English 1102 – Composition II

Dr. Rhonda L. Kelley-Heath

212 Davis Hall; 912-260-4303;

Class Meets: 9:30-10:45 MTWR

Office Hours: 10:45-12:45 MTWR

Required Texts /
  • Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (11thedition)
  • Online texts, movies, and music

Course Description / Through various theoretical approaches to literature, we will explore common themes such as sex and gender issues, social hierarchies, and religion. Composition II’s focus is on learning to talk about and write about literature. Hopefully, you will leave this class with an increased ability to read and to think critically. I ask of you only that you come to class having read the day’s assignment and with an open mind and the intention to respect everyone’s right to be heard. Please check political correctness as well as your personal feelings about politics, homosexuality, and religion at the door. Finally, literature is supposed to be FUN; so smile and laugh at frequent intervals.
Expected Learning Outcomes / Students will demonstrate understanding of the processes underlying the development of informed opinions and values, will demonstrate the ability to communicate at a college level in both written and oral form, will demonstrate a basic knowledge of literature, the arts, and other cultures, and will demonstrate the ability to use appropriate technology to produce presentations and reports and/or to conduct research and data analysis.
Grades / Exams
Essays
Quizzes, etc.
Participation / 45% (2)
45% (3)
10%
(Minus) - 20% (see note below)
Participation and Attendance /
  • Please note that if you are here, but engaged in something other than class discussion, you obviously are not participating and will be counted absent.
  • You should also know that much of what appears on tests stems from class discussion and lectures. Everything I say is fair game for a test. Therefore, if you miss class, I advise you to get notes from someone who was there.
  • Positive participation is expected of everyone. Up to 20 points may be deducted from your final grade for any behaviors that negatively impact class participation. Such behaviors include but are not limited to: cell phone use, texting, talking out of turn or disruptively, consistent or excessive tardiness, academic dishonesty, coming to class unprepared, coming to class without a book, and sleeping in class.

Essays / All essays and first drafts are to be typed or word-processed and double-spaced. I expect each essay to be better than the one before and will grade accordingly.
I encourage rewrites. A rewrite may be handed in at any time before the last day of the semester. The new grade will replace the old grade. Previous drafts must accompany all rewrites. See the Plagiarism Policy for exceptions to this rule.
Exams /
  • Exams are not cumulative.
  • The format for exams will vary, but may include short answer, multiple choice, explications, vocabulary, and quote identifications. You should know the title, author, and dates of everything we read and the title and director of every movie we watch.

Reading Quizzes / Quizzes are always given at the beginning of class (DON’T BE LATE) and are never announced ahead of time. Quizzes cannot be “made up.”
Course Web Page / Our course web page can be found at and can also be accessed through SGC’s main web page ( by clicking on “Faculty Web Pages.”
Student E-mail / Every SGC student has a student e-mail account. I recommend using your TIGER MAIL to contact me via email. You MUST check your student e-mail account on a regular basis because I will post updates and schedule changes via e-mail and on our course web page. You can get more information about your student e-mail account and instructions for accessing the account via the SGC main web page. Go to and click on “Student E-mail” or go directly to for instructions and FAQ’s regarding your Tiger Mail accounts.
Caveats /
  • Assignments may be made up only at the discretion of the instructor.
  • The reading and exam schedule is subject to change.
  • Occasionally, the subject of sex and/or sexuality may come up during our discussions, and we may discuss portions of the Bible as literature (not absolute truth); if you cannot participate in (or at least listen to) such discussions, this is not the class for you.
  • I respect and listen to all points of view, but I will not tolerate intolerance, disrespect, or close-mindedness in my classroom. BE NICE.

Plagiarism / Please see the Plagiarism Policy posted on my website. Students guilty of plagiarism will receive a 0 for the assignment and may receive an F for the semester.
Special Needs / Students requiring classroom accommodations or modifications because of a documented disability should discuss this need with the instructor atthe beginning of the semester.Students who have not presented validation for learning disabilities from the Regents' Center for Learning Disability (University System of Georgia) should complete all necessary paperwork and submit this to Mr. Wes Brown, Vice President for Student Success, Richey Hall, Room 161. The telephone number is (912)-260-4312.Students who have not presented validation for physical disabilities should register with the Office of the Vice President for Student Success.

Reading Schedule

This schedule is subject to change. You should have all of each day’s readings read before the start of class. It is your responsibility to know what the day’s reading assignment is. Please, do not email me asking me what to read – assume that you should read what the syllabus says you should read.

Week of … / Title
May 30 / Wed. June 1 - First Day of Classes
Intro. To Course
Blake: The Chimney Sweeper, London
Blake: The Tyger, The Sick Rose
June 6 / Robert Graves: Down, Wanton, Down!
Hardy: The Ruined Maid
Browning: My Last Duchess
Yeats: Leda and the Swan
June 13 / Monday: Essay 1 due
Shelley: Ozymandias
Coleridge: Kubla Khan
Shakespeare: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day, Not marble nor the gilded monuments, My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun, Let me not to the marriage of true minds
June 20 / Millay: What lips my lips have kissed
Eliot: Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
Tennyson: Tears, Idle Tears; Break, Break, Break; Ulysses
Review for Midterm exam
June 27 / Wed. June 29– Mid-semester: (Must drop by this date to avoid academic penalties)
Mon -- Midterm Exam
Tuesday: Essay 2 Due
TBA
July 4 / July 4 -- Holiday
Movie
July 11 / LeGuin: The Ones who Walk Away from Omelas
Gilman: Yellow Wallpaper
Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart
Chopin: The Storm, The Story of an Hour
Joyce: Araby
July 18 / Mon: Essay 3 Due
Shakespeare:TBA
July 25 / Mon. July 25– Last day of Classes – Review for Final Exam
Due: All rewrites and revisions (Mon)
June 26-28– Final Exams