Missouri Western State College
Division of
Liberal Arts and Sciences
English 210-04
Approaches to
Literature
“Nature
Literature: American Naturalists and the 21st Century”
TTH 12:30-1:50,
SS/C 210
Office: SS/C 222-S; 271-4169
Office Hrs: MWF 4-5, TTH 2-3, and by appointment
Email: hamilmb@missouriwestern.edu
The Course: Exploring Ideas and Issues in Nature
Literature
“From the early field observations of Bartram and Thoreau, to the conceptual understandings of Emerson and the classic fiction of London, Chopin and Abbey, to the contemporary nature literature of Beston, Muir, Houle and Dillard, this course will explore the dynamics between self and world, person and place. Through readings, discussions and response papers, we will seek out those humanistic and scientific statements, perceptions, principles, dilemmas and dreams that connect us all to Gaia.”
Six Required Texts, in the order of reading:
London, Jack. The Call of the Wild. NY: Dover Press, 1990 (1903).
Beston, Henry. The Outermost House. NY: Henry Holt & Co., 1992 (1928).
Eiseley, Loren. The Firmament of Time. Lincoln: UN Press, 1999 (1960).
American Poetry Project. Songs of the Open Road. NY: Dover Press, 1999.
Ward, Candace, ed. Great Short Stories by American Women. NY: Dover Press, 1996.
Dillard, Annie. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. NY: Harper/Collins, 1999 (1974).
Or
Abbey, Edward. The Monkey Wrench Gang. NY: Harper/Collins, 2000 (1975).
Other Required Materials:
Notebook and a Personal Reader/Response Journal
Non-spiral bound paper for in class work; blue or black ink pens;
3 ½ inch disks; Xeroxed copies as needed;
Pocket Folders suggested; A collegiate dictionary recommended.
Approaches to Literature (English 210) is a sophomore-level literature course that introduces you to excellent written works selected according to a particular theme: in this case “Nature Literature.” While English 210 does educate you to these specific works, more importantly it allows you to develop your understandings and increase your capabilities of response through a process of reading, thinking, and understanding.
English 210 fulfills Category IV General Studies requirements, providing the practice in comprehension and expression from readings in the genres of prose fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and/or drama.
Upon satisfactory completion of this course you will be able to:
1) Realize a definition of “Literature”
2) Understand the background concepts related to “Nature Literature”
3) Recognize the major characteristics of “Genres”
4) Discuss Nature Literature, orally and in writing, with assurance
5) Come to appreciate the challenges which literature presents
6) Perceive and respond to the interplay of theme, language,
and literary content
To reach these goals, students will:
1) Read prose fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and short stories
2) Investigate these works of literature for their significance and intent
3) Develop methods to better approach and understand literature
4) Discuss individual findings, do in class writings and out of class assignments
5) Write papers, including themes, essay examinations and quizzes
6) Pursue independent interests correlative to the thematic readings
Grades:
Traditional Letter Grades, with plus & minus’s: A+=100 A=95 A-=92 B+=88 B=85
B-=82 C+=78 C=75 C-=72 D+=68 D=65 D-=62 F+=58 F=55 F-=52 …0=0
Letter Grades will be used for the major writing assignments.
Numerical Grades will be used for quizzes, usually on a ten-point scale: 10 perfect…9
excellent…8 good…7 adequate…6 failing…etc …0=0
A system of “ ‘s,” with plus & minus’s, will be used occasionally for other assignments:
“ +“=100 “ “=80 and “ -“=60 “ --“=40…etc …0=0
A Zero (0) will indicate late or missing work.
Course Grades & Percentages:
To
Midterm Exam To
Final Exam
Personal Reader Response Journal 10% Personal R Response Journal 10%
#1 Paper: Interpretation & Analysis 10% #2 Paper: Comparison 10%
In class assignments & participation 10% In class assign & participation 10%
Midterm Exam 10% Final Exam 10%
Formal Drafts and Graded Papers:
Use Times Roman or comparable font: 12 point and double space. Do not bold face everything or use all capitals. Side margins should be 1 to 1.25 inch, top and bottom 1.5 inch, paragraph indent .5 inch. Written work should be word processed, spell checked, and thoroughly proofread for clarity of expression and grammatical correctness.
