ENG 4273 American Fiction Since WWII Fall 2015 Block 2 CRN 18140 ONLINE via D2L Instructor: Timothy Petete Department: English Office Location: Liberal Arts Building 101D Office Telephone: (405) 974-5849 Email: tpetete@uco.edu Course Description This course offers a critical study of the important movements and writers of contemporary fiction in the United States. Course Concentration The Fall 2015 course offering will focus on short stories. If a student intends to pursue a course substitution, she/he should meet with the appropriate program director prior to the beginning of the term and obtain her/his permission. Prerequisites ENG 1113 & ENG 1213 Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, students will be able to Identify literary and cultural realities that distinguish the period of study. Explain ways in which writers describe, applaud, or critique said realities. Synthesize skills of research, scholarship, and creative activity. Textbook Requirement American Fiction Since WWII Available only at Kopy Kat (401 N. University Drive)
Orientation to Online Learning All students should complete the Orientation during the first week of the term. To complete the module, visit: http://www.uco.edu/cece/orientation_d2l2. Technology Requirements Reliable High-Speed Internet Access Compatible Web Browser Microsoft Word (2007 or 2010) Adobe Reader X and Adobe Flash Player Updated Java software 1 GB USB 2.0 flash drive (or a separate storage drive) Webcam Microphone (Console or Wireless) Speakers (or Earphones) Additional software programs (see Multimedia Analysis assignment) D2L All pertinent announcements and course materials will be posted to D2L. Therefore, students should visit the course site on a regular basis. To login, visit http://learn.uco.edu. Correspondence Email correspondence enhances your collaboration with instructors and classmates. If you need to contact the instructor via email, please use your UCO email account. Online Communication The instructor will be online on a regular basis. If you wish to communicate while I am online, please contact me via the Pager feature. Overview and Tutorial Videos In order to help facilitate completion of the course activities, the instructor has embedded overview videos and tutorial videos within each unit. The overview videos will share information about the current unit. The tutorial videos will share information about each portion of the Multimedia Analysis assignment. Please access each overview and tutorial as they become available. Doing so will help you understand the expected outcomes of each unit.
Transformational Learning Outcomes This course addresses three of the university s transformative learning goals. Discipline Knowledge-Students will, in topic development activities, identify and describe historical backgrounds/literary contexts that have shaped American society. Problem Solving-Students will identify a unifying topic that links unit reading assignments and then integrate said analyses into a multimedia analysis project. Global and Cultural Competencies-Students will, within the multimedia analysis project, identify and describe a variety of realities that are depicted within literary works. Course Grades Total Possible Points: 200 200-180 A Excellent 179-160 B Good 159-140 C Average 139-120 D Below Average 119-0 F Failure Assignments Discussion (130 points) Students will complete six online discussion activities. Each activity will be based on authors, works, and topics covered in the current unit. The first five activities will be worth twenty points each, whereas the sixth discussion activity will be worth thirty points. Submissions should demonstrate original and sound scholarship, should exhibit current MLA guidelines (citation, quotation management, etc.), and should indicate attention to detail (grammar, mechanics, etc.). In each instance, students should develop a distinct and thorough submission: focused thesis (clear and concise), several supporting examples (obtained from pertinent readings), and sound interpretation (analysis as opposed to synopsis). If a student does not complete a discussion activity prior to the corresponding deadline then she/he will receive a zero. The late submission policy is non-negotiable. Multimedia Analysis (70 points) The primary assignment objectives consist of identifying, illustrating, and analyzing a unifying topic (issue, idea, or theme) conveyed in each unit and then integrating said work into a multimedia submission. Submissions should demonstrate original scholarship, imaginative thinking, and sound comprehension. If a student does not submit their work prior to the deadline then she/he will receive a zero. The late submission policy is non-negotiable.
Instructor Feedback Email/Pager/Q&A (Monday-Thursday): allow at least 24 hours after communication is sent. Email/Pager/Q&A (Friday-Sunday): allow until 12:00 pm the following Monday. Email/Pager/Q&A (federal holiday): allow until 12:00 pm the following day. Discussion/Multimedia Analysis: allow at least 72 hours after the submission deadline. All assignment grades are final. The instructor will not evaluate late, alternate, or revised efforts. Learning Environment Behavior Presence This course features three unit modules and corresponding coursework deadlines for each module. Self-discipline and maturity are necessary for success in online college courses. Regular and timely engagement is one reflection of the discipline and maturity of potentially successful students. Engagement is also necessary for students to gain the full benefit of information presented in this course. Punctuality Students should complete and submit all assignments prior to the designated deadline. All submission deadlines are based on the Central Time Zone. The instructor will not accept late or email submissions. The late submission policy is non-negotiable. Collegiality Please communicate in a manner that demonstrates professionalism, tolerance, and respect. Doing so will allow us to retain a constructive learning environment. All communication will be conveyed in Standard American English. Avoid the use of all caps or all small case letters. Similarly, avoid the use of abbreviations and/or acronyms. Academic Dishonesty Academic dishonesty is neither condoned nor tolerated at the University of Central Oklahoma. Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism; cheating; unauthorized collaboration; turning in counterfeit work; stealing academic material; falsifying academic documents; and turning in the same work to more than one class. Any student found guilty of academic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary action. For more information, visit http://www.uco.edu/ssvp/conduct/#. All submissions will be processed for the detection of plagiarism. If a student commits plagiarism or another act of academic dishonesty, she/he will receive a failing grade.
Expectation of Work Full-time college students are expected to spend approximately 40 hours each week in class attendance and study outside of class. According to Regents policy, for each hour in class a student is expected to spend two (2) to three (3) hours studying for the class (OSRHE II-2-34). Additionally, short-term Block courses require a significant amount of coursework within a limited timeframe (in this case, Thursday, October 8, 2015 Thursday, December 3, 2015). Students are expected to complete coursework each week. If you believe other responsibilities (ex: career), activities (ex: vacation), or circumstances (Internet access) will prevent you from completing course activities prior to the corresponding deadline, you should withdraw from the course. Academic Support Tutoring Central provides free and confidential academic support for University of Central Oklahoma students. Tutoring Central is located in the NE Corner of West Hall. To schedule an appointment, call (405) 974-2487. Additional Policies and Procedures Please consult the Student Information Sheet and Syllabus Attachment for information about additional policies and procedures applicable to this class. To obtain a copy of the document, visit http://www.uco.edu/academicaffairs/forms.htm. Accommodations The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations must contact Disability Support Services, Room 309 of the Nigh University Center, (405) 974-2549. It is the student s responsibility to contact the instructor as soon as possible after the DSS has verified the need for accommodations to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Release Statement The course syllabus is subject to change. If the syllabus is amended, the instructor will provide written notification as soon as possible.
ENG 4273 American Fiction Since WWII Fall 2015 Block 2 Graded Activity Schedule Orientation *Discussion 1 Due Thursday, October 15, 2015 prior to 5:00 pm Unit One **Discussion 2 Due Thursday, October 22, 2015 prior to 5:00 pm *Discussion 3 Due Thursday, October 29, 2015 prior to 5:00 pm Unit Two **Discussion 4 Due Thursday, November 5, 2015 prior to 5:00 pm *Discussion 5 Due Thursday, November 12, 2015 prior to 5:00 pm Unit Three ***Dropbox Due Thursday, November 19, 2015 prior to 5:00 pm *Discussion 6 Due Thursday, December 3, 2015 prior to 5:00 pm *All students should reply to at least two classmates. **Undergraduates should use examples from at least three stories from the current unit. ***Undergraduates should incorporate at least three stories from each of the three units.