Intro to Literature

LIT2100

 Tue 5:30 — 8:15

BLDG 74/103
Text Box: Prof. David M. Earle dearle@uwf.edu Bldg 50/147 Office Hours: M-W: 2:30-3:30 T: 4-5 and by appt Text Box: Course Description and Goals: The goals of this class are tri-fold: a) to introduce you to various genres and styles of poetry, fiction, and drama; b) to teach you how to read and analyze them effectively; and c) to use these skills to write critically and analytically. Our reading shall include different forms (fiction, drama, poetry) from a wide range of cultures in order to broaden your ideas of what constitutes “literature” and “text.” In other words, this class is concerned with not only teaching you about literature, but in cultivating the type of abstract thinking and critical writing that shall be expected of you in college (and beyond). Texts: The Norton Introduction to Literature, the Portable 10th ed., by Booth and Mays. Assignments, Policy, and Grading: Participation and Attendance Policy: Your participation grade includes Attendance, In-Class Participation, and Preparedness. Attendance is imperative, especially since many of the assignments shall be given out / evolve from the previous class. Much of the material that you will be responsible for shall grow out of class discussion as well as the lectures. Attendance will be taken every day. Four absences will lower your grade one full letter, and a notch for each absence after that. This includes both unexcused and school related absence (athletic, rotc, etc…). If you know that you are going to miss class before hand, it is best to let me know, but I don’t need to hear excuses (i.e. please don’t fill my inbox with messages about your Great Aunt Clutter-Bustle’s dyspeptic duodenum). Excessive or repetitive tardiness is not acceptable. Eight or more absences are an automatic “F.” In-Class Participation and Preparedness: you are expected to have done all the reading for the day and to be prepared to discuss it. Lively discussion is integral to the class dynamic; this is not a lecture oriented class, but one that discusses and works through the ways of reading and writing as a whole. One way to check that you have been doing the work is through Daily Discussion Prompts, which shall consist of a thematic questions on the day’s reading. I shall collect these every day, and keep them as a “Portfolio” of a) your level of contention with the material, i.e. that you are reading and thinking about the material at the necessary level; b) that you are keeping up with the reading; and c) as a gauge of “growth” over the course of the semester. Grading Policy: Your Grade will consist of numerous short papers, a midterm, a final essay, participation, and a compendium of daily discussion prompts (see above): Short Papers: 4x10% = 40% Final Paper: 20% Discussion Prompts and Daily Assignments: 20% Participation: 10% Mid-Term: 10% Letter grades will be assigned as follows: 93% or better A 90% to 92% A – 87% to 89% B + 83% to 86% B 80% to 82% B - 77% to 79% C + 73% to 76% C 70% to 72% C – 60% to 69% D 50% or less F Classroom Behavior: Besides the obvious elements of tardiness, preparation, and participation, there are some other integral aspects of a respectful classroom, such as no texting or phone calls, please. No laptops unless that day’s assignment necessitates. Please use common sense and be appreciative / respectful of classroom diversity, opinions, differences, etc. You may be asked to leave the class if you act either disruptive or disrespectful. UNIVERSITY POLICY ON ACADEMIC CONDUCT Honesty in our academic work is vital, and we will not knowingly act in ways which erode that integrity. Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor to tolerate cheating, nor to plagiarize the work of others. (UWF Student Life Handbook ). Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will be taken seriously. Please refer to the UWF Student Life Handbook for a list of behaviors that fall under the definition of academic misconduct. The handbook also outlines the penalties for academic misconduct and the due process procedures that must be followed. (Links to the Student Life Handbook and the UWF Academic Conduct Statement are posted on the UWF web site at: http://www.uwf.edu/cas/resources_other.cfm.) Plagiarism is a serious violation of academic standards and will be punished severely. My immediate sanction for plagiarism is immediate failure and referral to the Dean for academic dishonesty. Unfortunately, this has happened before for this very course and I have no qualms about implementing it. If you are unsure about citation methods, ask for guidance. See the UWF Student Life Handbook for the University policy on academic conduct and plagiarism and the consequences for students who engage in academic misconduct. (A link to the UWF Plagiarism Policy is posted on the UWF web site at: http://www.uwf.edu/cas/resources_other.cfm.) ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Students with special needs who require specific accommodations for examinations or other course activities should contact the Student Disability Resource Center (SCRC) (web address: http://www.uwf.edu/SDRC, telephone: 474-2387). SDRC will provide the student with a letter for the instructor that will specify recommended accommodations for individual students.