LIT 2001-2
Ken Harmon
Ken HarmonMW 11:40-1:35, ACAD 423 Office Hours: TR 10:40-11:40
4.5 Credit Hours & by appointment
Contact Hours: 45 Lecture Hours Phone: (980) 598-3218
Fall 2014 Office Location: GWC 5th floor,
Suite 530
Welcome to Literary Genres!
Salman Rushdie once said that "Literature is where [he goes] to explore the highest and lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where [he hopes] to find not absolute truth but the truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heart." As Rushdie so eloquently points out, literature, at its very core, plumbs the depths of what it means to be human, imperfect spiritual creatures, and seeks to understand the mysteries and the frailties of the human mind, body, and spirit as well as the borders and boundaries between each of these. Through our readings in this introductory literature course, we will explore the ideas of community, the individual, embodiment/disembodiment, the importance of place/landscape, and the human connection to the natural world and will seek to understand how such relationships are often further complicated by issues of gender, race, ethnicity, class, and sexual orientation.
We will also explore the defitions of the terms "literature," "genre," & "text" through study and analysis of visual art, graphic novel, electronic literature, film, short story, poetry, and drama (various genres).
Students will learn the elements of each genre and study select examples of each. They will respond to literary works in writing both in class and as homework assignments. Most of the daily class periods will consist of discussion, lecture, and analysis of assigned readings.
This is both a reading and writing intensive course.
Required Texts:
Vaughn, Brian K. & Fiona Staples (Illustrator). Saga, Volume I. Image Comics, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1607066019
-Edson, Margaret. Wit: A Play. Faber & Faber, 1999. ISBN: 978-0571198771
Recommended:
A laptop, a tablet (such as an Ipad), and/or a smart phone. You should bring one of these items to class every day. These will be used to complete in-class course work such as blogging, electronic quizzes, etc.
COURSE GOALS AND REQUIREMENTS
GOALS
To successfully complete LIT 2001, students should be able to:
1.Identify, analyze, and explicate the distinguishing characteristics of each genre (short fiction, poetry, and drama) as these characteristics have been introduced in class.
Identify, analyze, and explicate the distinguishing characteristics of each genre (short fiction, poetry, and drama) as these characteristics have been introduced in class.2.Define and employ literary terms associated with each genre (as per course glossary) to respond to and analyze literary works.
Define and employ literary terms associated with each genre (as per course glossary) to respond to and analyze literary works.3.Respond to various literary styles and themes through discussion, essays, exams, and research. Success in this area of response will be measured according to guidelines set forth in class.
Respond to various literary styles and themes through discussion, essays, exams, and research. Success in this area of response will be measured according to guidelines set forth in class.4.Read, analyze, and critically discuss literature according to course requisites.
Read, analyze, and critically discuss literature according to course requisites.5.Develop competence in interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating literature.
Develop competence in interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating literature.6.Learn and apply literary devices and determine their function and value (such as symbol, imagery, irony, paradox, and others).
Learn and apply literary devices and determine their function and value (such as symbol, imagery, irony, paradox, and others).7.Recognize certain qualities in literature that distinguish it as art.
Recognize certain qualities in literature that distinguish it as art.8.Form viewpoints of their own from discovering ideas found in the various works and, therefore, find meaning in literature from their own vantage point.
Form viewpoints of their own from discovering ideas found in the various works and, therefore, find meaning in literature from their own vantage point.9.Use examples from literature to illustrate both the universality and diversity of the human experience.
Use examples from literature to illustrate both the universality and diversity of the human experience.REQUIREMENTS:
1. All students are required to maintain a blog created a wordpress.com used solely for this course as well as a Twitter account.
2. Write reader responses of about a page or so for many of the assigned readings (one-two per week, but no more than 20 for the semester). See “Reader Response Guidelines” for more details.
3. Participate actively in class discussions (to include group informal presentations or discussion leadership).
4. Write three essays in the range of 3-6 pages each, typed, double-spaced, 12pt. font, Times New Roman, and following the Modern Language Association (MLA) style format and documentation (as necessary). [See What is Literary Criticism? for more information]
5. Complete a semester research project in MLA format using in-text citations and including topic proposal, annotated bibliography, and an electronic presentation of your findings over the course of your research.
