Missouri Western State University  College of Liberal Arts and Sciences  Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism ENG 460-01 Selected Studies in Literary Period/Movement: Sex, Greed and Gore--The Human Beast in Literature Murphy Hall 106, 3:30-6:20, R  Fall 2008   "Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love at any time, madam, is all that distinguishes us from the other animals." --Pierre de Beaumarchais

Professor: Dr. Roberts
Office: SSC 222G
Phone: 816-271-5810
E-mail: robertsi@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours: 1:00-3:30 TR

Course Description and Philosophy:
Governed by lust, avarice, jealousy, pride and sloth? Join the club! Forget the flowery prose and polite lies as we read about the human beast in dark, explicit, scary works of literature shaped by Darwin and Freud, war and crime, instinct and passion. Is human nature essentially good, evil, or indifferent? To what extent are we controlled by our heredity and environment? The answers we encounter may surprise you. Prerequistites for the course are ENG 108 or 112 and ENG 210 or 220. LAS Ethics.

In its various programs and offerings, the Department of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism works toward four goals: (1) an improvement of communication skills through practice in diverse types of expository and imaginative writing; (2) a development of critical thinking through exposure to and interpretation of the various world views offered in literary works; (3) an increased appreciation of literature, its backgrounds, history, and values through an analysis and discussion of authors and literary works covering a wide range of attitudes, perspectives, and expressions; (4) a deeper understanding of one's own culture and a tolerance and acceptance of things foreign through a study and appreciation of another language and culture. In all of its programs, the department encourages its students to grow in self-knowledge and the knowledge of others through its emphasis on the humane and liberal characteristics of its offerings.

Required Materials:

• Bierce, Ambrose. Civil War Stories of Ambrose Bierce .
• Cain, James M. The Postman Always Rings Twice.
• Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. (available online)
• Darwin, Charles. Origin of Species (Ch. 14) and Descent of Man (Ch. 21) (both available online)
• London, Jack. To Build a Fire and Other Stories.
• Norris, Frank. McTeague: A Story of San Francisco.
• Wells, H. G. The Island of Dr. Moreau.
• Wright, Richard. Native Son.
• An up-to-date unabridged college dictionary.
• Stamina and good humor.

• Holman, C. Hugh and William Harmon. A Handbook to Literature . 11th ed. New York: Macmillan, 2009.

Instructor's Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance is an essential part of the student's educational experience and a requirement for an adequate evaluation of student academic progress. For this and other reasons, attendance is mandatory. If you have more than one unexcused absence during the semester, your final grade will be seriously affected. Excessive absences will result in failure of the course. Chronic lateness and/or leaving early will count toward absences. Excused absences involve acting as an official representative of the university after prior notification from the faculty/staff supervisor of the event. At the instructor's discretion, an absence may be excused in the case of a documented and unforeseen emergency. All other absences will be deemed unexcused.

You are responsible for material covered or assignments given during your absence, so ask another student to inform you of what happened while you were gone. Note that not all in-class activities and assignments can fairly and adequately be "made up," even in the case of an excused absence. For example, unless you have a time machine, you cannot go back and participate in carefully scheduled and directed classroom discussions or group activities after the fact. Moreover, such context dependent and interpersonal participation is central to the course.

If I should be unable to meet class, you will be notified by the secretary, a fellow instructor, or by an officially stamped and dated note on the classroom door.

Preparation and Participation:
You are required to make significant contributions to class in the form of preparation and participation. Participation includes the help you give to fellow students and the contributions you make to class discussion. Active and insightful contributions to class discussion are therefore not "extra credit." Like the written assignments, your tactful and substantive comments are part of the minimal requirements for successful completion of the course. If you are a naturally quiet person, force yourself to be more vocal; do not assume that if I do not call on you that you need not participate, as it is your responsibility to voice your observations at appropriate and relevant times. Conversely, if you are a naturally talkative person, you may have to restrain yourself so that everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Since you obviously cannot make up for discussions from which you were absent, attendance is again critical.

