Professor Karen Schneider
CH 100 www.wku.edu/~karen.schneider/
745-3046 (w) 782-3037 (h)
ENG 299 Introduction to English Studies
Course Description and Rationale
Most of us choose to be English majors because we enjoy reading and/or creating literature. Of course, there’s a lot more to the study of English. Exploring what the discipline of English entails will be but one of our goals. We will also consider what we read, why, and how, and why any of that matters; the relationships among the various subjects and activities that constitute English studies; the controversial issues in the field; and the various resources and opportunities available to scholars/teachers/writers.
Required Texts
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th ed.
Murfin, Ross, and Suprya M. Ray, eds. Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms. 2nd ed. 2003.
Rushdie, Salman. Haroun and the Sea of Stories. London: Granta Books, 1990.
Stoker, Bram. Dracula. Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism. Ed. John Paul Riquelme. 2002.
Reader
Course Requirements
ú Regular and Punctual Attendance: Classroom discussion, oral presentations, and guest speakers are at the heart of this course; absences result in irrevocable loss and should therefore be avoided if at all possible. Because class discussion and activities are essential to your success in this class, I encourage attendance by awarding or deducting points as follows:
0-1 absences: +20 pts
2-3 absences: no loss, no gain
4-5 absences: - 20 pts
6-7 absences: - 40 pts
8 or more: automatic failure
ú Intellectual Autobiography: a 2 to 3 page essay in which you describe the intellectual events and experiences that helped lead you to where you are now in your formal education—your decision to be an English major.
ú Attending a performance of Street Scene (from March 1-4)
ú Attending Azir Nafisi presentation, Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 in Van Meter Hall
ú Literary Analysis: a 4-5 page analysis of a literary work (or works) that we have read in class. You may write about Haroun and the Sea of Stories (a novel), one or more of the poems, or one or both short stories. More on the topics and possible approaches later. However, this should be original work done without consulting secondary sources (including the Internet).
ú Literary Terms handout and oral presentation: As indicated on the syllabus, during the first half of the semester we will be considering various terms and concepts important to thinking about literature. I have selected nine items from the Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms. That means that three students will collaborate to present a summary presentation of the term (what it means, its significance, some examples) to the class. This will include a handout to be distributed (which I will copy for you) to the class and an oral presentation (of about 5 mins). Each trio will share the required work in a way agreed upon by the group; each member of the group will receive the same grade.
ú Research Essay: a 6-8 page paper that will incorporate research and include appropriate documentation. More later.
ú Initial and Closing Surveys
ú Final Reflection: in lieu of final More later.
Grade Determination
Intellectual Autobiography 50 pts
Literary Analysis 100
Glossary handout/presentation 50
Research Essay 200
Final Reflection 50
Total points 450
Paper Guidelines
All papers must be typed (double-spaced, with the usual 1" margins, NON-justified on the right). Cover sheets are discouraged (see MLA form). All essays should have original titles (remember not to underline your own title). Please do not put papers in any kind of binder, but do make sure the pages are stapled or clipped together. I reserve the right to return, unread, papers that have not been adequately proofread or do not otherwise meet the requirements. Late papers are a problem for both you and me. Unless faced with an emergency, you must turn in all papers on time. I will absolutely not accept any papers more than a week late and then only if you have cleared it with me.
Conferences
At any time during the semester, if you want help with anything connected to this class--the readings, class material, written assignments--I will be glad to provide it. I am especially committed to helping you become better writers. We can work on any stage of the writing process: brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revision. You will never do your best work if you wait until the night before something is due to write it. Leave time for revision! You can drop by my office most any time, but an appointment is the best way to go. Do not be shy about asking.
A Note on Plagiarism
Plagiarism isn’t always fully intentional, I realize, but it is always wrong. Always give credit for another’s ideas, even if you are only summarizing or paraphrasing. Substituting a word here and there in a sentence does NOT constitute good enough paraphrase; recast the sentence altogether. Always use quotation marks when using someone else’s language, even if it’s only a short phrase (and, sometimes, a single word). Always use in-text parenthetical page number documentation to indicate source, and always include full bibliographic information for that source on a separate Works Cited page at the end. Any writing with plagiarism I deem “unintentional” (sloppy use of sources) will have to be totally redone, with a letter grade deduction. Any writing with intentional plagiarism will receive a zero; depending on the extent of the offense, intentional plagiarism could result in failure for the class.
