ENG 105-15 / Introduction to Narrative
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ENG 105-15 / Introduction to Narrative Course Syllabus Fall 2011
Section Instructor: Daniel Burns ([email protected]) Location/Time: Bryan 216 / TR 2:00-3:15 Office/Ph: MHRA 3210F / 334-5867 (x5867) Hrs: TR 11:15-12:15, and by appointment
Catalog Description Critical reading and analysis of American and British novels, short stories, and narrative poems. Attention to historical, cultural, and literary backgrounds as appropriate.
Course Description Critic Robert Scholes characterizes narrative as the organization of time in a given piece of prose, poetry, drama, or nonfiction. With this general definition in mind, our course explores the various critical conversations at work within the history and theory of literary narrative fictions. In a survey of the field, we will examine various formal and generic innovations that complicate and enrich our understanding of “literature” per se, including popular music, film, narrative comic art, cultural studies, and digital media.
Student Learning Goals At the completion of this course, the student will be able to: --Identify and understand varied characteristics of literature; --Apply techniques of literary analysis to texts; --Use literary study to develop skills in careful reading and clear writing; --Demonstrate understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted.
Required Texts and Materials The following texts and materials are available for purchase in the campus bookstore, Addams bookstore, and online. Unless instructed otherwise, you will be expected to bring these texts and materials to each class meeting. NOTE: Remaining enrolled in this course depends on your purchasing the texts in the editions listed. Consistent unpreparedness in this regard may result in points deducted from the final daily percentage, early dismissal from class (with an absence), or being dropped from the course altogether.
. Abbott, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. 2nd edition. New York: Cambridge UP, 2008. Print. ISBN: 978-0521715157. . Johnson, James Weldon. The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man and Other Writings. 1912. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2007. ISBN: 978-1593082895. . Pynchon, Thomas. The Crying of Lot 49. 1965. New York: HarperPerennial, 2006. Print. ISBN: 978-0060913076.
. Blackboard readings. Students are responsible for printing and bringing these documents to class.
Other Materials . 3-4 examination books for the midterm and final examination.
Online Requirements . Online access (via library or computer lab if a personal desktop or laptop is unavailable) and iSpartan email account (checked daily) 2
. Blackboard account—login/password provided when you open your student computer accounts (checked daily).
Academic Integrity “Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic resources, falsification, and facilitating academic dishonesty. If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated, it must be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be tolerated” (from UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy). To ensure that you understand the university’s policy on academic integrity, review the guidelines and list of violations at
Evaluation and Assignments Weekly Reading Quizzes [30%] These brief quizzes are not devised to check whether or not you are reading (easy enough to detect from participation). Rather, they are intended to get you thinking about salient points relative to the various course texts and our ongoing discussion about the historical features of narrative. Because I do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences, these quizzes cannot be made up; however, for the purposes of general study I will furnish you with a copy for future reference (especially for the midterm and final).
Midterm Examination (take-home) [25%] This in-class midterm examination will be composed of a short objective section, as well as short answer and essay questions drawn from class notes, weekly quizzes, and discussion. A review sheet will be circulated in class well in advance of this assignment.
Final Examination (in-class) [30%] The final examination, through which students demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the course notes and texts, is composed of a brief objective section, and five essay questions. Though students will need to know narrative theory from throughout the entire term, the primary texts (short stories, novel, films) used will only involve those studied post-midterm.
Participation and Attendance [15%] The class participation grade is determined by an average of your attendance record and evidence of in- class oral communication skills, as well as taking into consideration your overall preparedness during the semester. You are allowed three absences for any reason. Each additional missed class will result in a deduction of one half your final participation grade. I do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences. Six absences results in a grade of WF.
Breakdown 1-absence 100 2-absences 100 3-absences 100 4-absences participation cut by 50% 5-absences participation grade=0 6-absences a course grade of F 3
You should attend every class and be on time. If you are more than fifteen minutes late, I will record this as an absence. (Note: persistent inability to make it to class in a timely fashion may be dealt with in the form of deductions from your final class participation grade—three tardies=absence.) If you miss a class, regardless of the reason, you are responsible for contacting a classmate so that you can arrange a way to get notes. Please feel free to take a few minutes to record the name and e-mail address or phone number of two colleagues nearest your seat.
