ENGLISH 275: INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY STUDIES

N.B.  COURSE DESCRIPTION for Fall 2008 will be posted by mid-August 2008.

Welcome to Introduction to Literary Studies! This course is designed to offer instruction and experience in learning and practicing techniques of critical reading and analytical writing. This course is designed to be taken after English 101 has been completed and before 300- and 400-level literature courses have been taken. Because a basic grasp of English is a prerequisite for English 275, sentence structure, usage, and punctuation will not be taught in this course. As in other English courses, all written work in this course will be evaluated in the areas of content, organization, style, and mechanics. This course will emphasize strategies for the critical analysis of literature within relevant historical and cultural contexts. Each participant will be evaluated on attendance, participation, timely completion of all reading assignments and written work, contributions to class presentations, and successful completion of final examination.  Regular online attendance and participation are vital to one’s success in the course.

REQUIRED COURSE TEXT:

A.  COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Read, comprehend, and interpret a variety of literary works.  2. Appreciate each work of literature in its historical and cultural contexts and alongside other literary works.  3. Discuss, analyze, and evaluate individual works of literature with other course participants and the instructor.  4. Polish critical analysis, writing, and documentation skills, as reflected in successful completion of writing assignments, research assignments, and final examination.  5. Develop expertise in working in the academic computer center, doing research on the world wide web, writing critical analysis essays, and documenting written and electronic sources.

B.  COURSE EXPECTATIONS:

Each participant is expected to have college-level critical reading and writing skills, attend weekly chats, and contact me, either by e-mail or by phone, if he or she needs to be absent during a particular chat session. Each person may be absent from one chat session without penalty; however, chronic absences will result in a failing grade. Participants are expected to listen reflectively and respectfully to one another’s and the instructor’s comments during class sessions and to contribute to class discussions. Participants are responsible for their own active learning in this course; that means completing all written assignments and examinations on time and in accordance with MLA guidelines. In return, each participant can expect that I will be prepared for class and will share information based on my study of literature over the past thirty-five years. Course participants can also expect that I will prepare and provide information about written assignments, assessments, and examinations in a timely and efficient fashion and that I will evaluate all written work fairly and stringently. Finally, participants can expect that I will be available, via e-mail or during individually scheduled conferences, to discuss aspects of course requirements throughout the term.

C.  ENGLISH 275 WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Story/Film Analysis  2. Explication/Close Reading of Poem  3. Documented Essay   4. Mid-term and end-of-term self-assessments    5.  Final examination.

Details of each writing assignment will be explained in class. All essays are to be typed or word-processed according to MLA Style. All writing assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates specified by instructor.  You will have a revision option on Essays 1 and 2. Self-assessments and course evaluations will be completed on dates specified by instructor. 

D. COMPONENTS OF COURSE GRADE:

20%  Attendance and participation at weekly chat sessions.
20%  Online participation at least three times per week: at least three contributions to discussion forums per week, with one of the three contributions comprised of 200-250 words.
20%  Completion of short papers (#1 and #2), self-assessments, course evaluations, and other short writing assignments.
20%  Completion of final examination and electronic submission via e-mail by 5 p.m. (CST) on ----
20%  Completion of long documented (researched) essay, due no later than noon (CST) on ----
 

E.  ENGLISH 275 FINAL TAKE-HOME EXAMINATION:

F.  INSTRUCTOR’S POLICY ON ABSENCES AND MAKE-UP WORK:

I expect you to be fully present during each class meeting; at the same time, I recognize that emergencies do arise. Please contact me ahead of time if you need to miss a class meeting. Note that I don’t do make-up lectures, nor do I give out my lecture notes.  Only under extenuating circumstances will late make-up work be accepted. I expect each course participant to miss no more than one week's class meeting (unless divine providence intervenes in the form of a blizzard or some other phenomenon). Work-in-progress time will be scheduled into the course. If you have any questions throughout the semester, please contact me at suzanne.bunkers@mnsu.edu    or leave a phone message for me at the English Department office: 507-389-2117. 

Every attempt will be made to accommodate qualified students with disabilities. if you are a student with a documented disability, please see me as early in the semester as possible to discuss the necessary accommodations, and/or contact the Disability Services Office at (507) 389-2825 or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY).