Syllabus for ENG 210 -- Approaches to Literature

 

Missouri Western State University

Department of English, Foreign Languages, Journalism

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

 

English 210-02 -- Approaches to Literature:  Monsters in Literature

Instructor:  Dawn Terrick

Spring 2006

TTH  9:30-10:50 a.m.   Murphy Hall 109

Office:  SSC 222C 

Office Phone:  816-271-4313 

Office Hours:  M-F 11:00-12:00 and by appointment

Email:  terrick@missouriwestern.edu

 

Required Texts:

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

Dracula by Bram Stoker (unabridged)

Goblin Market and Other Poems, Christina Rossetti

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde

The Crucible, Arthur Miller

Interview With the Vampire, Anne Rice

 

* We will also be viewing films.  I may also supplement these texts and films with poems that will be available on reserve in the library or through handouts in class. 

* This class consists of extensive reading.  In order to succeed in this course, you must keep up with the reading.

* It is vital to have a folder and/or notebook to keep all notes/handouts/work.

           

Recommended Materials:

·A writing handbook or style guide of your choice

·Computer disks for revising and saving work

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Description:

ENG 210:  Approaches to Literature

Monsters in Literature

In this course we will read a variety of texts, from classical literature to contemporary popular literature, and examine the role of the monster in these works.  We will discover how the figure of the monster, the evil, strange or grotesque figure, both reflects and affects the culture in which it was written.  What can we learn about ourselves and our culture by analyzing this fiction?  What does the monster represent or symbolize to its author and to its readers?  We will read and discuss works ranging from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire.  Assignments will involve extensive reading, research, oral presentations and papers that explore and analyze literature.  English 210 fulfills Category IV General Studies requirement.

 

 

Course Description (continued):

 

• “It is becoming increasingly clear that the concept of evil is at one with the category of Otherness itself:  evil characterizes whatever is radically different from me.  So from earliest times, the stranger from another time, the barbarian . . . or in our own day, the avenger of cumulated resentments from some oppressed class, or else that alien being – these are some of the figures in which the fundamental identity of the representative of Evil and the Other are visible. 

 

•The point, however, is not that in such figures the Other is feared because he is evil; rather he is evil because he is Other, alien, different,

strange . . .”                                                                                          -Frederic Jameson

 

• “The popular imagination is far more likely to give birth to flamboyantly unrealistic characters . . . than to ‘typical’ human beings.”                                                 -Burton Hatlen

 

Course Goals and Objectives:

Upon completion of English 210, you will have demonstrated the ability to:

1.       Recognize the major characteristics of literary genres

2.       Discuss literature, orally and in writing, with assurance

3.       Understand the different ways in which literary theme may be treated in literature

In order to reach these goals you will:

1.       Read poetry, fiction, and drama

2.       Investigate various methods of approaching and understanding literature

3.       Write papers on literature

4.       Read a variety of literary works in which a chosen theme is dominant

           

For common objectives/means and institutional competencies for English 210, also refer to the English department website at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/EFLJ/eng210.asp

 

Methods of Instruction:   

Methods of instruction include texts, lectures, class discussions (very important), group work, oral presentations by students, quizzes, examinations, and informal and formal writing assignments.

 

Policies:

Attendance and Class Preparation/Participation:  Students are expected to attend every scheduled class meeting.  Each student will be allowed four absences.  More than four absences will likely effect your final grade.  However, please feel free to speak to me about any extenuating circumstances for I reserve the right to excuse some absences.  If you are going to miss class due to a school-sponsored event you must notify me in advance.  Also, arriving to class late is disruptive.  As a result, chronic lateness will likely affect your final grade.  Students are also expected to come prepared to every class meeting and participate in class discussion for this is the only way we can all share ideas, ask questions and learn.

 

Late Work:  All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the due date. If you are not in class on the due date you are still responsible for submitting your assignment on time. Oral presentations must be presented on the due date – no exceptions. Late quizzes and in-class writing assignments will not be accepted.  In regard to your writing assignments, each student is allowed one late writing assignment (and only one late writing assignment) and this must be discussed with the instructor. I will not accept/grade any other late writing assignments.  This is important because you must complete, turn in and receive a grade for all assignments in order to pass this class.  In other words, a second late paper will result in failure of the course.

 

Students with Disabilities:  Anyone who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of his or her potential to succeed in this course must notify me as soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements and accommodations.

 

Grading:  Your final grade will be based upon two formal writing assignments, an oral presentation, midterm and final examinations, various in-class exercises and quizzes, class preparation and participation.  Please remember that smaller assignments and class participation are very important and do affect your grade.

• Formal Writing Assignments (**Discuss option to revise)

      Literary Analysis #1:  100 points

      Literary Analysis #2:  100 points

 

• Oral Presentation:  100 points

 

• Midterm and Final Examination:  100 points each (total 200 points)

 

• In-Class Assignments/Quizzes, Class Participation:  100 points

 

Academic Honesty Policy:  Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable.  You will receive a grade of F (0 points) for the exam that shows evidence of cheating.  You will receive a grade of F (0 points) for any paper that shows evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism.  You have the burden of proving that a paper showing evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism has in fact been written by you.  You should keep thorough evidence of your writing processes for all papers so that you can meet this burden of proof.  Stronger evidence of plagiarism may lead to further penalties.  Please note carefully the statement on plagiarism on the departmental website, found at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/EFLJ/plagiarism.asp.

