Missouri Western State College, Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism
English 210 Approaches to
Literature
“Outlooks and Insights”
Sec. 01 TTh 9:30-10:50 JGM 105
Office: SS/C 222 P
Phone: 271-5815 (Messages)
Office Hours: MWF 9-10 TTh 8:30-9:30 and by appointment
e-mail: lund@missouriwestern.edu
Required Text:
The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 6th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 1999.
Objectives: See the ENG
210 departmental web page at
http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/lg/210.html
This course will focus on the following:
· the study of multiple genres of literature, inclusive of fiction, poetry, and drama
· analysis of different works of literature
· the correct use of literary terms and devices
· a variety of critical schools and approaches
· literary and research analysis in formal writing
Attendance:
I expect and anticipate your regular and prompt attendance at every class session. If you should incur an absence, it is always up to you to take responsibility for any materials covered in class. I will allow three absences during the semester; after these have been used, I make no promise that you will pass the course. In addition, if you arrive more than five minutes late, or leave class early without my approval, I will consider this an absence.
Students With
Disabilities:
Any student in this course who has a disability that requires special consideration should make an appointment with me immediately to discuss course requirements.
Major Assignments,
Reading Journals, Quizzes, Grading Criteria and Late Work Policy:
Students will write three major papers (word-processed in twelve point type, double spaced using standard instructor approved fonts only.) Each paper must be 1300-1500 words in length, and must contain an accurate word count for the paper to be deemed acceptable. In addition, all
major papers must be written in MLA documentation format. I expect approximately an 80-20 mixture of your words and quoted materials; please do not exceed this ratio. Major papers must contain a minimum of three outside sources as well as the primary source (the text). These papers are worth 100 points each (300 points total) and will be graded on content (40%) clarity (40%) and correctness (20%). More paper specifics will be given well before the first due date, so don’t panic.
Students will complete a reading journal entry for each reading assignment given during the semester. I will be collecting these for scoring four times during the course, and these dates will be unannounced, so you should keep these up to date and in your possession at all times. Journals must be a minimum of one page standard size notebook paper for each individual assignment listed on the syllabus. I suggest a spiral bound notebook for this purpose, as loose leaf paper tends to get lost and messy to handle. I do not read these for correctness as I do the major papers, but I am looking for more personal reactions to the readings (a plot summary or “I did not like/understand the reading” will not suffice; I need to know “exactly why” you reacted that way.) These journals are worth a total of 100 points. Partial credit is possible, and I encourage you to use compare-contrast and other styles of literary analysis in your responses.
Students will be given a quiz over each reading assignment. These will be short answer essay-type responses that will let me know who is doing the reading. Like the journals, these may not be made up, so regular attendance will help this portion of your grade. Missing one or two quizzes will not affect an otherwise strong grade, but constant absences can and will. Quizzes will make up a total of 100 points, and they will have varying individual point values.
Late Papers, Drafts and Peer Editing:
I am extremely sullen concerning late work, especially at the collegiate level. Therefore, I will not accept any late draft, peer editing sheet, or major paper for full credit without a documented emergency (something you can prove to me in writing that prevented you from being in class.) If you do not have such documentation, your grade will be reduced by 10% each day (not class) the paper is late. Also, I will not accept papers over e-mail or in my mailbox without prior consent. Papers are due at the beginning of the designated class session, and will be late a one-day minimum thereafter. There is one exception to this policy; the final paper may not be turned in late for credit without a documented emergency. Remember, you must complete all three major papers to pass the course regardless of your point total!
Final Drafts of major papers will be turned in along with peer-editing sheets, hard copies of all secondary sources, and the final copy with a “Works Cited” page. No draft (word-processed, spell-checked, word count, quotes and “Works Cited” included) for peer-editing sessions equals an absence from that class and a point deduction.
Total Points for Class:
Major Papers 300 Points
Reading Journals 100 Points
Quizzes 100 Points
Drafts and Editing 100 Points
Total 600 Points
Grading Scale:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F 59% and below
Classroom Courtesy:
The MWSC Handbook states, “Behavior which disrupts the classroom
environment or interferes with other students’ ability to learn may be grounds
or justification for dismissal from the classroom” (28). Please respect other
people and turn off your pagers and phones during this class. If I see you are
sleeping in my class, I will count you absent. Also, please do not engage in
personal conversations or distracting noises in the classroom.
Academic Honesty:
Do your own work at all times. Any case of paper buying,
cheating/plagiarism, etc. will result in a grade of zero (0) for
that assignment and may also be subject to disciplinary action by the college.
Tentative Class Schedule
8/26 Introductions,
syllabus, expectations
8/28 Introduction, 1-6 and
Ch. 1, 11-19
9/2 Ch. 3, 64-66 and
74-83
9/4 Ch. 4, 99-104 and
115-141
9/9 Ch. 5, 150-152; Ch.
6, 173-177 and Ch. 11, 359-370
9/11 Continuation of 9/9;
Ch. 7, 220-222 and Ch. 8, 247-250
9/16 Ch. 9, 282-286; Ch.
17, 577-583, 597-602 and 605-610
9/18 Computer lab/library
research day
9/23 Drafts due, major
paper #1, for peer editing and instructor feedback
9/25 Final drafts due,
paper #1; Ch. 20, 671-690
9/30 Ch. 22, 726-727,
728-729, 742-743 and 744; Ch. 23, 763-764
10/2 Ch. 25, 806-807,
827-829; Ch. 27, 863-870
10/7 876-877, 880-885,
891; Ch. 30, 936-946
10/9 Ch. 32, 995-1031
10/14 Ch. 38, 1151-1153,
1164-1165, 1173, 1174, 1180 and 1194-1197
10/16 Computer lab/library
research
10/21 Drafts due, major
paper #2
10/23 Final drafts due,
paper #2; Ch. 41, 1235-1277
10/28 Ch. 45, 1563-1625
10/30 Continuation
11/4 Ch. 49, 1729-1794
11/6 Continuation
11/11 1820-1892
11/13 Continuation
11/18 1891-1940
11/20 Continuation
11/25 Computer lab/library
research
12/2 Drafts due, major
paper #3
12/4 Final drafts due,
paper #3
12/11 8:30 a.m. Final Class