Anoka Ramsey Community College -- Coon Rapids Campus
English 203: The Novel
Fall Quarter 1996 / Section 1

Professor: Scott Stankey
Office: Humanities 131
Phone: (763) 433-1396 (voice mail)
Fax: (763) 433-1521
Email: scott.stankey@anokaramsey.edu
Website: http://webs.anokaramsey.edu/stankey/Eng2203
Office Hours: T.B.A.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Novels from around the world will be studied in depth. Emphasis is on literary terms, interpretation, and evaluation. This course may be organized around a theme.

My goals for this section of English 203 are to introduce you to a wide variety of novels, to increase your understanding and appreciation of literature, and to strengthen your analytical reading and thinking abilities. Therefore, we will carefully read and study both "classic" and contemporary novels ranging from 1818 through 1987, we will learn and apply a critical vocabulary that reveals the parts and wholeness of these novels, and we will consider biographical, historical, and thematic approaches to these novels.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

REQUIRED NOVELS:

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Quizzes and Other Writing (33%):

There will be an unannounced in-class quiz each week. Obviously, I will not give quizzes early, and missed quizzes cannot be made up under any circumstances since the answers are discussed immediately after the quizzes are collected. Any other informal writing assignments will also be included in this portion of your grade.

Midterm Examination (33%):

There will be a two-part midterm exam. Part One will contain identification and short answer questions, while Part Two will ask you to write one essay. (You are expected to have experience writing academic essays.) If you are absent on the days of the exam, you will not be allowed to make up the exam unless you arranged the absence with me in advance.

Final Examination (33%):

There will also be a two-part final; it will probably be very similar in format to the midterm examination. If you are absent on the day of the exam, you will not be allowed to make up the exam unless you have arranged the absence with me in advance.

F. Scott Fitzgerald Literature Day:

Instead of class on Friday, ___, I encourage each of you to attend one or more of the events scheduled for the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literature Day in St. Paul. (I will give out more information in class.) You will not be penalized for not attending, but if you do attend and submit the materials / notes you collected along with a 100-word reaction to each of the sessions you attended, I will drop your lowest quiz scores -- TWO MAXIMUM.

COURSE POLICIES:

Participation:

Because I believe that you learn more if you actively participate in your education, small- and large-group discussions will be an important part of this class (in addition to some traditional lectures). Because of this, I expect each of you to come to each class prepared and willing to discuss the material. Bring your questions, bring your opinions, bring your books, bring your enthusiasm, bring your respect for other people's ideas. The quality and quantity of your participation will be considered when determining borderline grades.

Attendance:

Since participation is an important part of this course, attendance at all class meetings is required. If you miss more than 5 hours of class, you will receive an "F" for the course, regardless of the grades on your other work. Please notify me in advance if you must miss class.

Incompletes:

Incompletes will be granted only in the even of a documented serious illness or medical emergency which causes you to miss more than 3 classes. You will be granted an incomplete only if you demonstrate the ability and willingness to complete the course requirements before the midterm week of Winter Quarter.

Conferences:

If you have questions or problems at any time during this class, please drop by during my office hours or schedule an appointment.

Reading Journal:

I strongly encourage you to keep a reading journal for this class.  In the journal, you can keep track of the novels by listing characters, summarizing plots, defining new words, and recording observations and thoughts. I will never collect this journal, but it can help you by providing (1) material for class discussions, (2) ideas for any informal writing, (3) reminders for examinations, and (4) a record of your development as a reader of novels.

Plagiarism: Knowingly presenting another person's ideas or writing as your own without appropriate citation will result in an "F" for the course.

SCHEDULE:

M 9/16 -- Syllabus, Notecards, Reading Survey, Introduction

W 9/18 -- Gatsby: Ch. I - III (pages 5-64) **

F 9/20 -- Gatsby: Ch. IV - VI (65-118)

M 9/23 -- Gatsby: Ch. VII - IX (119-189)

W 9/25 -- Gatsby: Preface (vii-xvi) and Afterword (191-217)

F 9/27 -- No Class -- F. Scott Fitzgerald Literature Day in St. Paul

M 9/30 -- Antonia: Introduction (1-5) and Book I, Ch. I - VIII (9-53)

W 10/2 -- Antonia: Book I, Ch. IX - XIX (54-113)

F 10/4 -- Antonia: Book II, Ch. I - X (117-166)

M 10/7 -- Antonia: Books II, Ch. XI - XV (166-200) and III (203-230)

W 10/9 -- Antonia: Books IV (233-252) and V (255-289)

F 10/11 -- Antonia: Introduction (vii-xxv)

M 10/14 -- Abbey: Ch. 1-11 (9-75)

W 10/16 -- Abbey: Ch. 12-21 (76-142)

F 10/18 -- No Class -- M.E.A. Break

M 10/21 -- Abbey: Ch. 22-31 (143-211)

W 10/23 -- Abbey: Ch. Afterword (213-221

F 10/25 -- Midterm Exam, Part I

M 10/28 -- Midterm Exam, Part II

W 10/30 -- Spirits: Ch. 1-2 (1-72)

F 11/1 -- Spirits: Ch. 3-4 (73-141)

M 11/4 -- Spirits: Ch. 5-6 (142-208)

W 11/6 -- Spirits: Ch. 7-9 (209-291)

F 11/8 -- No Class -- Instructor at a Conference

M 11/11 -- No Class -- Veterans' Day

W 11/13 -- Spirits: Ch. 10-12 (292-365)

F 11/15 -- Spirits: Ch. 13-14 and Epilogue (366-433)

M 11/18 -- Spirits: Concluding Discussion

W 11/20 -- Opening: Ch. 1-8 (1-72)

F 11/22 -- Opening: Ch. 9-13 (73-132)

M 11/25 -- Opening: Ch. 14-18 (133-199)

W 11/27 -- Opening: Ch. 19-24 (200-260)

F 11/29 -- No Class -- Thanksgiving Break

M 12/2 -- Opening: Ch. 25-30 (261-326)

W 12/4 -- Opening: Concluding Discussion

F 12/6 -- Final Exam, Part I

M 12/9 -- No Class -- Faculty Development Day

T 12/10 -- Final Exam, Part II: 9:40-11:10 a.m.

** Page numbers refer to the recommended editions of the novels.

Please note that the course syllabus and schedule are subject to change. Changes will be announced in class. If absent, check with a classmate for notes and schedule changes. Keep this syllabus! It is your guide for the course.