Introduction to Narrative/ ENG.105.04

Ms. Hawkins

Class Time: MWF 11:00-11:50

Bryan 121

Office: Curry 335A;

Office Hours: MWF 10-11 or by appointment

Narrative is radical, creating us at the very moment it is being created.

-Toni Morrison, Nobel Prize Lecture, 1993

One writes out of one thing only—one’s own experience. Everything depends on how relentlessly one forces from this experience the last drop, sweet or bitter, it can possibly give. This is the only real concern of the artist, to recreate out of the disorder of life that order which is art. The difficulty then, for me, of being a Negro writer was the fact that I was, in effect, prohibited from examining my own experience too closely by the tremendous demands and the very real dangers of my social situation.

-James Baldwin, Race and the African American Writer, 1955

I have always loved America; it is something precious in the memory in blood and cells which insists on story, poetry, song, life, life.

-Simon Ortiz, from Sand Creek, 1981

I. Course Description:

In this class, we will be considering, most broadly, the complex ways we frame our American identities. We will do so through repeated close and thorough analyses of some of the seminal works of American literature. We will be paying attention to how these narratives describe, expose, revise, and inform our ideologies about American identity for both the individual who reads the narrative (us) and the broader society from which the narrative springs forth. We will look specifically at identities of race, gender, sexuality, nationality and social class, and we will consider how the literature we read, both thematically and structurally, attempts to challenge, subvert, or support traditional ideologies about identity. Wrapped up in this “identity question” will inevitably be issues of voice, exclusion, and agency. Whose voices are heard, and whose voices are not? Who has been excluded from traditional discourse? How does narrative work to challenge traditional ideology and to create agency?

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the GLT marker:

1. Demonstrate the reading skill required for the student of literary texts. (LG3) 

2. Identify and/or describe some of the varied characteristics of literary texts. (LG3) 

3. Demonstrate orally, in writing, or by some other means, a fundamental ability to use some of the techniques and/or methods of literary analysis. (LG 1 and LG 3) 

4. Identify and/or describe some of the various social, historical, cultural, and/or theoretical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted. (LG3)

Required Texts:

Browning and Elmes, Lenses: Perspectives on Literature. Second Edition. ISBN: 9780738070070

Diaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. ISBN: 9781594483295

Lawn, Bevery. 40 Short Stories: A Portable Anthology. Fourth Edition. ISBN: 9781457604751

Morrison, The Bluest Eye. ISBN: 9780307278449

Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye. ISBN: 9780316769488

Blackboard readings: You are responsible for bringing hard copies of these stories to class.

Attendance

According to UNCG English department policy, you have four absences in a MWF class without penalty. I do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences. If you miss a fifth, sixth or seventh class, your grade will drop a half a letter grade for each absence, and if you miss an eighth class, you will automatically fail.

Students are by state law allowed two excused absences due to religious holidays. These absences do not count toward the total maximums allowed above. If a student plans to miss class due to a religious holiday, he or she must notify the instructor in writing at least 48 hours prior to the absence.

If you have extenuating circumstances such as a death in the family, chronic illness/injury requiring prolonged medical treatment, prolonged psychological issues, etc., then you should immediately contact the Dean of Students Office for advocacy (http://sa.uncg.edu/dean/). You can use that department email, () and provide your name, your UNCG ID number, a telephone number that you can be reached, and a general description of why you would like to meet with a staff member. If your situation is urgent, you may opt for a walk-in appointment (Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm), and the staff will connect you with the appropriate person as soon as possible. The Dean of Students office is located on the second floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC).

Tardiness

I will be taking role at the beginning of class, so if you are late to class, you are responsible for reminding me that you were present at the end of class. Excessive lateness will result in a significant loss in your participation grade. If you are more than twenty minutes late to class, you will receive an absence.

