ENGL 4365:001 Office: BUS 256A Spring 2015 Office Hours: T & R 3:30-5:00
Time: TR 12:30-1:50 & by appointment Location: TBD Office Phone: 903.565.5703
Instructor: Dr. Carolyn Tilghman Email:
Special Topics:
Literature of the Fin de Siècle
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will focus on significant cross-cultural, social, and scientific debates of the fin de siècle in Great Britain. It will explore the parallels between the visual arts and literature, the relationship between literature and science and technology, class and gender politics, and the period’s contribution to the rise of modernism. We will be concerned in particular with the fin-de-siècle movements of symbolism, decadence, aestheticism, degeneration, and spiritualism.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the semester, students should have: 1) a working knowledge of several significant fin de siècle movements, novels, poems, and authors, 2) an understanding of structural elements, thematic concerns, and literary criticism associated with the assigned texts, 3) an appreciation of how fin de siècle literature and art relate to British cultural history, and 4) an awareness of the role literature plays in the creation and reflection of ideas and experience. Based on this knowledge students should be able to analyze assigned texts with critical discernment, draw relevant connections within a particular text and between texts; generate and sustain thought-provoking and relevant discussions about the assigned texts; effectively organize and present research in an oral forum; demonstrate familiarity with the assigned texts and the ability to think well and critically on examinations, and successfully compose a substantive, critically astute, and elegant seminar paper.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1. Robert Louis Stevenson. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. W. W. Norton, 2002. ISBN-13: 978-0393974652. 2. Oscar Wilde. The Picture of Dorian Gray. W. W. Norton, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0-393-92754-2. 3. H. G. Wells. The Time Machine. W. W. Norton, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0393927948. 4. Bram Stoker. Dracula (Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism, 1st edition) Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2001. ISBN-13: 978-0312241704. 5. Henry James. The Turn of the Screw (Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism, 3rd edition). Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0312597061. 6. Selected Readings accessed through Blackboard (DCP)
CLASS PARTICIPATION: This course carries a heavy reading load, and it involves a significant amount of written and oral work. In addition to keeping up with the assignments, your physical presence in class is not enough; participation means being on time, prepared for class, and consistently willing to thoughtfully discuss assigned readings and do the required work. We will be counting on each other to make the class an exciting and rewarding endeavor.
Attendance: Attending is important to successful completion of the course. Each student starts out with a 100% participation grade. Unexcused absences will lower your final class participation grade for each class missed. If your attendance is influenced by sickness or by school events, the responsibility falls upon you to see that the professor receives an official excuse from doctor, dean,
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or coach. You must provide proof of your attendance at weddings, funerals, and other significant events; your attendance at these events may be excused at the professor’s discretion.
Student Absence due to Religious Observance: Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the professor of such absences by the second meeting of class.
State-Mandated Course Drop Policy: Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another 2-year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule, a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the census date. (See Academic Calendar for the specific date.) Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the catalog. Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center and must be accompanied by documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Enrollment Services Center if you have any questions.
Withdrawal Date: The last day to withdraw from this course with an automatic “W” is March 23, 2015.
COURSE GRADING: In addition to an engaged and thoughtful discussion of the assigned texts, you will be responsible for completing a substantive seminar paper, an oral presentation, a midterm exam, and a final exam.
The following formula will guide my assessment of your grade:
Oral Presentation 10% Participation (including SWAs) 10% Seminar Paper 30% Reading Exams 50%
Reading Exams: There will be two reading exams. These will be based on the assigned texts and class discussion. Each exam will consist of an objective component and an essay component. The purpose of the objective component will be to demonstrate familiarity with and comprehension of the assigned readings; the purpose of the essay component will be to demonstrate an ability to think clearly, independently, and critically in addition to a familiarly with the assigned readings. Seminar Paper/Project: You will be assigned a ten-page seminar paper or a seminar project. The idea is to choose a relevant topic of interest and then narrow this topic into a succinct thesis or project objective based on careful study, intelligent analysis, and independent research. Due dates are listed on the course calendar. Late papers/projects will be marked down 2% of the assigned grade for each day they are late. A handout with detailed instructions for the paper/project will be provided.
Oral Presentation: You will be asked to give an oral presentation based on research of a specific historical, political, or aesthetic topic relating to an assigned text. Because the assignment’s purpose is to enhance understanding of a particular text, the presentation should provide material that expands upon or is in addition to the material covered in class. The key will be to establish the relevance of your material to the selected text. More detailed instructions, a suggested topic list, and the sign-up sheet will be provided early in the semester.
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SWAs: There will be a series of short writing assignments. These assignments will be tailored for the exploration and discussion of particular assigned texts. They will be included in your participation grade. Further instructions will be provided.
Grade Replacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies: Students repeating a course for grade forgiveness (grade replacement) must file a Grade Replacement Contract with the Enrollment Services Center (ADM 230) on or before the Census Date of the semester in which the course will be repeated. Grade Replacement Contracts are available in the Enrollment Services Center or at
http://www.uttyler.edu/registrar. Each semester’s Census Date can be found on the Contract itself,
on the Academic Calendar, or in the information pamphlets published each semester by the Office of the Registrar.
Failure to file a Grade Replacement Contract will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average. Undergraduates are eligible to exercise grade replacement for only three course repeats during their career at UT Tyler; graduates are eligible for two grade replacements. Full policy details are printed on each Grade Replacement Contract.
The Census Date is the deadline for many forms and enrollment actions that students need to be aware of. These include:
· Submitting Grade Replacement Contracts, Transient Forms, requests to withhold directory information, approvals for taking courses as Audit, Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit.
· Receiving 100% refunds for partial withdrawals. (There is no refund for these after the Census Date)
· Schedule adjustments (section changes, adding a new class, dropping without a “W” grade)
· Being reinstated or re-enrolled in classes after being dropped for non-payment
· Completing the process for tuition exemptions or waivers through Financial Aid
STUDENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES: To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please follow the following link: http://www2.uttyler.edu/wellness/rightsresponsibilities.php.
Disability Services: In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University offers accommodations to students with learning, physical and/or psychiatric disabilities. If you have a disability, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, PTSD or ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a previous educational environment you are encouraged to contact the Student Accessibility and Resources office and schedule an interview with the Accessibility Case Manager/ADA Coordinator, Cynthia Lowery Staples. If you are unsure if the above criteria applies to you, but have questions or concerns please contact the SAR office. For more information or to set up an appointment please visit the SAR office located in the University Center, Room 3150 or call 903.566.7079. You may also send an email to .
Social Security and FERPA Statement: It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted electronically.
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Emergency Exits and Evacuation: Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor’s directions regarding the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform your instructor in the first week of class. Do not re-enter the building unless given permission by University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention Services
Academic Honesty: You must not submit work that has been copied, wholly or partially, from a book, article, essay, newspaper, another student’s notebook, paper, test, or any other written or printed or internet or media source. In the event that extra credit paper is assigned, another writer’s phrases, sentences, or paragraphs may be included as part of your work only if presented in paraphrase or quotation with the source appropriately cited both in the text and in an attached bibliography. Academic dishonesty will be reported and may result in failure of the course.
Welcome to class! I hope this class will be a place for you to present your thoughts, listen to the thoughts of others, and formulate exciting ideas while you increase your appreciation of the wealth offered by fin de siècle literature. If you have any questions or concerns, I urge you to see me during my office hours or make an appointment to meet with me.
PLEASE SAVE THIS INFORMATION FOR REFERENCE IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING CLASS POLICY.