Introduction to British Literature, Course Syllabus, Winter 2015 ENG-242W-WN111, INET Delivered

Transcription

1 1 Introduction to British Literature, Course Syllabus, Winter 2015 ENG-242W-WN111, INET Delivered Instructor: Trish O Connor Office: Main campus, S005 Office phone: (989) FAX: (989) Office Hours: MW 10:00 am 12:00 pm TR 2:00-3:00 pm And by appointment Welcome! Welcome to British Literature. The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the major British authors, to help you discover a rich cultural and literary heritage, and to develop a genuine appreciation for some of the most time-tested works of art in the English language. Course Description and Prerequisite Prerequisite: READING LEVEL 3 and any approved College Composition I course with a minimum grade of C. Provides a sampling of the work of some of the major authors in British Literature. Requires works to be read and examined for an understanding of the material, an appreciation of the literary forms and for the awareness of understanding of the material, and appreciation of the literary forms and for the awareness of unifying themes that hold together a culture's conceptual framework. Enhances reading skills and aesthetic appreciation through exposure, discussion, writing and critical thinking. Credit may be earned in ENG 242W or LIT 242W but not both. See specific Outcomes and Objectives for this course (pp. 5-6). Please read the following section carefully! Required Texts I do not require you to buy any texts. You will be able to read all texts online. However, some of you might not prefer to read everything via a computer screen. You might want a print or ereader copy if it is available. These are the texts I work from: 1. The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors (9 th ed; 2 volume set, paperback). I abbreviate this text as NAEL in all Course Documents. Available at bookstore, from Amazon and elsewhere. I will always supply page #s of readings from the book from those of you wishing to purchase it. With purchase comes a code for a free supplemental ebook. ISBN # No Fear Shakespeare: Othello (play included in NAEL) ISBN #

2 2 Again, how you read the literature is your choice. Of course, we are all interested in keeping costs low, but you want to choose the way you will best be able to appreciate the literature. Another Point about Prerequisites Strictly speaking, the only prerequisite for this course is a C or above ENG 111 (or an equivalent College Composition course). However, I strongly recommend that you have had extensive experience in both reading and writing. Much of the course material is challenging and requires a definite willingness to read and to tackle sometimes daunting material. Additionally, some experience with literary techniques is helpful, although I will coach the class on these. I do require college-level writing skills in your discussion posts and on your tests. Be prepared to support points well, to synthesize source material, and to showcase a college vocabulary. Please carefully consider how well prepared you are. Assignments and Grading This class is organized in a series of 7 modules and weekly class discussions to help you understand the major eras and trends in British Literature. Type of Assessment Points Possible Discussion Posts (with at least points (20 points each ) follow-up replies to classmates) 2. Plagiarism Tutorial (Quiz credit) 10 points 3. 7 Module Quizzes (multiple choice) 70 points (10 points each) 4. Test 1 (covers Modules 1 & 2) 75 points 5. Test 2 (covers Modules 3-5) 75 points 6. Test 3 (covers Modules 6 & 7) 70 points 600 Total Points Possible Check your grade at any time using the elearning site. Please don t hesitate to ask if you have any questions. Grading Scale Your final semester grade will be calculated using this scale: (100-93%) A (92-90%) A (89-87%) B (86-83%) B (82-80%) B (79-77%) C (76-73%) C (72-70%) C (69-67%) D (66-63%) D (62-60%) D (59% ) F

