Literature 2010

Course Requirements

Fall 2009

Instructor:                              Mrs. Victoria Gay

Office and Phone:                  C223 540-2859

E-mail:                                    gay@columbiastate.edu

Web Address                          vgay.columbiastate.edu

Office Hours:                
                                                                

DAY                                                                TIME

Course Description: Selected readings in world literature with attention to plot, characters, setting, theme, tone, style, and other aspects of literary genres, including short fiction, the novel, poetry, and drama; critical analyses of representative works. (Prerequisite: ENGL 1020) Credits: (3).

Course Requirements:

• Students will write two critical essays concerning some aspect of the material covered this semester. 
• There will also be three unit examinations, which will be both objective and short essay. 
• In addition, students will be responsible for writing questions in which they write a response (occasionally). 
• Students will also be given quizzes over the reading material (as deemed necessary) and in-class writing assignments, which will be given occasionally.  All assignments will be explained in detail in class and handouts (as needed) will be given for further explanation.

Grades: The final grade for this course will be assessed as follows:

·        Three examinations: 300 points (100 points each)

·        Two out-of-class papers: 200 points (100 points each)

·        Quizzes on daily assignments: (300 points)

·        Class participation: (100 points)

·        Class attendance: 100 points

A=1000-9000    B=899-800    C=799-700     D=699-600     F=600 or below

Assignment requirements:

• Each assignment must be typed/word processed and must be in MLA style. 
• Each assignment needs to be either 10 or 12-count font.  (Times New Roman or Courier) with standard 1” margins (double-spaced).
• Each essay must be a minimum of 500 words with a maximum of 700 words.
• Keep copies of all work submitted for grading.  In the case of loss or damage, you need to have another copy as backup.  Also, keep all of your graded and returned work for the semester filed in a folder.  Backup all of your work for this or any other course if you are using a computer or word processor.  Computer failure is a tragedy but not an excuse for late assignments. 

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as using another’s work, writing, or research and presenting it as your own.  Any assignment, turned into the instructor that is plagiarized will receive the grade of zero.  In addition, the student who plagiarizes is subject to dismissal from the course.

Text:

Capote, Truman.  In Cold Blood: A True Account of a Multiple Murder and Its Consequences.  New York: Knopf Doubleday, 1994.

Meyer, Michael.  The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing.   8^th ed.  New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008.

Attendance:

Class attendance is mandatory, and monitoring of class attendance is continuous.  You will earn a grade based on your attendance in class. This grade will constitute 10% of your total grade. One tardy will constitute half an absence.  Likewise, one early departure will constitute half an absence.

The schedule is as follows:

      0 absences = a grade of 100

      1 absence = a grade of 95

      2 absences = a grade of 90

      3 absences = a grade of 80

      4 absences = a grade of 70

      5 absences = a grade of 60

      6 absences = a grade of 50

      7 or more absences = 0

·        Out-of-class essays are due at the beginning of class on the dates indicated. 

·        LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNLESS PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE INSTRUCTOR.

·         Exams taken late are penalized a letter grade per school day, unless prior arrangements have been made. 

·        IN-CLASS QUIZZES CANNOT BE MADE UP.

·        Your decision to remain in this class indicates that you accept these policies. 

Objectives:

• To develop a clearer understanding of the characteristics specific to poetry, drama, the short story, and the novel
• To develop greater communication skills in the discussion of these traits
• To complete critical analyses of literary works
• To develop interpretive skills

Disability Services

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students are encouraged to register with the Counseling and Disability Services office for possible assistance with accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially provide appropriate documentation regarding the nature and extent of a disability. Students requesting special accommodation are encouraged to contact Counseling and Disability Services (931-540-2572) at the beginning of the semester.     

Emergency Procedure:

In case of emergency, students should be familiar with the classroom escape plan.  The plan for this classroom is located next to the door.  Students should also be familiar with the Emergency Guidelines information in the green booklet located near the room exit.  Should an emergency arise, students are to follow the directives of the professor.

 

Daily Course Schedule

Assignments need to be completed before the listed class meeting.  This schedule is subject to change according to our needs during the semester.  There is always a possibility that reading assignments may be shifted, added, or deleted with only a day’s notice.  You are responsible for any such changes, including those made in your absence.

Week 1

 September 1

Ø  Discussion of syllabus 

Ø  Discussion of Pages 13-46 (Reading Fiction)

September 3 

Ø  Continued Discussion of Pages 13-46

Week 2

 September 8 

Ø  Discussion of  Pages 67-76 (Plot) 

Ø  Discussion of  Pages 77-84, 95-106 ("Three Girls," "A Rose for Emily")

September 10

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 107-121 ("Killings")

Week 3

 September 15

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 123-144 (Character, "Saving Sourdi")

 September 17 

Ø  Discussion of Pages 182-190, 192-201 (Setting, "Soldier's Home," "Anthropology")

Week 4

 September 22

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 218-234  (Point of View, "We Came All the Way from Cuba So You Could Dress Like This")

 September 24
Ø  Discussion of Pages 270-284 (Symbolism, "Clothes," "The Hand")

Week 5

 September 29

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 304-307, 321-324 (Theme, "Love in L.A.")
October 1

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 339-343, 349-356, 358-373 (Style, Tone, Irony, "Lust," "Brownies")

Week 6

 October 6

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 47-66

Ø Essay I Due
October 8

 Ø  Discussion of Section I ("The Last to See Them Alive") of In Cold Blood: A True Account of A Multiple Murder and Its Consequences.

Week 7

 October 13

 Ø  Discussion of Section II ("Persons Unknown") of In Cold Blood

October 15

 Ø  Discussion of Section III ("Answer") of In Cold Blood

Week 8

 October 20-- Fall Break

 October 22

 Ø  Discussion the Remainder of In Cold Blood

Week 9

October 27

 Ø  Test I on In Cold Blood and other prior reading assignments

October 29
Ø  Discussion of Pages 829-848 ("Word Choice, Word Order, and Tone")

Week 10

 November 3

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 872-897 ("Images")

November 5

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 898-921 ("Figures of Speech")

Week 11

November 10

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 820-828

November 12

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 922-948 ("Symbol, Allegory, and Irony")

Week 12

 November 17

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 949-1003 ("Sounds," "Patterns of Rhythm")
ØEssay II Due

November 19

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 1365-1402 ("Reading Drama")

Week 13

 November 24

 Ø  Test II on poetry

November 26--Thanksgiving Day

Week 14

 December 1

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 1418-1440 ("A Study of Sophocles," Oedipus the King)

December 3

Ø  Discussion of Pages 1441-1505 (Oedipus the King, Antigone)

Week 15

 December 8

 Ø  Discussion of Pages 1708-1712, 1907-1937 ("Modern Drama," Death of a Salesman)

December 10

Ø  Discussion of Pages 1938-1976 (Death of a Salesman)
 

Week 16

Final Exam