What you need to bring to class everyday:

Lenses
A class journal and a pen. You may take notes in this journal, and we will also use it often for free writing during class.
The reading for class. If it’s a reading on Blackboard, you are required to bring a printed out copy to class. Please buy paper copies of all novels. I will not accept the reading on a tablet.

Grading

Midterm Exam: 20 %

Final Paper: 30 %

Participation: 15 %

Reading quizzes: 10 %

Close Readings: 10 %

Narrative Assignment: 10 %

Library Assignment: 5 %

* Do not ask me about the status of your grade. You are responsible for keeping up with your grades in the class, and you will have a good sense of your participation grade based on how much you are participating. Simple, right? If you are near failing (C minus or below), I will send you an email and submit a starfish report before the “withdraw without penalty” date.

Midterm Exam:

I will administer your midterm exam on Friday, February 27. You must be present in the class during this day. There will not be a make up exam. I will return graded exams by Friday, March 6 on the last day to withdraw from the class without penalty.

Final Paper:

Your final paper will be 5-6 pages and will be a thesis-based analysis of one of the novels we’ve read or a comparative essay about two of the short stories. Your paper will be due on the final exam date.

Participation:

This class is discussion based, so I want to hear all of your voices. Participation also includes bringing your materials to class every day, active listening, and contributing to group work.

Reading Quizzes:

We will have multiple reading quizzes over the semester. We will go over the answers to the in-class quizzes right after you turn them in, and I will not return them back to you, because you will know your grade.

Close Reading:

You will have one short close reading assignment. This will be 1-2 pages, and you will be required to analyze a short passage. A formal assignment sheet will be on Blackboard closer to the due date.

Narrative Assignment:

The narrative assignment will be a creative piece of writing that will test your understanding of the various elements of narrative. A formal assignment sheet will be on Blackboard closer to the due date.

Library Assignment:

We will spend a day in the library learning about research. You will be required to find a piece of scholarship on a novel or short story we read in class, and write a short 1-2 page summary of the article.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, 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 http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu. I expect you to abide by the Academic Integrity Policy. Incidents of cheating and plagiarism are reported to the Dean of Students and sanctions are aligned with the policies at http://sa.uncg.edu/dean/academic-integrity/violation/plagiarism/

NOTE: Any instance of plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment and may result in failure of the course, depending on the severity of the violation and the overall value of the assignment to the final grade. A second offense of any kind, including plagiarizing, falsifying information, or cheating, will result in failure of the course.

Behavior and Language

The exchange of ideas in the classroom requires a respect for others. I will not tolerate or excuse lewd, crude, sexist, racist, or homophobic language and behavior. (See policies on hazing, disruptive behavior, and various forms of discrimination at <http://deanofstudents.uncg.edu/policy/>.) As the instructor of this course, it is up to my discretion to determine what inappropriate behavior looks like, and I reserve the right to take any measures necessary to maintain the safety of the students in the classroom.

The Writing Center

The purpose of the Writing Center (http://www.uncg.edu/eng/writingcenter/) is to enhance the confidence and competence of student writers by providing free, individual assistance at any stage of any writing project. Staff consultants are experienced writers and alert readers, prepared to offer feedback and suggestions on drafts of papers, help students find answers to their questions about writing, and provide one-on-one instruction as needed. You may schedule writing conferences either by email () or phone (336.334.3125) as well as just walk in during their open hours (see website link above). If you would like to use the Writing Center online facilities, please understand that they are limited, so the consultants would appreciate it if you made an appointment in advance. For the 2012 fall semester, the Writing Center opens on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 9 am.

Accommodations

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 Accessibility Resources and 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: .

Technology Policy

I will not allow laptops in the classroom unless you have written permission from the Dean of Students. I believe our most successful work will be produced through class discussion in which we are all actively engaged face-to-face. Absolutely no text messaging or cell phone calls allowed during class. If I catch you on your phone, I reserve the right to count you absent from class.

