ENG 104.05: Introduction to Literature
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ENG 104.05: Introduction to Literature Fall 2010 When: MWF 1:00 – 1:50 PM Where: Petty Science Building 219 Who: Michael Zinkowski Office: McIver 112, MW 2:00-3:30 PM Get in touch: [email protected]
Course Description Why is the close study of literature so important and enduring? From the start of this class we’ll grapple with this question, review the reasons others have come up with, and generate some of our own. Then, we’ll explore three books of poetry, a play, and several short stories, fostering a personal engagement with each of the texts and how they act on us. If we can allow ourselves to become personally engaged with the material then the answers to our initial question will become much clearer. We’ll dissect the material thematically as well as structurally in order to realize that story telling of these three kinds can be power, and power is both personal as well as political.
Required Texts/Materials 1. Hamilton, Sharon. Essential Literary Terms: A Brief Norton Guide with Exercises. Norton. 2006. ISBN 978-0-393-92837-2 2. Kushner, Tony. Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches. Theatre Communications Group. 1993. ISBN 978-1559360616 3. Rich, Adrienne. Diving into the Wreck. W. W. Norton & Company. 1994. ISBN 978-0393311631 4. Driskill, Qwo-Li. Walking with Ghosts. Salt Publishing. 2005. ISBN 978-1844711130 5. Hall, Donald. Without. Mariner Books. 1999. ISBN 978-0395957653 6. Readings on Blackboard (either .doc, .docx or.pdf files) (referred to as BB)
Please bring the appropriate text to class so that you can refer to specific passages when you participate aloud, in small groups, or when you are listening to your fellow classmates. Frequently there will be additional readings on Blackboard to supplement the literature. All of the short stories, in fact, will be on Blackboard. You will be responsible for reading, printing and bringing these to class as well.
Student Learning Goals At the completion of this course, you will be able to: ENG 104.05: Introduction to Literature Fall 2010 --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.
Class Expectations Attendance/Tardiness: As a member of this classroom community you are responsible to be here on time, every time, to begin class at 1:00 so that you may participate in activities, talk about the readings, and learn from me as well as fellow classmates’ insights. However, you are allowed a maximum of four absences without penalty toward your grade. Excused or unexcused, you have 4 total. For every absence beyond the 4 allowed, you will drop one-half letter grade. If you miss eight classes you will fail the course. If you are having persistent health issues then I strongly suggest you drop the course. If you are more than 10 minutes late, I will consider you tardy. Four counts of tardiness will count as one absence. If tardiness becomes a consistent issue I may contact you on the subject via email. Grade Evaluation: Participation/In-Class Writing – 20% Group Project/Presentation – 25% First Exam 15% Second Exam 15% Third Exam 25% Participation: This class will consist of a mix of informal lectures and class discussion, meaning that I will not be talking for all 50 minutes. Anything we do in class (in-class writing/brainstorming, discussion, small group discussion) will count towards your participation grade. I recommend that you closely read everything on the course schedule for that day, take notes, and write down any questions you have. If you don’t know what a word means I advise you to look it up. Struggled with the reading? That’s okay. Literature can be tough, sometimes. But, you all have legitimate and unique responses to the texts. Whether the readings felt like a cool summer breeze or painful brain surgery, I encourage you to share your responses in class as long as you are willing to engage with the work and deconstruct your opinions. On that note, mutual respect of others is the standard by which we will conduct ourselves in this class. We will honor one another as individuals and will value each person’s right to express his or her own responses. If we disagree, we will not argue. Instead, we will ask productive questions of ourselves and others. We will listen with as much enthusiasm as we will talk. As a member of this class, I agree 1. to be an active participant; ENG 104.05: Introduction to Literature Fall 2010 2. to listen carefully when others are speaking; 3. to think about new ideas; 4. to recognize that there are no easy solutions to complex problems; 5. to consider the personal meaning of subjects discussed; 6. to support a democratic classroom process; and 7. to observe confidentiality Exams: Throughout the semester we will have 3 exams, one for each unit. These exams will allow you to critically reflect on the texts we’ve covered and will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions, as well as one essay each. Group Project/Presentation: In groups of 4, we will spend a week presenting on a topic of our choosing as long as it’s related to a text we’ve covered in class or literature at large. If related to literature but not to a text in class, the topic should still be specific as well as developed, and cover thematic as well as structural issues. Your grade will consist of a group-written paper, a proposal for the project, as well as more specific guidelines for the presentation, which we’ll discuss midway through the semester.
