SYLLABUS
HUMNS 205 – Contemporary Literature: Cultural Perspectives
Class Meets Thursdays 1-5pm
Course Description
Students examine selected readings of fiction, essays, and novels by important contemporary writers with an emphasis on social and cultural issues. The course takes a humanities approach in the exploration of culture and its origins, values, and changing status. Discussions, essays, group projects, presentations, and peer critiques assist students in developing the skills to present sensitive and controversial topics to an audience. Students write a minimum of 5,000 words in essays, response papers, and a final research project. 4 units
Prerequisite
ENGL 155 College Composition and Research
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Analyze cultural aspects of various types of literature including prose, poetry, music, film, and drama.
2. Identify analogies, metaphors, and symbols within written and visual texts.
3. Write coherent analyses of literature in academic essays.
4. Analyze issues raised in literature for both discussion and academic essays.
Instructor Information
Karen Zandarski
January Quarter 2015
E-mail:
Topics Covered
· Understanding Literature
· Poetry
· Contemporary Media
· Fictional short stories and novel(s)
· Drama and film
· Oral communication
Textbook(s)
Bundle ISBN: 1111348839
This bundle consists of:
· Kirszner, L.G., & Mandell, S.R. (2012). LIT, 1st Edition. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. ISBN: 13-978- 1-11134883-0.
· Novel –
Grading
Exams 30%
Projects and Assignments 60%
Participation 10%
90% / - / 100% / = / A / = / Superior80% / - / 89.99% / = / B / = / Above Average
70% / - / 79.99% / = / C / = / Average
60% / - / 69.99% / = / D / = / Below Average†
59.99% / - / or below / = / F / = / Failing (Class performance and subject knowledge mastery are below academic and job acceptability; class must be repeated)
PASS / = / Pass (Internship/Externship)
FAIL / = / Fail (Internship/Externship)
IP / = / In Progress (for Internship/Externship six-week extensions only)
W / = / Withdraw (after the Add/Drop Period)
WZ / = / Military Withdrawal (active duty student deployed or training)
TR / = / Transfer Credit
PE / = / Proficiency Exam
†Satisfactory completion of most courses is based on achieving a grade of at least “D”. However, satisfactory completion of some courses is based on achieving a grade of at least “C”. Students earning less than 70% in these courses will receive an F. Courses that require a passing grade of “C” are identified by a “†” in the Academic Program Descriptions section within the Academic Catalog. Students are encouraged to review the Academic Catalog and current Addendum to determine whether they are required to earn 70% to pass this class.
Students whose cumulative grade point average is below 2.0 will not graduate.
Heald does not grant “extra credit” points. Students can view their final grades online using the Heald Student Portal.
Students' participation grade is based on adherence to Heald and instructor classroom rules, and participation in discussions. Students’ participation grades are in flux until the end of the term. Students may lose points due to tardiness, absences, failure to maintain professional dress standards, and disruptive behavior.
Course at a Glance
Date / In-Class Activites / HomeworkWeek 2 Feb 5 / Introductions
Review of Understanding
Literature: Theme
Review of Writing Literary arguments
Literary Devices
Review of Short story
What is a reader response? / Read Chapter 2: “Reading and Writing about Literature”
Type a list of any key terms and their definitions from the chapter. Upload this under the Ch. 2 assignment in Engrade
Read Chapter 19: “Understanding Poetry”
Choose a poem or song that you find particularly poetic to discuss in class next week. Note which kind of poetry this poem or song might be classified as. Include a list of key terms and definitions from the song/poem.
Upload your chosen song lyrics/poem on Engrade under the Ch. 19 assignment.
Week 3: Feb 12
Poetry / Review Ch. 2
Review Ch. 19
How to read poetry and analyze poetry using form, speaker, tone, language, imagery, irony
Poetry: The Open Mic / Read Chapter 30 “Understanding Drama”
Read: Death of a Salesman
Pg 605
Write 1 page reader respone on Death of a Salesman. Upload your typed response on Engrade under the Ch. 31 assignment.