II. Course Schedule:

(Subject to Change)

WEEK 1

Focus: Introduction to Narrative

1.12 (M):Intros and Syllabus

In Class Reading and discussion of Wolff, “Bullet in the Brain”

1.14 (W): Lenses: Browning and Scudder, “To read is to write”

40 SS: Baldwin, “Sonny’s Blues”

1.16 (F):Lenses: Brown, “Short Prose”

40 SS: O’ Connor, “A Good Man is Hard to Find”

WEEK 2

Focus: Point of view

1.19 (M): No Class/ MLK holiday

1.21 (W): Hawkins, “Point of View”

40 SS: Carver, “Cathedral”

1.23 (F): BB: Welty, “Why I live at the P.O”

WEEK 3

Focus: Setting, Atmosphere and Mood

1.26 (M):40 SS: Hemmingway, “Hills Like White Elephants”

1.28 (W): Lenses: Lee, “Setting, Atmosphere, and Mood”

40 SS: Updike, “A+P”

1.30 (F):40 SS: Jackson, “The Lottery”

WEEK 4

Focus: Style, Voice and Tone

2.2 (M):Lenses: Hartnett, “Style, Voice and Tone”

BB: Poe, “The Telltale Heart”

2.4 (W): 40 SS: Welty, “A Worn Path”

2.6 (F):Introduction to Narrative Assignment

In Class Brainstorming

WEEK 5

Focus: The Bildungsroman story

2.9 (M):Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

2.11 (W):Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

2.13 (F):Narrative Assignment due in class

Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

WEEK 6

Focus: Gendered identities

2.16 (M): Lenses: Hart, “Feminist Theory”

40 SS: Gilman, “The Yellow Wallpaper”

2.18 (W):40 SS: Faulkner, “A Rose for Emily”

2.20 (F): BB: Dubus, “The Fat Girl”

WEEK 7

Focus: Midterm

2.23 (M):BB: Jones, “Good Girl”

2.25 (W): Midterm Review (Class Optional)

2.27 (F):MIDTERM

WEEK 8

Focus: Racial identities

3.2 (M):Lenses: Butler, “Postcolonial Theory”

40 SS: Walker, “Everyday Use”

3.5 (W):BB: Ellison, Invisible Man

Prologue and Chapter 1

3.7 (F):BB: Packer, “Brownies”

*Last day to drop class without penalty

WEEK 9: Spring Break/ No class

WEEK 10

Focus: Constructions of beauty

3. 16 (M): Morrison, The Bluest Eye

3.18 (W): Morrison, The Bluest Eye

3.20 (F): Morrison, The Bluest Eye

Introduction to close reading assignment

WEEK 11

Focus: Socioeconomic identities

3. 23 (M):Morrison, The Bluest Eye

Peer Workshop

3.25 (W):BB: O’Connor: “Good Country People”

3.27 (F):Close Reading due

WEEK 12

Focus: Sexual identities

3.30 (M):Lenses: Hart, “Queer Theory”

BB: Naylor, “The Two”

4.1 (W): BB: Leavitt, “Territory”

4.3 (F):Spring holiday/ No class

WEEK 13

Focus: Nationality

4.6 (M):In Class Library day

Meet in CITI lab

4.8 (W):BB: Anzaldua, “How to tame a Wild Tongue”

4.10 (F):Diaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

WEEK 14

Focus: Constructions of masculinity

4.13 (M):Library Assignment Due

Diaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

4.15 (W):Diaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

4.17 (F): Diaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

WEEK 15

Focus: Other forms of Narrative

4.20 (M):BB: Morrison, “Nobel Prize lecture”

4.22 (W):BB: Prose Poetry packet

4.24 (F):BB: Cunningham, “Why Women Smile”

BB: Laymon, “How to slowly kill yourself and others in America”

WEEK 16

Focus: Wrapping up

4.27 (M): TBD

4.28 (T): Peer Workshop for final paper

FINAL EXAM

5.6 (W): Final Paper Due

10 AM