Number each page at the Top Right. Identify the paper on Upper Left page #1 with:
Name
English Course/Section
Instructor
Assignment
Date
Then, Center the Title and Double Space Throughout.
(Use MLA
Documentation for all outside sources.)
Special Needs Student Policy:
Anyone who has a special need, temporary or long lasting, that prevents the fullest expression of her or his potential to succeed in this course should notify me during the first week of classes. We can discuss any special arrangements necessary. You should also contact Ms. Lois Fox at the Special Needs Office for additional assistance: SS/C 202, 271-4330. Email: fox@missouriwestern.edu.
Attendance Policy:
You are responsible for all work for the semester. There are no “excused” absenses, and all late or missing work will be given a zero. The only exception to this policy is when there are good reasons for being absent and you notify me prior to being absent. In that case, make up work will be assigned. Since we’ll be working together, and in synch with on-going assignments, attendance is important. Your thoughts, observations, and questions are as important to others as they are to the development of your own learning.
Two (2) absences during a semester are reasonable, but remember you are still responsible for all assignments, missed or late work, and discussion/lecture notes. Ask your classmates for help whenever you miss a class. Talk with me also for any assignments or handouts that you may have missed.
More than two absences (defined as 15 minutes late, or being habitually late) will have a detrimental affect on your grade. IF you believe that you truly have extenuating circumstances and want the penalties waived, the only way is to come and explain the situation to me. I will assist you whenever possible.
Disruptive behavior will be indicated by absence(s) and zeros for any work associated with it. Excessive absences can result in a failing grade for any college course.
Late Policy:
My basic policy is that no late work can be accepted without prior approval. All late or missing work will earn a zero.
Assignments should be done on time, by the date indicated, and ready at the beginning of the class period. I cannot accept assignments by mail, email, or FAX. If you have questions concerning your ability to complete any assignment, let me know.
Remember, however, that make-up opportunities for any in class work are extremely limited. I will try to accommodate those students who occasionally may have inordinate problems or circumstances, but I will not accept excuses as reasons for absences, lateness or missed work. ONE EXCEPTION: Major papers or assignments, if late, will be given grade reductions rather than zeros. One grade level deducted for every two calendar days.
Academic Honesty:
All work is expected to be NEW and ORIGINAL for this course. College and student policies for academic honesty are always in effect. Any student who submits someone else’s work as their own will receive No Credit (0 points) for that assignment and may receive an F for the course. Cheating or plagiarism may result in expulsion from the college.
So… when in doubt, ask. Plagiarism, itself, is the theft of other people’s words, thoughts, creative perceptions, and/or ideas, using them as if they were your own. But one of the objectives in this General Studies English courses is to have you realize the difference between legitimate and illegitimate use of these intellectual properties—the correct and proper use of all outside source material. So you will receive an introduction to MLA documentation to prevent plagiarism. “When in doubt, cite it out.”
This Syllabus:
It’s important that you understand the Syllabus. Both the Syllabus and Assignment Sheets do require your participation, yet I do reserve the right to make adjustments to them as will best support our on-going efforts in the class.
FOR NEXT TIME: January 16 (Th)
1. Purchase the literary texts from MWSC Bookstore. Total price for all is about $45.00. With materials, a little more. (Note you only need Dillard OR Abbey. Not both. You do not have to decide right away.)
2. Brows through the texts. As you become acquainted with them, make some estimates as to how long it will take you to read them.
3. Reread the Syllabus, and bring in any questions you might have.
4. Do the assigned Internet Research. Get a print out. Bring this, and a notebook, in on Thursday.
If you need assistance, or just want some additional clarification, I am here to help, anytime. Also, remember that the Center for Academic Support in LRC and the Office of Student Success in SSC are there especially to help you in accomplishing your specific academic goals.
I hope you’ll have an excellent, and enjoyable, semester!