6. Will approach writing as a process. This process includes completing invention work, a serious of drafts, a peer critique, and an indivual reflection at the end of each major essay. Failure to submit any part of this process will result in the significant loss of points on the final grade for each major paper.
Students must complete all major papers in order to pass the course. Failure to complete any of the required assignments will result in a final course grade of F.
EVALUATION
You can accumulate 400 points, which are distributed as follows:
Participation (32.5%)
Reader Responses 40 (10%) = 4points each
Blogs 20 (10%) (5 points each)
Quizzes 50 (12.5%) (5 points each); may include
discussion boards
Research Presentation 20 (5%); Electronic presentation
Papers (67.5%)
Diagnostic Essay 10 (2.5%)
Annotated Bibliography 20 (5%)
Essay 1: Fiction 60 (15%)
Essay 2: Poetry 80 (20%)
Semester Research Project 100 (30%)
Final Grades: 360 - 400 A 320 - 359 B 280 - 319 C 240 - 279 D 0 - 239 FCLASS POLICIES
PLAGARISM: All course assignments ask you to write using what you have learned in the course and using your own thinking and writing skills. If you use any ideas, paraphrases, or exact wording from a source other than yourself (including the textbook), you must document the source using MLA parenthetical documentation style (see handbook or ask instructor). Any source used but not documented will be considered plagiarism, for which you will receive a failing grade for the course. You might also be placed on probation or expelled from the university. If you have any questions about plagiarism, ask before you act. Ask me; see pp. 614-617 in our textbook, The Bedford Guide for College Writers, and/or “Academic Policies” in the Student Handbook.
FEW VERY IMPORTANT WORDS ABOUT PLAGARISM
A. Plagiarism, a SERIOUS, academic violation, which can lead to an F for the course, is the use of WORDS, IDEAS, or STRUCTURES of others (published sources, friends, relatives) without acknowledgment. There is no excuse for willful plagiarism.
B. Except where appropriate (quoting or paraphrasing from primary or secondary sources), your work is presumed to be totally your own writing (i.e. original).
C. When you QUOTE OR PARAPHRASE FROM ANY sources, you MUST cite them with appropriate specific documentation (usually author and page number in parentheses + Works Cited list at end). This includes subject matter of the essay. If you quote or paraphrase precisely from a work of literature, you must cite the author of that work.
D. Proper handling of outside sources includes the introduction of a source the first time it is used and the use of author tags when paraphrasing and directly quoting.
E. If you do not understand the format for documenting sources, see me for help before turning in an essay. Refer to your handbook for further clarification.
For other questions about plagiarism see http://www2.winthrop.edu/english/CorrectUseBorrowedInfo.pdf
NOTE: Although the above passages explain the proper handling of the ideas of others, for this course you are not to use outside resources whatsoever. Although you will be quoting passage from the works we read as a calss, the ideas about those passages found in your essays should be your own. Plagiarism is considered a serious act of academic misconduct and may result in the student receving an F in the course or being suspended from the university.
TURNITIN.COM: All major essays written for this course must be submitted electronically to turnitin.com no later than classtime on the date that an assignment is due. Essays that are not uploaded to turnitin.com will not be accepted.
ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all classes and earn credit for complete classes and in-class assignments. You are allowed two absences (excused or unexcused) without penalty. Five absences (excused or unexcused) will result in automatic failure. If you do not attend a student conference, you will be considered absent. After two absences your final grade for the semester will be reduced as shown.
You are responsible for tracking your absences.
Absences Points deducted from final grade
Points deducted from final grade3 40 4 100
1005 200TARDIES: If a student is more than 10 minutes late for class or leaves more than 10 minutes before class is over, they are counted absent for the day.
