ENGL 2500.006 Mon/Wed 3:20pm – 4:50pm Introduction to Literary Lang 314 Fall 2014 Analysis and Interpretation University of North Texas

Professor Ybarra Email: [email protected] Office Hours: W 10am - 1 pm, or by appointment Office: Language 407E

Course Description We will read and discuss works that prompt a better understanding of what it means to take up the art and practice of literary study. Our readings will introduce you to or reorient you towards foundational concepts in literary studies. This course requires on-time reading of assigned texts and demands a great deal of in-class participation. You will also complete several writing assignments.

Course Purpose (from the UNT Catalog) Prepares majors to understand literature and to articulate their understanding in essays supported by carefully analyzed evidence from assigned works. Covers basic critical vocabulary, the major literary genres (poetry, drama, fiction) and the conventions that govern these genres. Students learn to evaluate multiple interpretations of a text.

Required Texts: --check class website regularly: pybarra.weebly.com ; password: michel --MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th Edition --Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms --Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya -- Online readings available on our class website: pybarra.weebly.com; click on tab for 2500 ***REQUIRED: PRINT PDFs, READ PDFs, AND BRING PDFs TO CLASS*** optional text: Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction by Jonathan Culler

Expected Learning Outcomes • Ability to write clear close-reading analyses • Understanding of assigned reading materials discussing key concepts of literary studies • Ability to approach texts via multiple possible interpretations • Ability to write a convincing research-based literary analysis essay

These expected learning outcomes will be measured by means of the assignments listed below, including grade percentages for each assignment: • (20%) Two 500-word Essays • (20%) Reading Quizzes (drop 3 lowest grades) • (20%) Regular participation in class discussion; including attendance, asking questions, responding to questions, and responding to other students’ comments • (15%) Midterm Exam • (10%) Annotated Bibliography • (15%) Final Research Essay (1500 words)

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Special Notes • ATTENDANCE Students should endeavor to attend every class. Roll will be taken at every meeting. Up to two absences are permitted. I do not accept notes or explanations. Use your absences wisely. After two absences, the student begins lose one letter grade on his or her existing participation grade for each subsequent absence. Six absences result in an F for the entire course.

• Academic Honesty Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a "0" for that particular assignment or exam. Additionally, the incident will be reported to the Dean of Students, who may impose further penalty. According to the UNT catalog, the term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to: a. use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; b. dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; c. the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a faculty or staff member of the university; d. dual submission of a paper or project, or resubmission of a paper or project to a different class without express permission from the instructor(s); or e. any other act designed to give a student an unfair advantage. The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to: a. the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment; and b. the knowing or negligent unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

• ADA STATEMENT The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.

• The University Writing Lab, UNT’s Writing Lab offers free face-to-face and online tutoring to all UNT students (from incoming first year students to graduate students). Their website offers schedules of workshops; information about tutoring services; and games and other resources for grammar, punctuation, punctuation, and more. Contact them by phone (940-565-2563); e-mail ([email protected]); or in person (Room 105, Auditorium Building). Their website is located at http://www.unt.edu/writinglab/.

2 SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS (subject to adjustment; come to class every meeting to find out)

UNIT A: On Literary Study

Week One 08/25 • Course description, goals, schedule of assignments, introductions 08/27 • Culler, “Chapter 2: What is Literature and Does It Matter?” (online)

Week Two M 09/01 LABOR DAY; NO CLASS

W 09/03 • Culler, “Chapter 3: Literature and Cultural Studies” (online)

Week Three M 09/08 • Culler, “Chapter 4: “Language, Meaning, Interpretation” (online) W 09/10 • Culler, “Chapter 4: Language, Meaning, Interpretation” (online) • Read short story (online) • Assign Essay 1 (online)

Week Four M 09/15 • Culler, “Chapter 5: Rhetoric, Poetics, Poetry” (online) W 09/17 • Culler, “Chapter 6: Narrative” (online)

Week Five M 09/22 • Essay 1 DUE • Culler, “Chapter 6: Narrative” (online) W 09/24 • Culler, “Chapter 8: Identity” (online)

Week Six M 09/29 • Culler, “Chapter 1: What is Theory?” (online) W 10/01 • Culler, “Chapter 9: Ethics and Aesthetics” (online)

Week Seven M 10/06 • Review for Midterm W 10/08 • MIDTERM: BRING A BLUE BOOK

3 UNIT B: Applications

Week Eight M 10/13 • Eagleton, “Chapter 5: How to Read a Poem” (online) W 10/15 • Eagleton, “Chapter 6: Four Nature Poems” (online) • Assign Essay 2 (online)

Week Nine M 10/20 • ESSAY 2 DUE • Revisit Culler’s “Narrative” (online) W 10/22 • Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima; Chapters 1-5

Week Ten M 10/27 • Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima; Chapters 6-11 W 10/29 • Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima; Chapters 12-15

Week Eleven: M 11/3 • Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima; Chapters 16-22 • Assign Final Essay and Annotated Bibliography Project W 11/5 • Annotated Bibliography Working Session

Week Twelve M 11/10 • Annotated Bibliography Working Session W 11/12 • ALL Annotated Bibliographies due • ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY PRESENATIONS

Week Thirteen M 11/17 • ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY PRESENATIONS W 11/19 • Drama reading, (online)

Week Fourteen M 11/24 • Moraga, The Hungry Woman: A Mexican

W 11/26 • NO CLASS; COMPLETE READING The Hungry Woman: A Mexican Medea

4 Week Fifteen M 12/1 • Moraga, The Hungry Woman: A Mexican Medea

W 12/3 • LAST DAY OF CLASS: OVERVIEW

FINAL ESSAY DUE at LANG 407E: W, 12/10/14, 3:30PM

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