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ENG 105-10: Introduction to Narrative
The Movement of Narrative/Narratives of Movement
Fall 2012
T/TR 9:30 am - 10:45 am
BRYN 121
Instructor: Erin Houlihan Wedehase
Office: Moore Humanities Building, Room 3112 #B
Office Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 1:45 - 2:45 and by appointment
Office Phone: 334-5837 (This phone is for the entire TA office)
Email: (I check my email once a day, so please allow 24 hours for response time)
Course Description:
In this course we will read a variety of literary forms including sketches, short stories, poems, plays, and novels from foundational authors to explore important issues about narrative and its relationship to movement. These texts will span a broad range of historical/cultural contexts and deal with all types of movement such as travel, tourism, migration, quests, and journeys. Ultimately, we will work towards answering the question, how does the desire to tell about (e)motion influence narrative techniques and how does narrative enable us to represent moments of movement?
To analyze these texts, we will learn how to define and identify elements of narrative such as: character, plot, temporality, narrativity, narrative cohesion, and narrator. As we study narrative discourse, we will ask the following questions: What constitutes narrative? What is narrative movement and must narrative always be in motion? How do narratives change as they move from author to text to reader? How do characteristics of narrative shape narratives?
Learning Goals:
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
• Identify and understand varied characteristics of literature;
• Apply techniques of literary analysis to texts;
• Use literary study to develop skills in careful reading and clear writing;
• Demonstrate understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts in which literary texts have been written and interpreted.
Required Texts:
1. Abbot, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. 2nd ed. New York: Cambridge UP, 2008. Print.
ISBN: 978-0-521-71515-7
2. Díaz, Junot. The Brief Wonderful Life of Oscar Wao. New York: Riverhead, 2007. Print.
ISBN: 978-1-59448-329-5 (Can also be purchased as an e-book)
3. Gibson, Scott Thomas, Tammy Lancaster, and Summar Sparks, eds. Lenses: Perspectives on Literatures. Plymouth, MI: Hayden-McNeil, 2012. Print.
ISBN: 978-0-7380-5105-5
4. Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: Harper Collins, 2006. Print.
ISBN: 978-0-0608-3867-6 (Can also be purchased as an e-book)
5. Jewett, Sarah Orne. The Country of the Pointed Firs and Other Stories. New York: Norton, 1981. Print.
ISBN: 9780393311373 (This is also in the public domain and can be found for free online)
6. Various texts on Blackboard. I am alright with you bringing laptops, e-readers and tablets to class for the online materials. However, if these tools become a distraction or I see people spending more time on Facebook than the course readings, you will have to start bringing your readings as hard copies.
Policies and Procedures
Attendance Policy (Per English Department Regulations):
• Students in Tuesday/Thursday classes are allowed a maximum of three absences without a grade penalty. After three absences, I will deduct half a letter grade from your final grade for each absence (my policy).
• Students who miss six classes on a T/TR schedule will fail the course.
• 3 late arrivals will count as an absence (my own policy)
• You are, by state law, allowed two excused absences due to religious holidays, which
do not count toward your total allowed three absences. If you plan to miss class because
of your faith, you must notify me in advance of your absence.
Late Work Policy: I do not accept late work unless you speak to me at least 24 hours in advance. Please do not assume that just because you speak to me that your late work will be accepted. I accept late work only in dire situations.
Online/Technology Requirements:
• Active I-Spartan Email Address
• Blackboard Account
Academic Integrity: Because much of this course is designed to help you facilitate your own thoughts and ideas, plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated.
“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. If a student is caught borrowing someone else’s ideas without proper documentation, falsifying information, or cheating, the results will be a zero for the assignment, a drastic reduction in the final course grade or referral to campus authorities based on the severity of the violation of academic integrity and the overall value of the assignment to the final grade.
Adverse weather policy: You can get information about campus closings/delays from the following sources:
• UNCG home page (www.uncg.edu)
• Campus Switchboard (336-334-5000)
• UNCG Adverse Weather Line (336-334-4400)
• University Police (336-334-5963)
• Triad TV stations: WGHP-TV (FOX 8), WFMY-TV (News 2), WXII-TV (News Channel 12) and WUPN-TV (UPN 45).
