ENGLISH 123, FALL 2013
PROFESSOR DOW
OFFICE: 1030 N
PHONE: (707) 253-3187
Email:
Office Hours: MTWTH 9:00-9:30 AM and 11:30 AM—12:00 Noon. I reply to email and phone messages only during scheduled office hours.
TEXTS: One World of Literature; and A Short Guide to Writing about Literature
EXPECTED OF THE ENTERING STUDENT
Students enrolling in English 123 are expected to be familiar with methods of essay organization, including in-class essays and research essays. Students are expected to know how to use a formal method for a research essay, such as the MLA
Method. English 123 builds on the foundation laid in English 120, the prerequisite course.
OBJECTIVES:
This course develops critical thinking, reading, and writing skills through the study of logical reasoning, the analysis of literary texts and the generation of written arguments. Literature will provide subject matter for argumentative or analytical essays; the course will develop students’ abilities to analyze, criticize, and reason inductively and deductively.
Students will be introduced to basic forms of literary criticism that they will use to examine selected texts from the assigned anthology. Critical approaches to be studied include: Formalist (New) Criticism; Deconstruction; Reader-Response Criticism; Archetypal Criticism; Historic Context Criticism; Biographical Criticism; Psychological Criticism; and Gender (Feminist, and Lesbian and Gay) Criticism. We will also study explication, analysis, and interpretation.
In our reading we will apply concepts learned from critical theory to selected stories and we will analyze the elements of literary form, including plot, character, setting, point of view, theme, and tone. We will also analyze the use of figurative language and symbols.
We will examine the structure of poetry, paying attention to metrics, rhyme schemes, patterns of sound, stanza patterns, uses of image, symbol and myth, and uses of figurative language.
REQUIREMENTS;
Students will write 6,000 to 8,000 words, including in-class essays, out-of-class essays, essay exams, revisions of essays, and analytic exercises. Students will be required to give oral presentations.
ASSESSMENT: Essays will be graded according to the English 123/125 Rubric and /or rubrics designed for individual essays (refer to handouts). Your final grade will include:
Essays 70%
Portfolio of homework assignments 15%
Tests 10%
Oral Presentations 05%
When there is no oral presentation this 05% is added to the tests.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon Successful completion of English 123, Critical Thinking about Literature, students will be able to
§ Demonstrate critical reading, writing, and research skills;
§ Demonstrate an understanding of the essentials of academic argumentation;
§ Demonstrate an understanding of basic literary theory as it relates to the development of an argument about literature.
ATTENDANCE
It is the policy of this college that you can be dropped from a class if you miss more than three hours of instruction (When the class meets for three hours a week), no matter what the reason.
I take roll at the beginning of every class. If you are late it is your responsibility to tell me (after class) so I will adjust my roster and not show you as absent. Please be in class on time.
If you do miss a class it is your responsibility to get the homework assignment from a fellow student. When you work in groups you can exchange contact information.
Absences and tardiness will adversely effect your grade in this class because, as it is with any job, you are only paid, given a grade, when you are in the classroom doing the class’s work. If you miss homework assignments, or if you are not here for group work, you will not receive credit for the missed work.
MISSED TESTS OR ESSAYS
Missed tests or essays cannot be made up unless there is a documented exceptional circumstance. In this case a contract with the professor will be required and points will be lost.
CELL PHONES DURING TESTS
Cell phones also have cameras that could be used to photograph a test. Therefore, if you use a cell phone in any way—even just having it visible—during a test, you will receive an F on the test.
CELL PHONES MUST BE SILENT IN THE CLASSROOM. If you expect an urgent message, please let me know before class. I will keep my phone on to monitor the campus emergency network.
PLEASE RESPECT YOUR OWN EDUCATION AND THE EDUCATION OF YOUR CLASSMATES.
Because I respect your desire for an education I request that you do not participate in conduct that distracts from the educational process for yourself or others, such as unnecessary talking or text messaging. Phones must be placed on silent mode during class. Please do not leave the room to use your cell phone. Every time you allow yourself to be distracted from your education you are teaching yourself the habits of distraction, lack of focus, and lack of concentration. These habits are obstacles to your success and harmful to your grades. When you are distracted you often miss essential information.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Napa Valley College has an ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY that is published in the College Catalogue. If you haven’t already done so, please become familiar with this policy. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating are a serious breach of academic standards. If an essay contains plagiarized material it will receive a failing grade. If a student cheats on a test they will fail the test. Successive acts of cheating will result in failing the class.
Only students with documented disabilities can take tests in the Testing Center. If you have a disability that requires accommodations you should contact the Office of Special Services (DSPS) in the Library, room 1766, phone (707) 254-3080, and make an appointment in the Counseling Center (Bldg. 1300) to meet with a DSPS Counselor (707) 256-7220.