Approaches to Literature: Section 104-08
Fall 2010
Class Room: Bryan 202Instructor: Charlie Guy-McAlpin
TR, 11:00-12:15Office: MHRA 3210-H
Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 pmE-mail:
and by appointment
Approaches to Literature: An Introduction to Literary Study
This course focuses on a simple question: how do we read literature? But the way we go about answering that question can be infinitely complex, and that intricacy is what makes literature exciting. This semester, we will read an incredibly diverse array of texts from poetry, drama and fiction, and we will work together to discover illuminating approaches that build on their similarities and differences. Unlike other literature courses that focus on a particular time period and place, we will foster an appreciation for literature by studying its great diversity. We will work to read more analytically and responsively while promoting critical writing and thinking on literary topics.
This syllabus is subject to change when deemed necessary by the instructor.
Required Texts and Materials:
Hamilton, Sharon. Essential Literary Terms: A Brief Norton Guide with Exercises. New York: Norton, 2006.ISBN: 9780393928372
Kushner, Tony. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes: Part One: Millennium Approaches. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 2003.ISBN: 9781559362313
Synge, John Millington. The Playboy of the Western World and Two Other Irish Plays. New York: Penguin, 1997.ISBN: 9780140188783
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York: Puffin, 2008.ISBN: 9780141321097
Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterghouse-Five. New York: Dial Press, 1999.ISBN: 9780385333849
At times, primarily in the first few weeks of class, we will read from selections I have placed in Course Documents on Blackboard. A few of these exceed fifty pages. I sympathize with the financial burden this imposes, but it is cheaper than requiring you to buy the books. You must print all materials and bring them to class for successful participation.
Course Objectives
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify and understand varied characteristics of literature
- Apply techniques of literary analysis to texts
- Use literature studies to develop skills in careful reading and clear writing
- Demonstrate understanding of diverse social and historical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted
Course Requirements
Attendance:Attendance is crucial in this course—much of our learning will take place in class discussion and in face-to-face interactions with each other. However, you are allowed three absences without penalty. For absences beyond those allowed, you will be penalized a half-letter grade for each day. Upon your sixth absence, you will automatically fail the class, regardless of prior work and grade in the course. This policy makes no distinction between "excused" and "unexcused" absences. For genuine crises, such as a serious illness or a death in your family, notify me as soon as possible and contact the Dean of Students Office (Student Affairs) in order to receive necessary academic support for continued enrollment.
I do not tolerate tardiness. For every two times you arrive to class after I begin speaking, you will accrue an absence. Do not bother coming if you will be more than 10 minutes late, because I will count you absent.
Grade Evaluation:
Participation – 15%
Group-Led Discussion - 15%
Reading Responses / Quizzes – 20%
Midterm Exam—20%
Final Exam – 30%
Participation: The format of this class will be a mixture of mini / informal lecture and class discussion (both full-class and small group), with a heavy emphasis on student discussion. Your participation grade will come mainly from your ability to engage in class discussion (I do keep track of this); therefore, it is imperative that you complete all assigned readings prior to the class and prepare to participate actively in discussion. Be warned that I often call on students and expect them to do more than talk for the sake of talking. My suggestion is that as you complete your reading assignments, you take written notes on several issues with which the text is concerned and note your own observations and opinions about them. Bring your notes to class and use them as talking points if necessary—this ensures that you are prepared to engage in discussion. Any in-class writing we perform (free writes, creating discussion questions, etc) will also count toward your participation grade.
I do not accept late work or papers. If you anticipate missing class the day a written assignment is due, be it a paper, response, or something else, make arrangements to get your work to me ahead of time.
Group-Led Discussion: You will be assigned peer groups at the beginning of the semester, with which you will lead class discussion on a text (sign-up for dates and texts will happen early in the semester). Details forthcoming.
Online Responses/Reading Quizzes: In addition to regular reading quizzes, you will be responsible for three two-page responses to the readings. I will expect you to analyze a particular character, scene, or theme with ample evidence and attention to persuasive critical thinking.
Exams: The midterm exam will consist of identification and short answer questions; the final exam will consist of identification, short answer questions, and one essay question. We’ll review for these, as well as work with and discuss test-taking skills prior to each exam.
A Few Notes for Staying on My Good Side
Laptops: I don’t want them in my classroom. In my experience they offer more opportunities for distraction than benefit. See me if you have a documented need.
Cell phones: You get one warning, and then I get to answer it. If my phone rings more than once I’ll let one of you answer it—only fair.
Speaking Out of Turn: If you attempt to have a conversation (or text) with someone while I or your peers are speaking, I will probably ask you to leave the room and count you absent. It is an incredibly inconsiderate habit.
As a general rule, please do your best to be a decent and respectful human being.
Please contact me through email. I generally try to check email every day, but if I have not responded to you within 48 hours, please re-send your message.
“Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include 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 < I expect you to abide by the Academic Integrity Policy.
Students with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me about accommodations as soon as possible. If you believe you could benefit from such accommodations, you must first register with the Office of Disability Services on campus before such accommodations can be made. The office is located on the second floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC) in Suite 215, and the office is open 8am to 5pm, Monday - Friday. Telephone: 334-5440; e-mail: .
Any reading that is not a required text can be found in Course Documents on Blackboard
Week / Reading Assignment / Work / Assignments Due
Week One
August 24/26 / T: Introductions
R: Emerson's "The American Scholar";ELT, "Preface," and "Poetry" (xiii-xvi; 13-14)
******** / Poetry
Week Two
August 31 / September 2 / T: Selections from The Iliad
R: Selections from Beowulf
Week Three
September 7/9 / T: Selections from Poe
R: Selections from Whitman /
R: Group-led Discussion 1
Week Four
September 14/16 / T: Selections from Heaney
R: Selections from Yeats / T: Short Response Post Due
R: Group-led Discussion 2
******** / Drama
Week Five
September 21/23 / T: ELT, "Drama" (1-7); Synge's The Playboy of the Western World, Acts I and II
R: Playboy, Act III /
R: Group-led Discussion 3
Week Six
September 28/30 / T: Rowson's Slaves in Algiers, Act I
R: Slaves, Acts II and III /
R: Group-led Discussion 4
Week Seven
October 5/7 / T: Kushner's Angels in America, Act I
R: Angels, Acts II and III / T: Short Response Post Due
R: Group-led Discussion 5
Week EightOctober 12/14 / T: Fall Break--No Class
R: Midterm Review
******** / Fiction
Week Nine
October 19/21 / T: Midterm Exam
R: ELT, "Fiction" (8-12); Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown" and "The Minister's Black Veil"; Lavin's "Happiness"
Week Ten
October 26/28 / T: Twain's Huck Finn, chapters 1-12
R: Huck Finn, chs. 13-21 /
R: Group-led Discussion 6
Week Eleven
November 2/4 / T: Huck Finn, chs. 22-30
R: Huck Finn, chs. 31-end /
R: Group-led Discussion 7
Week Twelve
November 9/11 / T: Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five, chs. 1-2
R: Slaughterhouse, chs. 3-4 /
R: Group-led Discussion 8
Week Thirteen
November 16/18 / T: Slaughterhouse, ch. 5
R: Slaughterhouse, chs. 6-10 /
R: Short Response Post Due
Week Fourteen
November 23/25 / Thanksgiving Holiday--No Class
Week Fifteen
November 30 / December 2 / T: Final Exam Review
R: Final Exam Review
Exam Period
Tuesday, December 14: 12:00 - 3:00 pm