The Writing & Speaking Centers, 3211 MHRA: The Writing Center (http://www.uncg.edu/eng/writingcenter, 334-3282) is a resource available for students who want additional feedback on written work above and beyond your peer workshops and individual conferences with me. They can help with any stage of the writing process, from finding a topic, research, revisions, to final editing. Online services are also available.
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9am – 8pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Sunday 5pm - 8pm
Phone: 334-3125
Disability/Learning Difference Services: 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 Disability 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: .
Classroom Community: I want our ENG 105 class to be a safe and friendly space where everyone can learn about literature without fear of harsh critique. We all have similar struggles with literary analysis, speaking in class, and writing. You should view each other (and me) as a support system that can help you meet your course goals. Please make an appointment to come see me if you find yourself struggling with the class as soon as possible. Do not wait until you fall behind in your studies.
Distraction Policy: Distractions should be minimized to make the most out of our limited time. In other words, please silence cell phones and refrain from texting to avoid distracting other students.
Additional Resources:
►Counseling and Testing Center: 336-334-5874
►Student Academic Services: 334-5730
►Student Success Center: 334-7533
Grade Calculation
Midterm Exam: ------20%
Final Exam:------20%
Quizzes:------20%
Short Responses (2) ------20%
Participation------20%
______
Total: 100%
Exams and Quizzes:
•The midterm exam will focus on identification of literary terms and several short essays that will test your ability to apply the terminology to texts discussed in class. The purpose of this exam is to establish a vocabulary that will facilitate class discussion when we get to the last two novels.
•The final exam will consist of essay questions about the last two novels. It will ask you to put the works in dialogue with each other, demonstrating a broad understanding of narrative's overarching concepts and historical contexts.
•Plan on approximately 8 - 10 quizzes during the course of the semester. They are usually 5 questions and are meant to test your knowledge of the assigned reading. They may be announced or unannounced.
Short Response
• You will write two (2) short analyses on texts of your choice from this semester's readings. These responses should be 3 – 4 pages in length although they can be longer if you wish. In these analyses, you will pick a narrative technique either discussed in The Cambridge Introduction or Lenses and explain how you see this technique bringing meaning to the chosen text. Essentially, you will want to think about: 1) how the author uses the technique 2) why the author might have chosen to use this technique and 3) how might this text be different if the author had not chosen to work with this narrative technique.
• At least one response must be submitted before the date of the midterm (10/4/12). If I do not have at least one response from you by this date, you will receive a zero for the assignment. This is to ensure that you will have time to incorporate feedback from your first response into your second and that I will not have an unmanageable amount of essays to grade at the end of the semester. You may submit both responses before the midterm date if you like to hand things in early.
• Responses need to be handed in at the beginning of class on the day we discuss your chosen text.
• You might want to bring an extra copy of your short response to class for yourself because I will likely start the day's discussion by asking you to briefly explain your analysis.
• Do not use outside sources for this assignment. I am asking you to generate your own ideas and analysis for these responses.
• Please see the guidelines on BB for more specific direction.
• Plagiarism for this assignment will not be tolerated.
Participation:
I only lecture infrequently to convey historical context or biographical information for the authors. Most of our class time will be devoted to discussion, either in small groups or as a class. When grading you for participation, I take into account your small group and large group activity. Please make every effort to contribute to the discussions. I don't care if what you say sounds ridiculous. We will sort it out as a class and chances are, your ideas might not be as ridiculous as you think. We have all been through painful classes where no one talks. I will do my best to prevent this from being one of them.
Grade Scale for Class Participation:
A: Student arrives on time with required books, demonstrates knowledge of material, and consistently contributes insightful comments that further class discussion. Contribution to discussion will be evaluated both for general class and small-group discussion.
B: Student occasionally contributes meaningful thoughts to discussion. Student may arrive late once or twice.
C: Student is aware of material being discussed but rarely contributes to the general conversation. Student may arrive late a few times and not bring materials to class every so often.
D: Student is occupying a seat in the class, but not paying attention. Student is uninformed about the day's discussion and more interested in Facebook than the course material. Student has a problem arriving on time and/or frequently forgets reading materials.
F: Student is catatonic. I will consider asking medics to check the student for pulse/signs of life.
Course Calendar
This calendar is subject to modification. Please check your email or Blackboard for changes. Readings must be completed by the date on the syllabus.
