ENG 106: Introduction to Poetry
Sections 3 & 4
Fall 2014
106-03: TR 9:30 AM -10:45 AM, CURY 334
106-04: TR 11:00 AM -12:15 PM, CURY 204
ENG 106
Fall 2014
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Instructor: Rebecca Dashiell
Email:
Office: Curry 335-B
Office Hours: Mondays, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, and by appointment
Mailbox: MHRA 3114
ENG 106
Fall 2014
Page 3
Course Description
American poet Wallace Stevens described poetry as “a revelation in words by means of the words.” In this course, we will study the words themselves, and how they work together to inform our understanding of a poem. Our goal is to demystify the process of reading and interpreting poems through developing close reading and analytical skills that allow us to appreciate the subtleties and complexities of language. Through active discussion and reciting poems aloud, we will practice uncovering meaning as we read a sampling of mostly British and American poets that explore a variety of forms, figurative language, and sounds.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the GLT marker:
1. Demonstrate the reading skill required for the student of literary texts. (LG3)
2. Identify and/or describe some of the varied characteristics of literary texts. (LG3)
3. Demonstrate orally, in writing, or by some other means, a fundamental ability to use some of the techniques and/or methods of literary analysis. (LG 1 and LG 3)
4. Identify and/or describe some of the various social, historical, cultural, and/or theoretical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted. (LG3)
Those SLOs labeled (LG3) relate to UNCG’s Learning Goal #3 for General Education, which says students will “Describe, interpret, and evaluate the ideas, events, and expressive traditions that have shaped collective and individual human experience through inquiry and analysis in the diverse disciplines of the humanities, religions, languages, histories, and the arts.”
Those SLOs labeled (LG1) relate to UNCG’s Learning Goal #1 for General Education, which says students will “Think critically, communicate effectively, and develop appropriate fundamental skills in quantitative and information literacies.” (http://web.uncg.edu/reg/Bulletin/Current/UnivReq/GECProgram.aspx)
Texts (Required)
· Browning, Abigail, and Melissa Ridley Elmes. Lenses: Perspectives on Literature. 2nd Edition. Plymouth, MI: Hayden-McNeil Publishing, 2015. Print. ISBN: 9780738070070.
· Kennedy, X.J., and Dana Gioia. An Introduction to Poetry. 13th Edition. Boston: Longman, 2010. Print. ISBN: 9780205686124.
· Blackboard Readings: Download, print, and read items marked (Bb) in the Course Schedule.
Materials and Online/Technology Requirements
· Note-taking materials (loose-leaf or spiral-bound notebook, writing instrument, etc.). NOTE: I will periodically ask you to write in class on a particular question and then share your responses.
· You must have access to a dictionary (either online or a print version).
· Online access (via library or computer lab if a personal desktop or laptop is unavailable), iSpartan email account (checked daily), and Blackboard account (checked daily). All assignments, schedules, and course information will be posted to Blackboard. Check there first if you miss class, lose a handout, or have questions about an assignment. Contact me if the information you need is not on Blackboard and I will post it as quickly as possible.
· Printing Access. Please make sure to budget enough money to print all necessary documents to complete assignments and be prepared for class.
Course Requirements
Class Participation [SLOs 1, 3]
Class participation is defined as not only being present in class, but also being alert, actively participating in discussion and in-class activities, and being prepared with all the day’s course materials (bringing books/readings/assigned work). Please see the criteria for classroom participation listed below.
Criteria for Classroom Participation
A / Superior communicative skills; excellent preparation for class/class discussion; always volunteers; listens and responds thoughtfully and courteously to others’ comments; student exemplifies mastery, rigor, and intellectual curiosity regarding course readings and concepts while also introducing relevant independent insights to the discussion; student demonstrates enthusiasm and takes initiative, particularly during group activities.B / Good communicative skills; solid preparation for class/class discussion; consistently volunteers and makes meaningful contributions in group activities; student exemplifies interest and engagement regarding course readings and concepts; attentive during class; student demonstrates a positive
C / Adequate communicative skills; fair preparation for class/class discussion; occasionally volunteers; exemplifies competence regarding course readings and concepts; student demonstrates an inoffensive, but noncommittal attitude; generally attentive during class; sporadic contributions during
D / Limited communicative skills; uneven preparation for class; rarely volunteers; demonstrates indifference or irritation when prompted; inattentive during class; rare contributions during group activities. [Performance may be marked by other flaws: consistent tardiness, disruptive behavior, inappropriate use of electronics, completing outside work during class etc.]
F / Weak communicative skills; little to no preparation for class; little evidence of reading assignments (this can include not buying course texts or not making up missed material); never volunteers, or doesn’t respond when prompted; rarely attentive during class; demonstrates potential hostility to discussion; irrelevant, distracting, or no contribution to group activities.
Discussant Days [SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4]
You will sign up for two days across the semester when you are responsible for being a discussant. While everyone should be participating in classroom discussions, discussants in particular are responsible for the following:
- Coming in with questions, topics, and passages you would like to discuss.
- Keeping class discussion moving when it slows down.
- Responding to comments and questions from your classmates.
- Making connections to ideas, questions, and readings from previous weeks.
Literary Analysis Essay [SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4]
For this essay, you will write a 5-page, double-spaced paper that will involve developing an argument and executing close, supported analysis of a literary text. No late papers will be accepted.
The week before your essay is due, you must bring in a draft of your essay (a minimum of two pages, which must include your thesis statement) and an outline for the rest of your paper for peer workshop.
If you do not bring in your assignment or do not attend peer workshop day, you can receive no higher than a “B” on your graded essay.
