Course Description
and Objectives:
For
readers of literature, the question is not about "enjoyment," that's a
given. The questions that are more
pressing are: Why is literature enjoyable?; Why is literature meaningful? What does it tell us about the world? Is literature "stable" over
time and across geography? These
questions, among many others, are at the heart of what it means to be a student
of literature. The other side of
being a student of literature is the responsibility of helping others interpret
what they read by writing critically,
analytically, and thoughtfully about texts.
This
is what you signed up for when you decided to be an English major. And it's also what you signed up for
when you chose to take this course.
So, what you're in for during this course is an introduction to the
methodologies and theories that help explore "how literature means." You'll come to grips with these
theories so that you can use them as tools in the future to understand texts and inevitably, how to explain their
significance to others. This isn't
just a pastime! Language matters
in everything we do, whether it's science, engineering, politics, education,
the law, and business. What I want
to instill in this course, over an above all of the content, is a strong sense
of pride and pragmatism in the choice to study English.
As
a writing-intensive course required of all UNC Charlotte English majors, you
can expect a substantial amount of reading and more than a few writing
assignments. Essays, practice
writing assignments, class discussions, and presentations are all designed to
help students develop writing, reading, and critical thinking skills.
We
have one "guiding" text, Bressler, which will be our source for understanding
various theories. Our other two
texts, Jane Eyre and In Memoriam, A. H. H., are the "subject"
texts, to which we'll apply the theories we're studying. Why these texts? First, they're both MAJOR canonical
texts in English literature, second, one is an important novel, the other is a
book length poem, both were written within two years of each other (JE, 1847,
IM, 1849) in an era of revolutionary and evolutionary excitement, and one is by
a male author, the other by a female.
So, be prepared to be Victorian in terms of subject material!
Required Texts: Bressler, Charles. Literary
Criticism. 4th
Edition.
Brontė, Charlotte. Jane
Eyre. (Norton)
Tennyson, Alfred. In
Memoriam. (Norton)
Bedford Glossary (Recommended)
Guides to writing/LitCrit on my website:
THE READING SCHEDULE FOR ALAN'S 3100
Course Policies:
Attendance is, of course, required, but course participation
involves more than just showing up. It requires you to keep up with the
reading and writing assignments, as well as participating in workshops and
class discussions. This course deals with theoretical issues as well as
practical assignments, so what happens in class is CRITICAL. Bring your books to class!! Eat in the Prospector, not in the classroom!
If you're having problems, talk to me! Don't miss class because you're
a little late, but try NOT to be late.
Bring your books to class and write marginal notes in your books!
Late Policy: If for some
reason, you cannot hand in an assignment on the due date, email me and tell me
when—within a week—you'll have it submitted. You don't have to tell me why, just
when. Until that new due date,
there is no penalty. From that point on, I'll deduct 5 points (/100) per day.
Academic Integrity:
Every student is obliged to comply with UNC
Charlotte's code for "Academic Integrity." First and foremost the policy
states: "Students are also members of the academic community. As responsible
members of the University, students are obligated not to violate the basic
standards of integrity, and they are expected to take an active role in
encouraging other members to respect those standards. Should a student suspect
a violation of academic integrity, he/she should make the suspicion known to a
member of the faculty or University administration." The full text of the code can be found at:
http://www.legal.uncc.edu/policies/ps-105.html
If you are uncertain
about what "plagiarism" means
or how to avoid it, come
and talk to me!
Disabilities
Modification Statement
Students
who have a condition that may impair their ability to complete assignments or
otherwise satisfy course criteria are encouraged to meet with the instructor to
identify, discuss, and document any feasible instructional modifications or
accommodations. Please inform the instructor about circumstances no later than
the second week of the semester or as soon as possible after a disability or
condition is diagnosed, whichever occurs earliest. For information and auxiliary
assistance, contact the Disabilities Resources Center.
Writing
Requirements:
To
the end of teaching you how to produce a polished piece of literary analysis we
will be working on written assignments that allow for feedback and revision.
These assignments fall into three kinds: short, practice writings, take-home
essay exams, and original essays.
Assignments: %
Extended
Definition.....................................5
What
do I bring to the text?..........................5
London
Times – Assignment......................10
London
Times – Presentation........................5
Gender
construction.....................................10
Paper
1 - Viewing Jane Eyre........................15
Function
of a tight rhyme.............................10
Psycho-Tennyson.........................................10
Final
Paper....................................................20
Participation..................................................10
Grading Scale for
Graded Assignments and Final Grade:
A=90-100 B=80-89 C=70-79 D= 60-69 F= Below 60
Definition of A, B,
C, D, and F Grades
Your
final grade integrates all of the assignments above, including participation.
An 'A' means your work was excellent—not mediocre, average, or just good.
A 'B' means your work was good—not quite excellent but definitely above
average and thoughtful. A 'C' means your work was adequate enough to satisfy
the assignment, but may show a lack of effort or thought for the assignment
guidelines. A 'D' or 'F' usually means assignments were late, missing, or
incomplete—often this work does not demonstrate appropriate college-level
work for a 3000-level course.
Right to Make
Changes
There
may well be good reasons for making changes to the syllabus when necessary.
Toward the end of the semester there's a bit of a buffer in case we get
"behind" on certain topics.
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