Codes:
BB = Blackboard
COTPF = The Country of the Pointed Firs
TEWWG = Their Eyes Were Watching God
OW = The Brief Wonderful Life of Oscar Wao
CI = Cambridge Introduction to Narrative
Lenses = Lenses: Perspectives on Literature
Week One: What Is a Narrative?
Tuesday, 8/21/12 : Review syllabus, introductions, and in-class exercise on narrative
Thursday, 8/23/12: "Defining Narrative" pgs. 13-27 (CI); "If on a winter's night a traveler" by Italo Calvino (BB)
Week Two: Narrative Coherence
Tuesday, 8/28/12: "The Outer Limits of Narrative" pgs. 31-32 (CI); "The Letter Scene" by Susan Sontag (BB)
Thursday, 8/30/12: pgs. 1 - 28 (COTPF) GROUP ONE;
pgs. 28 - 79 (COTPF) GROUP TWO
Week Three: Narrative Arrangement, Setting, and Context
Tuesday, 9/4/12: pgs. 28 - 79 (COTPF) GROUP ONE;
pgs. 1 - 28 (COTPF) GROUP TWO;
pgs. 95 - 104 (Lenses) BOTH
Thursday, 9/6/12: pgs. 79 - end (COTPF) BOTH GROUPS
Week Four: Causation and Normalization
Tuesday, 9/11/12: pgs. 40 - 46 (CI); "The Plagues" by Moacyr Scliar (BB)
Thursday, 9/13/12: "How Celia Changed Her Mind" by Rose Terry Cooke (BB)
Week Five: Narrative Temporality
Tuesday, 9/18/12: "Narrative and Life" pgs. 1-12 (CI); "On Being Crazy" by W.E.B. Du Bois (BB)
Thursday, 9/20/12: "Journey Back to the Source" by Alejo Carpentier (BB)
Week Six: Masterplots
Tuesday, 9/25/12: pgs. 107 - 112 (Lenses); "The Goophered Grapevine" by Charles Chesnutt (BB)
Thursday, 9/27/12: "My Kinsmen, Major Molineax" by Nathaniel Hawthorne (BB); pgs. 46 - 49 (CI)
Week Seven: Closure and Conflict
Tuesday, 10/2/12: Review for Midterm
Thursday, 10/4/12: Midterm Exam
Week Eight: The Framing Narrative
Tuesday, 10/9/12: pgs. 55 - 66 (CI); "The Doll Queen" by Carlos Fuentes (BB)
Thursday, 10/11/12: Chapters 1 - 5 (TEWWG); Reminder: 10/12/12 is the last day to drop the course without a grade penalty.
Week Nine: Dialect and Voice
Tuesday, 10/16/12: NO CLASS. FALL BREAK.
Thursday, 10/18/12: Chapters 6 - 13 (TEWWG)
Week Ten: Flat and Rounded Characters
Tuesday, 10/23/12: Chapters 14 - end (TEWWG)
Thursday, 10/25/12: "Narration on Stage and Screen" pgs. 79 - 80 (CI); TEWWG Movie (watch in class)
Week Eleven: Genres, Poetry and Drama
Tuesday, 10/30/12: "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot (BB); 25 - 30 (Lenses)
Thursday, 11/1/12: "The Zoo Story" by Edward Albee (BB); pgs. 30 - 35 (Lenses)
Week Twelve: Intertextual Dialogues
Tuesday, 11/6/12: Last day to hand in short responses. "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" by Ernest Hemingway (BB)
Thursday, 11/8/12: pgs. 1-50 (OW)
Week Thirteen: The Silent Eponymous Hero
Tuesday, 11/13/12: pgs. 51-119(OW )
Thursday, 11/15/12: pgs. 119-201 (OW)
Week Fourteen: Unreliable Narrators
Tuesday, 11/20/12: pgs. 201-261 (OW)
Thursday, 11/22/12: NO CLASS. EAT TURKEY. OR TOFURKEY.
Week Fifteen: Putting It All Together: Poor Oscar?
Tuesday, 11/27/12: pgs. 261-end (OW)
Thursday, 11/29/12: Review for Final Exam
Final Exam:
Thursday, 12/6/12: 8 am - 11 am