3 3 Taking This Course Online What I Expect from You Read and understand syllabus/course expectations Log in and engage in class at least 3 times a week Be present and engaged in class; don t just give the minimum Meet deadlines Focus on your own original ideas Credit any sources you do choose to use Keep open communication with me; me promptly with questions Follow policies of Netiquette, civility, honesty, and respect Understand this is not a self-paced course; you are responsible to learning with the Brit Lit student community Complete class evaluation when the course has concluded What You Can Expect from Me Clarify course expectations in writing; answer any questions you have Log in and engage in class at least 5 times a week Be present and engaged in class; don t just give the minimum Inform you of impending deadlines Honor college policy on Integrity of Academic Work (See Delta College Catalog, , pp ) Return messages within 24 hrs. weekdays; within 48 hrs. weekends Follow policies of Netiquette, civility, honesty, and respect Understand that I will do my best to meet both collective and individual learning needs Give prompt feedback and grade updates Discussion Posts I always say, no matter what class I m teaching, students learn more from each other than from me. I simply provide you the opportunity to do that. Please review carefully the Rubric for Discussion Posts (found in Content under Important Class Information). Initial posts are due on Fridays; all replies to other students are due on Sundays. Our weeks end on Sundays and begin on Mondays. You may always work ahead. Module Quizzes The course is arranged in modules corresponding to British literary eras. Upon completing each module, you will take a 10 point multiple choice quiz to measure your understanding of that particular era. Tests I will give you 3 tests consisting of 3-5 questions. These will require essay responses. They are not fact or plot tests but rather examinations which ask you to conceptualize, to illustrate an understanding of specific literary trends or forms, and/or to explain your interpretation of a certain literary work. Important Course Policies Inform me immediately of any technical problems you are having. You should try to have a back-up computer and a back-up save for your files.

4 4 Penalty for plagiarizing other sources (including former or current student work) is 0 on the entire assignment and reporting of your case. Except for the Plagiarism Tutorial at the start of the semester, all work for the course MUST be submitted via elearning (Discussions and Dropbox). I will not accept work ed to me. No late work is accepted. You can always see upcoming deadlines within elearning itself and also via a semester-long calendar I have created for you in elearning. See Content, Important Course Information, Winter 2015 Brit Lit Calendar. I suggest you print the calendar and out it above your study space. Nothing will ever hit you by surprise. After having taught this course online several times, I have learned that some students like to work ahead. Therefore, you will always see 2 weeks of class open at a time. I reserve the right to make course amendments/revisions if I deem them necessary. Course Number ENG 242W Credits 3 Lab Hours 0 Lecture Hours Course Description 45 Prerequisite: READING LEVEL 3 and any approved College Composition I course with a minimum grade of C. Provides a sampling of the work of some of the major authors in British Literature. Requires works to be read and examined for an understanding of the material, an appreciation of the literary forms and for the awareness of understanding of the material, and appreciation of the literary forms and for the awareness of unifying themes that hold together a culture's conceptual framework. Enhances reading skills and aesthetic appreciation through exposure, discussion, writing and critical thinking. Credit may be earned in ENG 242W or LIT 242W but not both. (45-0)

5 5 Outcomes and Objectives Identify and list significant qualities and personages in British Literature. A. Identify and explain the essential elements upon which the survey course is based. Think critically, that is to analyze, to synthesize and to explain an understanding of a given work. A. Illustrate on some of the reading through graphing and sketching a translation. B. Work collaboratively to discuss and analyze questions based on reading assignments. Compose an examination of the course material by collecting, selecting and presenting primary and secondary information in a written evaluation of a given work. A. Establish a clear statement of thesis in answering essay questions on tests or in writing expository/analytical compositions of personally selected subjects. B. Predicate an explanation of issues on specific details drawn from quotes derived from primary and secondary information. Identify and list significant ideas in British Literature. A. Explain the evolving nature of the literary hero from epic, to romantic, to dramatic, to modern. B. Describe the evolving sense of community from early to late British Literature. C. Trace the changes in the perception of nature from Beowulf to literature of the twentieth century. Compare and contrast significant cultural/temporal variations in British Literature. A. Contrast the views of art from Shakespeare to Keats to Joyce. B. Locate specific points of contrast in parallel works as in Milton, Blake and Keats. Continued

6 6 Enjoy both the subject matter and the insights from some of the finest writers in British Literature A. Write a story board of how a particular section of a story could be directed for a movie scene. B. Memorize and recite a sonnet by Shakespeare as a way of more fully understanding and appreciating the form. Participate in "writing to learn" activities. A. Perform writing tasks to promote learning. B. Write effectively for a specific audience and purpose. Demonstrate the learning of concepts through writing.