Criteria for Participation As an exercise in self-evaluation, at the last class meeting you will indicate both the appropriate letter grade for your oral communication skills in the course, and, specifically, where your grade falls along the range of a given letter’s distribution. You will also account briefly (on a separate sheet) for why you feel you deserve this grade, supplying an alternative perspective to mine about the semester’s progress. I take these self-evaluations seriously and appreciate your honest, detailed feedback about your performance. The criteria are as follows:
A Superior communicative skills; excellent preparation for class discussion; always volunteers; student exemplifies mastery, rigor, and intellectual curiosity regarding course readings and concepts while also introducing relevant independent insights to the discussion; student demonstrates enthusiasm and takes initiative, particularly during group activities.
B Good communicative skills; solid preparation for class discussion; consistently volunteers; student exemplifies interest and engagement regarding course readings and concepts; student demonstrates positive attitude; makes meaningful contributions during group activities.
C Adequate communicative skills; fair preparation for class discussion; occasionally volunteers; student exemplifies competence regarding course readings and concepts; student demonstrates an inoffensive, but noncommittal attitude; sporadic contributions during group activities.
D Limited communicative skills; uneven preparation for class; rarely volunteers; demonstrates indifference or irritation when prompted; inattentive during class; rare contributions during group activities. [Performance may be marked by other flaws: consistent tardiness; disruptive; etc.]
F Weak communicative skills; little to no preparation for class; little evidence of reading assignments (this can include not buying the course texts; or not making up missed material); never volunteers, or doesn’t respond when prompted; demonstrates potential hostility to discussion; irrelevant, distracting, or no contributions to group activities.
Grading Scale Per UNCG’s university-wide distribution, I will use the following scale to assign your final letter grade:
97 – 100%= A+ 77 – 79% = C+ 93 – 96% = A 73 – 76% = C 90 – 92% = A- 70 – 72% = C- 87 – 89% = B+ 67 – 69% = D+ 83 – 86% = B 63 – 66% = D 80 – 82% = B- 60 – 62% = D- 0 – 59% = F 4
Classroom Conduct Students with disciplinary problems tend to be few and far between at the college level; however, if behavioral disruptions persist within a single class meeting (or, for that matter, across multiple meetings), the student in question will be asked to leave the class session with points deducted from his/her participation grade and an absence for the day. Types of disruptive behavior can include any form of disrespectful comment or action directed toward me, another student, and/or the subject matter we are studying for a given unit’s content focus. I reserve the right to interpret inappropriate behaviors as I see fit and address them accordingly, and it goes without saying that remaining enrolled in my class is a tacit acknowledgment of this right. Note: Repeated text messaging, cell phone eruptions, or laptop activity that does not directly address the class assignments will also result in a substantial reduction to your participation average.
Late Submissions No late work of any kind will be accepted (this includes quizzes, which cannot be made up).
Accommodations Students with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me about accommodations as soon as possible. If you believe you could benefit from such accommodations, you must first register with the Office of Disability Services on campus before such accommodations can be made. The office is located on the second floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC) in Suite 215, and the office is open 8am to 5pm, Monday - Friday. Telephone: 334-5440; e-mail: [email protected].
The Writing Center The purpose of the Writing Center is to enhance the confidence and competence of student writers by providing free, individual assistance at any stage of writing preparation. Staff consultants are experienced writers and alert readers, prepared to offer feedback and suggestions on drafts of papers, help students find answers to their questions about writing, and provide one-on-one instruction as needed. Located in the Moore Humanities and Research Building, room 3211. 5
ENG 105-15 Course Calendar Fall 2011
Texts: BB—Blackboard* CAM—The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative CRY—The Crying of Lot 49 COL—The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
*Unless otherwise noted, all additional course texts can be found under “Course Documents.” Holidays/cancellations are highlighted.
WEEK ONE (T) 23 Aug Introduction to the course and course texts. HW: CH. 1: “NARRATING LIFE” (CAM).
(R) 25 Aug Discussion: Narrating Life; “A Short History of America” (Crumb). HW: CH. 13: “NARRATIVE CONTESTATION” (CAM).
WEEK TWO (T) 30 Aug Discussion/Notes: Narrative Contestation. HW: CH. 2: “DEFINING NARRATIVE” (CAM).
(R) 1 Sept QUIZ 1. Discussion/Notes: Defining Narrative. Narrative and non-narrative film clips. HW: [Review class clips: Chantal Akerman, Darren Aronofsky, Charles and Ray Eames, Stan Brakhage.]
WEEK THREE (T) 6 Sept QUIZ 2. Discussion/Notes: Defining Narrative. HW: CH. 4: “THE RHETORIC OF NARRATIVE” (CAM); “The Revenge and Reward of Neglected Daughters”: Two versions of Cinderella (Bb).
(R) 8 Sept Discussion/Notes: The Rhetoric of Narrative. Basile/Perrault. HW: “Happy Endings” (Bb); “A Conversation with My Father” (Bb)
WEEK FOUR (T) 13 Sept QUIZ 3. Discussion/Notes: The Rhetoric of Narrative; Atwood/Paley. HW: CH. 3: “THE BORDERS OF NARRATIVE” (CAM).
(R) 15 Sept Discussion/Notes: The Borders of Narrative. HW: CH. 1-3 (CRY).
WEEK FIVE (T) 20 Sept Discussion/Notes: Pynchon. HW: CH. 4-5 (CRY).
(R) 22 Sept QUIZ 4. Discussion/Notes: Pynchon. HW: CH. 6 (CRY).
WEEK SIX 6
(T) 27 Sept Discussion/Notes: Pynchon. HW: CH. 5: “CLOSURE” (CAM); “Sentence” (Bb).
(R) 29 Sept QUIZ 5. Discussion/Notes: Closure; Barthelme. HW: CH. 6: “NARRATION” (CAM).
WEEK SEVEN (T) 4 Oct Discussion/Notes: Narration. Midterm Review HW: Study for the midterm examination. Please bring two blank examination books for the test. We will use the entire class period for the test.
(R) 6 Oct MIDTERM EXAMINATION.
WEEK EIGHT (T) 11 Oct Fall Break HW: “Narrating” (8-38, Bb)
(R) 13 Oct QUIZ 6. The Free Indirect Style. Midterms returned with course average. HW: “Judgment Day” (Bb).
***Note: Friday, October 14 is the last day to drop without academic penalty***
WEEK NINE (T) 18 Oct Discussion/Notes: O’Connor. HW: CH. 7: “INTERPRETING NARRATIVE” (CAM); “Now I Lay Me” (Bb).
(R) 20 Oct QUIZ 7. Discussion/Notes: Interpreting Narrative; Hemingway. HW: CH. 9: “ADAPTATION ACROSS MEDIA” (CAM); “Watching Film” and “Film Terms” (Bb).
WEEK TEN (T) 25 Oct Discussion/Notes: Adaptation. Begin in-class screening: Rashomon.
(R) 27 Oct Finish in-class screening: Rashomon. HW: Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s: “Rashomon” and “In a Grove” (Bb).
WEEK ELEVEN (T) 1 Nov QUIZ 8. Discussion/Notes: Rashomon. HW: CH. 8: “THREE WAYS TO INTERPRET NARRATIVE” (CAM). Review O’Connor and Hemingway stories (Bb).
(R) 3 Nov Discussion/Notes: Intentional, Symptomatic, and Adaptive Readings. HW: CH. 10: “CHARACTER AND SELF IN NARRATIVE” (CAM); “Introduction”-CH. VIII. (COL).
WEEK TWELVE (T) 8 Nov QUIZ 9. Discussion/Notes: Johnson. CH. IX-XI (COL).
(R) 10 Nov Discussion/Notes: Johnson HW: CH. 12: “NARRATIVE WORLDS” (CAM); “Here” (Bb). 7
WEEK THIRTEEN (T) 15 Nov Discussion/Notes: Narrative Worlds; McGuire. In-class screening: Slacker.
(R) 17 Nov Discussion/Notes: Linklater; finish in-class screening: Slacker. HW: “The Garden of Forking Paths”; “The Library of Babel” (Bb).
WEEK FOURTEEN (T) 22 Nov QUIZ 10. Discussion/Notes: Borges. HW: “The Encyclopedia of the Dead (A Whole Life)” (Bb).
(R) 24 Nov Thanksgiving Break
WEEK FIFTEEN (T) 29 Nov QUIZ 11. Discussion/Notes: Kiš / Exam review.
(R) 1 Dec Exam review / Instructor Evaluations.
FINAL EXAM
Saturday, 10 December 3:30-6:30, Bryan 214.