 

Miscellaneous: Please note that you must complete all major assignments in order to pass this course.  In addition, it is vital that you keep up with all reading assignments.  All drafts and final papers for this course must be word-processed.  It is also important to save all work on disks, keeping back-ups if necessary.

 

Please feel free to come see me if you have any  problems or questions.  I believe communication is very important between an instructor and her students and, as a result, I will make myself available to you for any reason.

ENG 210 Assignment Schedule

Please note that this is a tentative schedule and changes can be made.

 

Week One

Jan 17:              Introduction to course; Review syllabus

                        HW:  Read introduction to Frankenstein pp 19-24/25

Jan. 19:             Discussion of literature, literary criticism and the figure of the monster;

                        Oral presentation assignments

                        HW:  Begin Frankenstein:  Read pp 24-87 (read through chapter 9)

 

Week Two

Jan. 24:             Begin discussion of Frankenstein:  Discuss both the first part of the novel and issues and events that may affect our reading of the novel and the figure of the monster

                        HW:  Read pp 87-147 (read through chapter 20, up to chapter 21of Frankenstein 

Jan. 26:             Discuss Frankenstein (up to page 107/Chapter 14);Watch video clip; overheads on Gothic text

                        HW: Be prepared to discuss Frankenstein in class on Tuesday

 

Week Three

Jan. 31:             Discuss Frankenstein; In-class reading and discussion; Watch video clip

                        HW:  Finish reading Frankenstein

Feb. 2:              Conclude discussion of Frankenstein

                        HW:  Begin reading Dracula (*This is important because this novel is long; if you follow the assignment schedule for reading assignments and read approximately 60 pages in each sitting, you will be right on track).

 

Week Four

Feb. 7:              Oral presentation #1 due as introduction to “Goblin Market”; Discuss “Goblin Market”

                        HW:  Read Dracula

Feb. 9:              Begin discussion on how to write a literary analysis; Distribute and discuss Literary Analysis Assignment; Video on monsters

                        HW:  Read poem “Goblin Market” pp 1-16 – will discuss on Tuesday; **Continue reading Dracula

 

Week Five

Feb. 14:            *Oral presentation #2 due as introduction to Dracula

Continue discussion of “Goblin Market”; In-class readings of other poems and excerpts in order to discuss the monster figures in these works

                        HW:  Continue reading Dracula

Feb. 16:            Discussion of Dracula (be sure to have read up to page 139); video clip

                        HW:  Continue reading Dracula

 

Week Six

Feb. 21:            Discuss Dracula (be sure to have read up to page 258)

                        HW:  Finish reading Dracula

Feb. 23:            Conclude discussion of Dracula; video clip

 

 

(continued)

Week Seven

Feb. 28:            Literary Analysis Due This Week (can turn in today or Thursday); Watch movie

Mar. 2:             Literary Analysis Due! (can turn in no later than today); Finish watching movie; **Review for Midterm– distribute study guide

                        HW:  Study for midterm!

 

Week Eight

Mar. 7:             Midterm Examination

                        HW:  Read pp 1-52 of Dorian Gray

Mar. 9:             Oral presentation #3 due as introduction to The Picture of Dorian Gray; Begin discussion of  Dorian Gray; video clip

                        HW:  Finish reading Dorian Gray for March 23!

 

Week Nine       Spring Break!

                       

Week Ten

Mar. 21:            Conclude discussion of Dorian Gray

                        HW:  Begin reading The Crucible:  Read the Introduction and Act One

Mar. 23:            Oral presentation #4 due; Begin discussion of The Crucible (watch video?)

                        HW:  Read Act Two

 

Week Eleven

Mar. 28:            Discuss The Crucible

                        HW:  Finish reading The Crucible -- Read Acts Three and Four

Mar. 30:            Discuss The Crucible; In-class video; Distribute and discuss Literary Analysis Assignment

                        HW:  Begin reading Interview With The Vampire

 

Week Twelve

Apr. 4:              Watch movie

                        HW:  Read Interview With the Vampire up to at least page 95 (go ahead if possible)

Apr. 6:              Conclude movie; Oral presentation #5 due; Begin discussion of Interview With the Vampire

                        HW:  Read Interview With the Vampire pp 95-147

 

Week Thirteen

Apr. 11:            Discuss Interview With the Vampire

                        HW:  Read Interview With the Vampire pp 147-200

Apr. 13:            Discuss Interview With The Vampire; Discussion of the vampire in popular culture; watch video (vampires)

                        HW: Read Interview With the Vampire pp 200-250

 

Week Fourteen

Apr. 18:            Watch video (vampires); Discuss Literary Analysis #2

                        HW:  Finish reading Interview With the Vampire

Apr. 20:            Conclude discussion of Interview With the Vampire

 

 

 

(continued)

Week Fifteen

Apr. 25:            Watch movie; distribute study guide

                        HW:  Complete literary analysis

Apr. 27:            Last day of class; Review for final examination; Conclude movie; Literary Analysis Due!

                        HW:  Study for final examination!

 

 

 

Final Examination Week Begins May 3.