English 2202 introduces you to the major forms of literature: short stories, poetry, drama, and the novel. Our focus this semester will be to study the ways in which reading can reveal not only much about the author and his/her times but also much about ourselves. Think of reading as both a window and a mirror. How that’s accomplished will vary greatly from story to story and from poem to poem.

We will read from all traditions and from various centuries, not so much to attempt to cover as much literary territory as possible, but to discover how place and time, as well as perhaps race and gender, can produce such different stories about similar themes.

We will also focus on the forms themselves, discovering why one form seems appropriate on one occasion while another form more appropriate on another. We will want to learn how to analyze and understand what we read so that we might apply those skills in everything we read.

At the completion of this course, you should be able to:

• identify and discuss the basic structural elements and various forms of literature

• identify and explore diverse methods for analyzing and discussing literature

• create written analyses of a sampling of works

• use literary terms and concepts to explain your understanding of what you read

• use group discussion to refine and enhance your own responses to the readings

Texts: Shrink-wrapped package containing:
               
                Norton Introduction to Literature, Portable 12th Edition, 2017.
                Willa Cather, My Antonia, Norton Critical Edition, 2015.
                William Shakespeare, King Lear, Norton Critical Edition, 2007.

Course Ground Rules:

1. Attendance is critical. If you have any questions about assignments or responsibilities, email or come see me before the next class. Know that you have a pool of 50 points in D2L for attendance. Each absence (excused or unexcused) subtracts 5 points from that pool. If you completed deplete the pool (10 absences), you fail the course.
2. If we take an exam in a class session you have missed, you must make up the test within one week of the test date.  It is your responsibility to visit the Testing Center before one week passes. After one week, a grade of zero is given. There is no make-up time for the final exam: please be sure to attend that class session. Note: make-up exams are by design more difficult than the regularly scheduled exam.
3. Have all reading and writing assignments completed by the beginning of class.
4. Plagiarized work is unacceptable. Please understand what this means and do not attempt to pass off the work of someone else as your own. If there is any question, I will ask you to produce proof that the writing is original.
5. Expect to spend 4 to 6 hours per week of reading and writing outside of class time.
6. Active participation in group and class discussions is essential. If you are naturally shy, explore ways in which you might contribute: participate in smaller groups, offer opinions when I’m asking open-ended questions. If you are naturally talkative, share your thoughts with  the class but be sensitive to those who may not be as willing to share: do not dismiss another’s opinion as wrong, and encourage or affirm what someone else has said if you agree.  Above all, practice mannerly conversation.
   
   
7. Please avoid disruptions, such as tardiness or active phones. This is not only distracting, but rude. Let's not have these interfere with our work together.
   

Description of Class Assignments:

The following class schedule should be considered a guideline for what we hope to cover In English 2202. Depending on the depth and length of class discussions, and the content and nature of the reading assignments, our dates may vary. Please do keep up and be aware of what we intend to cover each class period.