General Classroom Expectations Late Work: While we don’t have a lot of written work, if and when we do it is due in paper form at the beginning of class. If you bring official documentation stating why you happened to be absent from a class and were unable to hand in work, then I will accept it. Otherwise, late work is not accepted for any credit. Laptops and Cell Phones and iPods OH MY!: As stated before, in order to do well in this class you must be able to listen well and discuss openly the readings due on that day. With that understood I stand by a strict electronic equipment policy; from the time I begin class until the end, all cell phones, iPods and any other piece of electronic equipment should be away in a backpack, purse, lunch pail or pocket. If I notice that you have left a cell phone(etc…) out in plain sight or you are using it (for example, texting) during class time you will be counted as absent for that day. I may or may not let you know; by receiving this syllabus and remaining a member of this class you agree to this policy. Laptops may be used in class only by students having a special need for purposes of note- taking or other classroom activities. Students with such a need should make specific arrangements with me. No student may use a laptop in class without prior arrangement. E-mail Response: I will make every effort to respond to your e-mail message within forty-eight hours. If I have not replied to your message after forty-eight hours, then please re-send the message. Also, please check your iSpartan account because I will often send out class-wide emails. Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, ENG 104.05: Introduction to Literature Fall 2010 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
Additional Resources The Office of Disability Services: 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 any writing project. 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. *Note: I worked at the Writing Center for two semesters and would highly encourage you to seek it out if you need help with this or any other class. The Learning Assistance Center: The Learning Assistance Center offers free services to the entire UNCG undergraduate community and is located in McIver Hall, rooms 101-104, and 150. For help with study skills, contact Erin Farrior, Academic Skills specialist. Telephone: 334-3878; e-mail: [email protected]. Course Schedule: M 8/23 Introduction to Course/Syllabus Overview W 8/25 “Why Study Literature” (BB external link) F 8/27 ELT: “Poetry” 13-14. Oliver, “Reading Poems” 10-12 (BB). Collins, “Introduction to Poetry” (BB). Sellers, “Parts of Poems” 289 – 94 (BB).
M 8/30 Diving into the Wreck, Part I, 3-24 W 9/1 Part I continued… selections from Martin, An American Triptych (BB) ENG 104.05: Introduction to Literature Fall 2010 F 9/3 Diving into the Wreck, Part II, 27-31
M 9/6 NO CLASS W 9/8 Diving into the Wreck, Part III, 35-51 F 9/10 Diving into the Wreck, Part IV, 55-62
M 9/13 Walking With Ghosts, 1-31 + Oliver, “Diction, Tone & Voice” 76-91 (BB) W 9/15 Walking With Ghosts, 32-61 F 9/17 Walking With Ghosts, 62-93
M 9/20 Walking With Ghosts wrap-up W 9/22 Without, 2-30 F 9/24 Without, 31-45
M 9/27 Without 46-67. Oliver, “Imagery” 92-108 (BB) W 9/29 Without, 68-81 F 10/1 Poetry Exam
M 10/4 NO CLASS W 10/6 Hamilton, “Drama,” 1-7 + “Dialogue,” 132-43 F 10/8 Kushner, “Some Questions About Tolerance” (BB)
M 10/11 Angels in America , Act 1- Scenes 1-5 + ELT: “Roles in the Plot” 129-31 W 10/13 Angels in America, Act 1 – Scenes 6-9 F 10/15 Act 1 continued + Kushner, “American Things” (BB) *Assign Group Projects
M 10/18 Angels in America, Act 2 – Scenes 1-5 W 10/20 Angels in America, Act 2 – Scenes 6-10 F 10/22 Watch one episode of HBO miniseries + compare
M 10/25 Angels in America, Act 3 – Scenes 1-4 *Group Proposals Due W 10/27 Angels in America, Act 3 – Scenes 5 – 7 F 10/29 Drama Exam
M 11/1 ELT: “Short Story” 11 + “Structure” 167-176
W 11/3 Raymond Carver “Cathedral” 297-308 (BB) F 11/5 “Cathedral” continued + Sellers, “Parts of Narrative” 281-89 (BB) *Time given halfway through class to work on group projects.
M 11/8 Michael Cunningham “White Angel” 243-56 (BB) ELT: “Voice” 112-31 W 11/10 Michael Cunningham “White Angel” finish ENG 104.05: Introduction to Literature Fall 2010 F 11/12 Jessica Shattuck, “Bodies” 180-90 (BB)
M 11/15 “Bodies” continued + Sellers, “Layers: Adding Dimension” 155-60 (BB) W 11/17 Marisa Silver, “What I Saw From Where I Stood” 167-78 (BB) F 11/19 “What I Saw” + ELT: “Selection and Order of Details” 99-101 *Time given halfway through class to work on group projects.
M 11/22 Jamaica Kincaid “Girl” (BB) + Tobias Wolff “Say Yes” (BB) ELT: “Characterization” 125 – 127 W 11/24 NO CLASS F 11/26 NO CLASS
M 11/29 Group Presentations W 12/1 Group Presentations F 12/3 Group Presentations
M 12/6 Fiction Exam W 12/8 Final Exam Period (Noon – 3pm)