In the Writing Center (CH 123) tutors are available to help you with specific micro problems (e. g, sentence fragments) and/or the writing process, such as thesis development, paragraph unity, organization, transitions, etc. Remember, though, this is not a proofreading service.
Disabilities Statement: "Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 445, Potter Hall. The OFSDS telephone number is (270) 745-5004 V/TDD. Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services."
Cell phone policy: Be sure to turn off your cell phone when entering class. If it rings during class, I will take up the phone and keep it until the next day. If it rings a second time, I will keep it for a week. A third time, and the phone is mine until the end of the semester!
SYLLABUS
M Jan 22 Introductions
W Jan 24 Eagleton, “What Is Literature?” (reader)
Explore my website and that of the English Dept.
Sign up for presentation
**survey due Friday, Jan. 26, by 4:30 (hard copy or email attachment)
---
M Jan 29 Rushdie, Haroun and the Sea of Stories (all of it)
W Jan 31 cont. Haroun Glossary presentations:
1) allegory and fable and satire _______________________________
2) fantasy fiction _________________________________________
---
M Feb 5 Snyder, “Some Good Things to be Said about the Iron Age” Berger, “The Meal”
Frost, “The Road Not Taken” (all 3 in reader)
Glossary presentations:
3) imagery and ambiguity __________________________________
4) New Criticism ________________________________________
W Feb 7 Cullen, “Yet Do I Marvel”
Forché, “The Colonel” (both in reader)
Glossary presentations:
5) irony ______________________________________________
6) myth and ideology ____________________________________
**Intellectual Autobiography due by Fri 2/9 (email attachment or hard copy)
---
M Feb 12 Scholes, “The Humanities in a Posthumanist World” (reader)
Read Nafisi excerpt (reader) before attending her talk
W Feb 14 Discuss Nafisi and Reading Lolita in Tehran excerpt
Guest Speaker: Dr. Angie Jones, on internships
---
M Feb 19 Presidents Day. No class
W Feb 21 Your Friend the MLA Handbook Glossary presentations:
7) theme and symbol _______________________________________
---
M Feb26 Boyle, “Greasy Lake”
Baxter, “Gryphon” (both in reader)
W Feb 28 Literary Analysis Due (by Friday, March 2)
Guest Speakers: Dr. Libby Oakes and Dr. Wes Berry, on creative writing & research and planning for graduate school
---
Reminder: See Street Scene (March 1-4) some time before 3/5. Bring program to class.
---
M Mar 5 Discuss Street Scene Glossary presentation:
8) Marxist Criticism ______________________________________
W Mar 7 Research: Why? How? Meet in CH 15 (computer classroom)
---
SPRING BREAK Read Dracula (all of novel, but no supporting material)
---
M Mar 19 Stoker, Dracula
W Mar 21 “Introduction: Biographical and Historical Contexts” (3-21)
“Contextual Illustrations and Documents” (370-79) and then choose two or three of the individual documents to read carefully
---
M Mar 26 “A Critical History (409-28) Glossary presentation:
9) Cultural Criticism (79-86) ________________________________
W Mar 28 Gender Criticism and Dracula (434-65)
---
M Apr 2 Psychoanalytic Criticism and Dracula (466-99)
Topic for Research essay due
W Apr 4 Research Day (no class)
---
M Apr 9 New Historicism and Dracula (500-37)
W Apr 11 Deconstruction and Dracula (538-72)
---
M Apr 16 Combining Perspectives on Dracula (573-99)
W Apr 18 Beidler, “What Do English Majors Do?”
Guest speaker: Dr. Katie Green, program and career advising
---
M Apr 23 Guest speakers: Dr. Joe Hardin, Composition and Rhetoric; Dr. Elizabeth Winkler, linguistics; Dr. Alex Poole, English as a Second Language
W Apr 25 Guest Speakers: Ms. Aubrey Videtto and Mr. Derek Strode, former English majors and more
Research Essay Due
---
M Apr 30 “canon” (Bedford 46-47) and Guillory, “Canon” (reader)
W May 2 Closing survey
---
Finals Week: Final Reflection