Week 4: 2/19
Drama / Drama and film:
Review Ch. 30
Discuss Death of a Salesman
Dramatic readings & interpretations / Bring Novel to class next week
Read: Chapter 9: “Understanding Fiction”
Type a list of key terms and their definitions. Upload this under the Ch. 9 assignment in Engrade.
Read Chapter 11: “Plot” Type a list of key terms and their definitions. Upload this under the Ch. 11 assignment in Engrade.
Week 5: 2/26
Fiction
· Controversial issues
· Components of fictional readings including narrator, character development, plot, setting, conflict, and climax/abyss
· Symbolism, analogies, and metaphor / Review Ch. 9
Review Ch. 11
Watch Film Adaption of Triffles and discuss.
Things to think about as you start reading this novel / Read Chapter 12: “Character”
Answer Question #1 of Writing Suggestions on page 146. Upload your typed response to the Ch.12 assignment in Engrade.
Read: The Hunger Games Chapter 1-5
Context Assignment: For a more complete understanding of the novel, present some information on what was happening at the time the novel takes place. Where in the world does this take place? If the US, who is president?
What are the social/political issues at the time?
How do these impact the events of the novel?
Benchmark Outline: Choose option 1, 2, or 3 and outline project
Week 6: 3/5
Fiction / Review Ch. 12
Hungar Games discussion
o Identifying thematic development
o Distinguishing plot from theme.
o Identifying character development and its contribution to themes / Read Chapter 13: “Setting”
Answer Question #1 of Writing Suggestions on pg 168. Upload your typed answer to the Ch. 13 assignment in Engrade.
Read Chapter 15: Style, tone, and Language pgs. 204-208
Read Chapter 16: Symbol, Allegory, and Myth pgs. 241-245
Benchmark Rough Draft – Due March 12
Read The Hunger Games Chapter 6-13
Week 7: 3/12
Fiction
· Cultural Viewpoints Shown in Literature
· Individual Impacts on Society
· Critical thinking
· Cultural and historical context
Multiple interpretations of a single text / Review Ch. 13
Review Ch. 15
Review Ch. 16
Applying cultural lenses to literary analysis / Read Chapter 17: Theme pgs. 269-272
Read The Hunger Games 14-20
Week 8: 3/19 / Final Benchmark Assignments and Presentations / Sign up for benchmark presentation
Complete Final Benchmark Assignment
Week 9 March 26 / Complete benchmark
Presentations / Final Benchmark Due April 2 11:59 PM
Rehearse presentation
Week 10 March April 2 / Presentations
Week 11: April 9 / Benchmark presentations
Final Exam Review
COURSE AT A GLANCE
Instructor’s Biography
It is my hope that you will complete this class seeing purpose for the humanities in your life. I hope to help you see how readings and writings can help a person (or you) to communicate with across space and time. I hope that I am able to help you see how the humanities can be used to better the world you live in and the world beyond your life. I hope that this class helps you to see how the humanities can help you understand both your world and the world beyond your walls.
Online Library and Learning Resources
· Found at http://heald.campusguides.com, in your Internet Explorer favorites, and the student portal.
· Off-campus remote username is: heald_college; password is: student. (No login required on campus computers.)
· The Library and LRC contains resources, including EBSCO and online tutoring, needed to complete course work.
· For more information about all available resources, contact a Library and LRC staff member.
Instructor’s Classroom Guidelines
· Participation: In this course, you will learn skills that will be used in virtually every future course and your chosen career. There is a lot of information to cover and your participation is vital to your success. Participation is more than just showing up for class; it includes, but is not limited to attendance, journal writing, peer workshops, group presentations, and participation in class discussions.
· Late Assignment Policy: Late assignments are not accepted past the first week of class without a medical note. To accommodate for add/drop and technology issues late work will be accepted for week 1 ONLY until Jan. 30th.
· Electronic Equipment: Electronic equipment seems to have become an essential part of everyday life; it is often difficult to separate ourselves from our equipment. However, electronic equipment is allowed in class ONLY for class participation.
· Emails: Emails sent Monday – Friday will be answered within 24 hours. Emails sent after 5 PM on Friday will be answered the next business day (Monday).
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