This is a general literature course intended to develop your skills as both a reader of and writer about literature. You should think of this as a lecture/discussion class. This means that this course is a two-way street: I consider myself responsible for organizing the course and keeping it moving along; however, you will all be expected to come to class prepared to amaze me and your fellow classmates with your provocative and insightful questions and comments about the reading material.

• identify and explore various methods for analyzing and discussing the novel

• create written analyses of a sampling of works

• expand your understanding of literature by learning about an author’s life, place, and time

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

Description of Class Assignments:

You will have three types of assignments this semester: reading, individual and group participation, and analytical papers. Announced and unannounced quizzes may also be given on occasion, and you will have both a mid-term exam and a final exam.

 

Reading

Reading assignments occur every week. While reading the material, feel free to mark up the books or hand-outs to help you absorb what you are reading. You may find it helpful to read quickly through a piece one time and then come back and read it again, more slowly, to see how the author develops a story.

Participation

Classes will consist mostly of guided discussion, so your participation is critical and will be noted. To share your responses to the readings, you will work in small groups on occasion to exchange ideas, generate questions, and perhaps lead discussions on an author or work (10% of your total grade, including attendance).

Papers

There are two papers for this course: one short and one long. The short paper will be a 2- to 3-page paper providing some cultural, biographical, or historical background on any author selected from among the authors we will read this semester. Some research will be required, thus requiring a works cited page (10% of your grade). This shorter paper is due the class after the subject of your paper has been discussed.

The longer paper will be an analysis paper on a topic of your choosing. You may want to consult the topic suggestions list I have built from previous classes to get some ideas. While this is primarily a literary critique paper (that is, I'm asking you to develop an idea you have discovered about the novels we have read), nevertheless, I would like you to augment your critique with outside resources. This assignment should be 4 to 6 pages long (20% of your grade).

Both papers should be typed, double-spaced, and include a title page (with the paper title, your name, course title, instructor’s name, and date) and page numbers. Please note that five points per day will be deducted for late papers.

Exams and Quizzes

The mid-term exam (20% of your total grade) and the final exam (25% of your total grade) will include short answer, identification, and essay sections. Quizzes (15% of total grade) will comprise the remainder of your grade. If quizzes end up being few in number, then class participation will weigh more heavily in your final grade.

Schedule of Classes and Assignments:
The following class schedule should be considered a guideline for what we hope to cover In English 2203. 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.