Midterm and Final Exam [SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4]
The midterm and final examinations will cover relevant theoretical and primary textual material from the course and will include identification, short answer, and short essays as the means of assessment. The final exam will only cover texts discussed since the midterm but will be cumulative in terms of literary terms and elements discussed throughout the semester. If you are not in class for an exam, you must make arrangements with me to take it BEFORE the exam date. If you miss an exam you will not be allowed to make it up after the rest of the class has taken the exam. (NOTE: Classroom policy is that cell phones and other electronics need to be off and away during class time; this is especially true during exams—if I see a cell phone or other electronic during an exam, you will receive a zero on the exam, so keep all electronics stored in your bag for the duration of the exam.)
Reading Quizzes [SLOs 1, 2, 3]
There will be weekly reading quizzes on Blackboard that I will announce in advance (see the Course Schedule below). I may also give in-class impromptu quizzes as a means of assessment. Blackboard quizzes are open book and open notes. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. Be aware that once a Blackboard quiz is closed, you will not be able to make it up.
Recitation [SLOs 1, 3]
You will select a poem of at least 14 lines to memorize and recite in class at the end of the semester. I’ll give you more information about this assignment in class.
Grade Distribution
Class participation 10%
Discussant Days 5%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 20%
Literary Analysis Paper 25%
Reading Quizzes 15%
Recitation 5%
Total 100%
Grading Scale
I utilize the full range of grades from A to F (including plusses and minuses) in keeping with University grading policies. Your final course grade will be based on the following components that make up your course work for the semester. UNCG defines an A as excellent; a B as good; a C as average; a D as lowest passing grade; and an F as failure. In adherence to this scale, you should understand that a C means you successfully met the requirements of the course, not that you did poorly, which would be indicated by a D or an F. Likewise, an A or B indicates that you met or exceeded course requirements.
A+ 97-100 C 74-76
A 94-96 C- 70-73
A- 90-93 D+ 67-69
B+ 87-89 D 64-66
B 84-86 D- 60-63
B- 80-83 F 59 or below
C+ 77-79
Course Policies
Academic Integrity Policy
Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic resources, falsification, and facilitating academic dishonesty. If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated, it must be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be tolerated” (from UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy). To ensure that you understand the university’s policy on academic integrity, review the guidelines and list of violations at http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu. I expect you to abide by the Academic Integrity Policy.
Any instance of plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment and may result in failure of the course, depending on the severity of the violation and the overall value of the assignment to the final grade. A second offense of any kind, including plagiarizing, falsifying information, or cheating, will result in failure of the course. Incidents of cheating and plagiarism are reported to the Dean of Students and sanctions are aligned with the policies athttp://sa.uncg.edu/dean/academic-integrity/violation/plagiarism/
Attendance Policy
Since this is a discussion-based class, it’s important that you attend all class meetings. If you do need to miss class, know you are responsible for making up the missed work, either by checking Blackboard or contacting a classmate. Per departmental policy, you are allowed three absences without a grade penalty. I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. For every absence beyond the first three, you will lose one-third of a letter grade from your final course grade (e.g., a B+ would turn into a B). Students who miss six classes will automatically fail the course. This means that you may have five absences only; if you reach a six, you have failed. Keep in mind also that attendance at the final exam session is required.
It’s important also that you arrive on time. You will be counted as absent if you miss roll call unless you see me after class to confirm that you’re present. If you are more than fifteen minutes late or leave more than fifteen minutes early, you will be counted as absent regardless. Multiple tardies (or leaving class early) will negatively affect your class participation grade.
You are, by state law, allowed two excused absences due to religious holidays, which do not count toward your total allowed three absences. If you plan to miss class because of your faith, you must notify me at least 48 hours in advance of your absence.
I understand that sometimes events occur that are beyond your control. If you have extenuating circumstances such as a death in the family, chronic illness/injury requiring prolonged medical treatment, prolonged psychological issues, etc., please let me know ASAP and also contact the Dean of Students Office for advocacy (http://sa.uncg.edu/dean/). You can use that department email, () and provide your name, your UNCG ID number, a telephone number that you can be reached, and a general description of why you would like to meet with a staff member. If your situation is urgent, you may opt for a walk-in appointment (Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm), and the staff will connect you with the appropriate person as soon as possible. The Dean of Students office is located on the second floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC).
Classroom Conduct
Students with disciplinary problems tend to be few and far between at the college level; however, if behavioral disruptions persist within a single class meeting (or, for that matter, across multiple meetings), the student in question will be asked to leave the class session with an absence for the day. Types of disruptive behavior can include any form of disrespectful comment or action directed toward me, another student, or the subject matter we are studying. I reserve the right to interpret inappropriate behaviors as I see fit and to address them accordingly; it goes without saying that remaining enrolled in my class is your tacit acknowledgment of this right. If I see the need to withdraw a student from the course because of disruptive behavior, I will follow the University’s disruptive behavior policy statement, which can be found here: http://sa.uncg.edu/handbook/wp-content/uploads/disruptive_policy.pdf
Email Response Policy
Email is the best way to reach me. You can reasonably expect I will respond to your email within forty-eight hours, excluding weekends and university holidays. However, if I have not replied to your message after forty-eight hours, please resend the message. It is good practice to treat email as a writing situation that reflects you as an individual. Use appropriate language and etiquette, and include your course number and section in the subject line. This does not mean emails have to be long and elaborate, but they should be moderately professional forms of communication with your instructor.
Late Work Policy
Assignments are due at the start of class on the day specified; otherwise, they are late. I do not accept late work, but I do accept early work. If you know ahead of time you are going to miss class when your assignment is due, please arrange to turn in your work early or have a classmate turn it in for you. I do not accept work via email.
Also, computer and printer problems do not count as emergencies. Please remember to frequently back-up your work, since computers crash unexpectedly, and this will not be an excuse for a late assignment. You should leave yourself plenty of time to get to a computer lab if your own equipment fails.