PROFESSIONAL DRESS: You must follow the academic dress policy as it is explained in the Student Handbook (pp. 56-58), including wearing your nametag. Headphones, tennis shoes/sneakers & hats/head coverings are not allowed in the academic building except scarves for religious purposes.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Students are expected to respect their classmates’ time and learning environment. Therefore, show up for class prepared and on time. Turn all cell phones on silent before entering the classroom. Each time a cell phone disrupts class or a student is caught texting in class, the entire class will take a pop quiz. If a student leaves the classroom to answer a call, they will be counted absent for the day . Students caught texting during classtime will be counted absent for the day. Other disruptive classroom behavior, defined as anything that would interfere with “an instructor’s ability to conduct the class” or “The ability of other students to profit from the instructional program,” is strictly prohibited.
NO FOOD OR DRINK IN THE CLASSROOM
NOTE: Persons other than registered students are not allowed to attend academic sessions, laboratory classes, computer labs, and other University academically supported areas.
LATE PAPER/ASSIGNMENT POLICY: Turn in all your assignments on their scheduled due dates. You must submit the final drafts of all essays and their associated process work (critique, reflection, etc.) in Blackboard. NO PROCESS, NO GRADE. Keep a duplicate copy of all assignments you turn in and save all of your files in several locations (flash drive, hard drive, email, etc.). I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE PAPERS.
REVISION: You may rewrite one failing essay (original grade of D or F); the rewritten essay may receive no higher than a “C.” Revisions must accompany the original graded copy
STUDENT E-MAIL: Students are required to obtain and use a JWU e-mail account for University communication and to access my public folders. You must obtain your password to do so. Student accounts are created automatically for those who are active and in good standing. Student email addresses are available through uconnect at https://email.jwu.edu. A student email address is username@students.jwu.edu. Students should go to http://email.jwu.edu to logon and access their email. Immediately contact the helpdesk at 1-866-598-4357 if you need assistance. Take care of this the first day of class. Students are expected to maintain an email account throughout the semester and check it daily for important information regarding upcoming assignments, course announcements, etc.
IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: Students will often complete in-class assignments and short writing projects. In-class projects and quizzes are team-based and scheduled for a specific class period and cannot be made up after that class date.
WORKSHOPS: All essays will be critiqued by peer groups in class. Essays without workshop response will drop one full letter grade.
PARTICIPATION: Discussion and group work play an important role in this class and your participation is essential. Come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings, contribute productively to discussions, interact with other class members during group work, and turn in assigned work on time. You must keep up with your reading schedule and always be prepared to discuss the assigned readings at their scheduled times. All students are expected to contribute productively to discussion boards.
CENTER FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT
WRITING CENTER: Located in the academic building, 4th floor, the writing center is open to all Johnson & Wales University students who need help with writing, whether they are taking an English course or not. Students are encouraged to seek assistance with essays, research projects, and related assignments. Students are asked to make an appointment with a Writing Center staff member in order to receive prompt assistance. The center provides 30 minute appointments and is staffed from 8:30-2:30 M-R. Consultants work with students on any part of the writing process -- planning, drafting, focusing, organizing, revising, or editing, and with papers from all disciplines. Please do not hesitate to use the tutor’s assistance. Remember to bring a copy of your assignment and your drafts to any Writing Center conference.
Going to the Writing Center does not guarantee you a good grade because tutors will not proofread your papers. The Writing Center’s goal is to improve your overall writing skills (organization, thesis & supporting paragraphs, audience/assignment issues, as well as teaching punctuation and grammar rules after reviewing big picture issues), which sometimes takes several sessions, depending on your existing writing skills. For more information, you may contact them at acadsupport.clt@jwu.edu
You may also visit the Center for Academic Support website at: http://www.jwu.edu/charlotte/stu_acad.htm
ACCOMODATIONS: Johnson & Wales University is dedicated to providing access to education. While maintaining the highest academic integrity, the University strives to balance scholarship with support services which will assist special needs students in functioning in the University's academic environment. Reasonable accommodations are available with proper documentation, and can be discussed with the director of The Center For Academic Support (4th floor of the Academic Building).
Because some programs of study have technical standards and requirements, applicants and students with special needs or physical disabilities should contact the director of the Center for Academic Support to discuss the availability of reasonable accommodations where appropriate. Copies of the technical standards applicable to various programs are available from this office. Once you have arranged accommodations with this office, please tell me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first paper/assignment.