Why is discussion so important? Because live classroom discussion:

• gives me an additional indication of how closely and thoughtfully you have read, enabling me to evaluate your knowledge and abilities more fairly and accurately.
• helps you think in terms of the subject matter by giving you practice in thinking.
• helps you learn to evaluate the logic of and evidence for your own and others' positions.
• helps you learn what counts as evidence and how to evaluate knowledge claims.
• helps you understand how knowledge is arrived at in the discipline.
• gives you practice arguing with others respectfully and professionally.
• gives you opportunities to formulate applications of principles.
• helps you construct knowledge you can recall and apply when needed.
• gives you prompt feedback on difficult or confusing issues and material.
• increases your retention of material through explaining, summarizing, and questioning.
• stimulates new ideas, approaches, questions, reading and research.

Assignment Requirements:
All out of class written assignments for this course must be word processed unless otherwise specified. Non-word processed submissions will be returned with no credit. Assignments should follow MLA format, using no larger than twelve point typ and one inch margins. Pages should be stapled together before you come to class (do not use folders or paper clips and do not fold down the corners of papers). Do not throw away any work you do for this class, from notes to drafts to final papers, and keep back-up copies of all papers you turn in to me.

All assignments are due at the beginning of the hour on the due date. Learning is a cumulative process, and each assignment is designed to build on the previous one. As late work disrupts this important aspect of the learning process, no late work will be accepted without prior notification and approval.

Grading:
The standards for college English classes are higher than those used in high schools. All the guidelines and standards for classes at MWSU are similar to those used by other colleges and universities throughout the country. You, as a serious student, will appreciate the fact that we hold high standards for your work. Your grade will be determined by the quality of your daily work, short writings, and exams, as well as by your preparation and participation. Assignments will be evaluated according to how well they meet the requirements outlined in the assignment description and the following general scale.

A = Superior
B = Above Average
C = Average
D = Minimum = passing below average
F = Failing

Short Writings and Daily Assignments = 25%
Mid-Term Exam = 25%
Final Exam = 25%
Critical Paper = 25%

Instructor's Policy on Academic Honesty:

Plagiarism is a most serious offense and, therefore, will incur harsh punishment. Don't think you won't get caught; writing style is distinctive and verifiable. It is the student's responsibility to prove to the instructor's satisfaction that all work is their own.

Institutional Policy on Academic Honesty and Due Process:

Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors. Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another’s work, falsifying documents or academic records, or any other fraudulent activity. Violations of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in the course, or expulsion from the University. When a student’s grade has been affected, violations of academic honesty will be reported to the Provost or designated representative on the Academic Honesty Violation Report forms. Please see the Student Handbook and calendar for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and the student due process procedure. This handbook is also available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf.

Disabilities:
Any student who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me immediately so that we can discuss class requirements.

General:
This syllabus is of a contractual nature, and by remaining in the course you acknowledge your acceptance of its stipulations in their entirety. If the goals, policies, procedures, standards, expectations, or obligations are unclear, then you should speak with me immediately. If they are clear but unacceptable to you, then you should drop the course.

If you choose to remain in the course, be sure to keep a copy of this syllabus with you and to refer to it regularly. Policies are enforced without exception to ensure uniformity and predictability, to avoid confusion and anxiety, and to facilitate fairness and objectivity for all students. In the interest of efficiency, however, I reserve the right to make necessary alterations to this syllabus and to make announced changes in daily plans. Any announcements made in class automatically supersede this syllabus. It is your responsibility to find out about announced changes.

Final Thoughts:
For further explanations, comments, and advice, I am available during office hours. For additional help outside of class, I strongly recommend the Center for Academic Support.

I genuinely want you to succeed in this class and at MWSC generally. I therefore urge you to keep in mind that what you gain from this course, and your from your education generally, is proportional to the amount of productive time and careful attention you devote to it. In the words of Abigail Adams (1744-1818), "Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence."

Course Outline:
This outline shows major readings and assignments, but additional readings and assignments will be given in class throughout the semester. 

8/28     Introduction; Crimes and Misdemeanors (film)

9/4       Darwin and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (film adaptation)

9/11     The Island of Doctor Moreau and film adaptation

9/18     The Island of Doctor Moreau and film, continued

9/25     The Postman Always Rings Twice and film adaptation

10/2     The Postman Always Rings Twice and film, continued

10/9     Midterm Exam

10/16   Native Son and Devil in a Blue Dress (film)

10/23   Native Son and Devil in a Blue Dress, continued

10/30   Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now (film)

11/6     Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now, continued

11/13   McTeague and The Talented Mr. Ripley (film)

11/20   McTeague and The Talented Mr. Ripley, continued

12/4     Jack London, specific stories to be announced 

12/11   Final Exam Period: 2:00-3:50