have a new sense of yourself as a reader, be more aware of your own assumptions and interpretive strategies.

Required Text and Other Resources:

Abcarian, Richard and Marvin Koltz. Literature: The Human Experience Reading and Writing (9th edition)
Butler, Octavia Wild Seed (science fiction novel) -- any edition.
Large blue examination books (at least 2)
Access to the Harbrace College Handbook (13th or later edition), the MLA Handbook and a good dictionary.
Access to the internet to check announcements and assignments on Pipeline and other online material.
Access to a wordprocessor/computer and printer. (All work must be submitted in hard copy.)

Required Work:

This class involves a lot of reading and writing. Please plan your week so that you have time to do all the reading and can participate intelligently in the class discussion. Reading and other assignments will be listed on the Schedule of Assignments. Changes to the schedule will be announced in class and.or on the Pipeline page and will be posted online. You are responsible for checking the Pipeline page for announcements, especially if you have missed class and/or if class has been cancelled for some reason.

Essays:

You will write three essays for this class. These essays are not reports but will require that you develop an idea about one or more work of literature. I will be looking for clarity of thought and expression. Plan ahead so that you have time to write and revise your essays.

I will meet with each student before the first paper and after each paper has been submitted. This way you will get direct feedback on your writing. You may revise a maximum of two essays.

All essays must be submitted in hard copy. All essays must follow instructions, be on topic and follow MLA guidelines.

See Schedule of Assignments for deadlines.

Academic Honesty

Please note that all writing for this class must be your own work, that you must use quotation marks and cite sources when using words that are not your own, that even when you use your own words, you must cite the source(s) of your data or ideas, that you must include an accurate list of work cited, and that insufficient paraphrasing is a form of plagiarism.

Depending on the circumstances, the penalty for academic dishonesty in this class will range from failing the assignment to being forced to withdraw from the course with a failing grade. In all instances where I discover academic dishonesty, I will first try to discuss the matter with the student and, after I've heard the student's side, I will decide on appropriate action. Usually such action will include reporting the incident to Judicial Affairs with a recommendation for action.

For a detailed explanation of what constitutes academic dishonesty, click here .

Tests and Exams:

There will be two tests and a final exam. Each test will last the length of the class. The final exam will be cumulative and will combine objective questions (matching, multiple choice, true-false, identification, definitions, etc.) with discussion (essay) questions. you will need a large blue examination book for each test and for the final exam.

Quizzes and Other Small Assignments:

In order to encourage you to keep up with the reading and to give you feedback in addition to essays and exams, there will be occasional quizzes (some announced, some not) and short writing assignments. (Tentatively, the final assignment will be a group pojct focused on popular literature/art.) There will be between five and ten of these assignments and the lowest "quiz" grade will drop.

Grades:

I will average grades on the following scale:

93 - 100 A	83 - 87 B	73 - 77 C	63 - 67 D
88 - 92 B+	78 - 82 C+	68 - 72 D+	0 - 62 F

I do not normally give "minus" grades, but in cases where a student has worked hard and is on the borderline, I may give a B- instead of a C+ or a C- instead of a D+. If you do not want to get a "minus" grade under such circumstances, please let me know.

Weights:

Each essay will be worth 12% of the final grade. (Total: 36%)
Each test will be worth 10% of the final grade. (Total: 20%)
The final exam will be worth 15% (Total: 15%)
Participation and Other Assignments
Participation will account for 10-15%. Classwork and quizzes will account for 10-15%
More specific weights for this category will be given as the semester progresses. (Total: 29 %)

To get a good grade in this class you must fulfill all course requirements in a timely fashion according to the standards for this course. Planning ahead and coming to me for help when you need it is your best guarantee of success. There will be no extra credit.

Please note that this is a demanding class. If family or work commitments will make it difficult for you to do your best work maybe this is not the semester for you to be enrolled.

For departmental standards and guidelines click here.

NOTE: If you are a scholarship and/or financial aid recipient, it is your responsibility to keep up with and fulfill the requirements to keep your award. These requirements often include not only a particular GPA but a minimum number of credit hours. Check with Financial Aid Office for more information.

Policies and Other Requirements:

Attendance:

Except in special circumstances (major illness, for example) the maximum number of allowed absences for this class is four. Although I will not ask for excuses for the first four absences, be aware that if you exceed four absences you will have to justify all your absences. Tardiness and early exits are disruptive. Each three tardiness or early-exit will count as one absence. (Tardy = arriving more than 5 minutes late. Early exit = leaving before official end of class unless I dismiss class early.)

Participation:

Attendance is important because class participation is important. Plan to keep up with the reading and come to class prepared to talk. I want students to think about and discuss the texts we are reading. Class is more fun when everyone has something to say. I particularly like it when students address each other's points, not just speak to me.

I make allowances for shyness, but I want to see signs of engagement (nodding, shaking head, smiling or frowning as appropriate to others' comments) in all students. There are no stupid comments, no stupid questions--only stupid silences.

Courtesy towards others is important. Although it is appropriate to engage in discussion and debate (anyone who finds disagreement offensive does not belong in a college classroom), it is not appropriate to make derogatory comments about people or groups of people whether they are present in the classroom or not. Avoid actions that might be disruptive and remember that inattention is a form of discourtesy.

Please refrain from private conversations (this includes texting or e-mailing) while others are talking, turn off (or set to vibrate) all phones and beepers, and do not eat during class. If you have a situation (a relative in intensive care, for example) that makes it necessary for you to check your text messages and/or answer the phone (after stepping outside) during class, you should let me know in advance. Students who cannot be courteous towards others will be asked to leave the class. If you are asked to leave, you will be marked absent.

Late Work/Make-ups:

There will be no make-up quizzes no matter the reason. The lowest quiz grade drops.

To make-up a test, you must have a very good reason (illness, family tragedy, etc.). If you know it advance that you will miss the test (for example, a university excused absence) you need to let me know in advance. Make-ups should be taken as soon as possible after your return to school.

Each student may turn in one paper one class day late without penalty. The paper must be submitted in hard copy. After the first day late, the penalty will be 10 points per week (3 points per class day + 1 extra for the weekend) unless there are extenuating circumstances (illness, tornados, etc.). If you know in advance that you will not be able to be in class on the day that a paper is due (for example if you have a university excused absence) you need to submit the paper early or else have someone else submit it for you. I do not accept papers through e-mail except in extraordinary circumstances (For example, if you are stuck in a blizzard in Alaska).

DO NOT SUBMIT ASSIGNMENTS VIA E-MAIL WITHOUT CHECKING WITH ME FIRST.

Special Needs:

Students with certified disabilities must let me know as early as possible if they have special needs.

It is the student's responsibility to discuss special needs with me ahead of time. It is the student's responsibility to remind me, before every scheduled exam, that I must send over his/her exam to DSS by a certain date. (In most cases, it will not be possible for the special needs student to take the exam before the rest of the class.)

I will need documentation from the Director of Disabled Student Services, explaining the nature of the disability and identifying the kind(s) of accommodations necessary.

If you have special needs or concerns that are not covered by the disabilities office, please don't hesitate to talk to me. Although I cannot excuse any student from the required work, I can sometimes help you manage it.

How to Contact Your Teacher:

The best way is e-mail.
You may also phone or visit my office
For scheduled conference periods, I will have a sign up sheet.

Link to Schedule of Assignments.