ENG 2213.008 (23473): MWF10:00-10:50, HSS 2.02.04

ENG 2213.009 (24343): MWF 11:00-11:50, HSS 3.04.12

Revised 2/19/2010

ENG 2213.008/009 Literary Criticism and Analysis

Syllabus – Spring 2010

Instructor: Elaine WongEmail:

Office Location: MB 2.306EOffice Phone: 458-7884

Office Hours: MW 8:45–9:45a.m., and by appointment

Required Texts

Booth, Alison, J. Paul Hunter, and Kelly J. Mays, eds. The Norton Introduction to Literature. Portable Edition.New YorkLondon: W. W. Norton, 2006. ISBN: 0-393-92856-X.

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Critical Edition. New YorkLondon: W. W. Norton, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-393-93219-5.

Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. Critical Edition. New YorkLondon: W. W. Norton, 2005. ISBN: 0-393-92636-2.

Course Description

ENG 2213 provides a study of poetry, fiction, and drama, with close attention to literary terms, literary criticism, and the characteristics of each genre. This course includes intensive reading and extensive writing requirements and is designed to prepare students who intend to take advanced courses in literature and other students who have a commitment to the rigorous study of literature.

-- adapted from UTSA 2008-2010 Undergraduate Catalogue.

Learning Objectives

This course facilitates students to

  1. cultivatecritical understandingsof literature,
  2. obtain sound and basic knowledge of major literary genres and theories,
  3. strengthen close reading, analytical, and research skills, and
  4. develop coherent and cogent presentation of ideas in writing and speech.

Class Policy

  1. Observe Scholastic Integrity: Scholastic integrity is of utmost importance in the academic community. Everyone does his/her own work to achieve educational and personal developments. No plagiarism, collusion, or other forms of scholastic dishonesty will be tolerated in this course.

According to the Student Code of Conduct, “‘Plagiarism’ includes, but is not limited to, the appropriation, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the submission of it as one’s own academic work offered for credit” while “‘Collusion’ includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing academic assignments offered for credit or collaboration with another person to commit a violation of any section of the rules on scholastic dishonesty.” Scholastic dishonesty will result in automatic failure in the course and possible dismissal by UTSA. See Section 203 of the Code for UTSA’s policy on scholastic dishonesty.

  1. Classroom Etiquette: Be a considerate class participant. Arrive on time. Turn off all electronic devices before class begins, including mobile phones, pagers, PDAs, laptops, and others. As the class requires all students’ constant and active engagement, please refrain from using laptops. Bring your own textbooks and handouts. Be attentive and participate in class.

“As members of the University community, students share in the obligation to maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. Accordingly, students are prohibited from engaging in any behavior that obstructs, disrupts, or interferes with any class. Inappropriate behavior in the classroom may result, at a minimum, in a request to leave class. Such behavior also violates the Student Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.” (Source: Student Judicial Affairs, UTSA)

  1. Absence Policy: Each student can have one excused absence and one unexcused absence not reflected in his/her grade during the semester. For each subsequent absence, whether excused or unexcused, 1% will be deducted from the 10% attendance grade.

Excused absences include sicknesses with doctor’s notes, mandatory attendances at University functions with documentation, and other documented emergencies. All other absences fall into the “unexcused” category. Notify me of foreseeable absences beforehand and emergencies asap via email or on Blackboard.

Occasional late arrivals in class can be excused; however, habitual tardiness will lead to a deduction in the attendance grade.

Each repeated failure in bringing texts/handouts will be treated as an unexcused absence.

  1. Late Policy for Assignments: All assignments are expected to be turned in on time. If you experience difficulties in meeting deadlines, let me know asap—not on the due date or the evening before—and we can arrange an extension. However, if a student displays habitual procrastination, no extension will be given. Any late submissions without extension will result in the deduction of 1/3 of a letter grade or 3 points in a 100-point scale for each calendar day.
  2. Format of Written Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, type all take-home written assignments and follow MLA formatting and documentation styles. MLA formatting: 12-point Times New Roman, doubled-spaced, one-inch margin on all sides. Put your last name and page number on the right side of the header. MLA documentation: see Blackboard. All written assignments should at least reach the minimum word limit. Failing to do so will lead to grade deduction.
  3. Achieve Progress: You are expected to learn from your work and improve as the course proceeds. I am more than happy to discuss your work in this class and answer any questions during office hours, by appointment, on Blackboard, and via email.
  4. Services for Disabilities: This course provides accommodation for students with disabilities who are registered with the Office of Disability Services and receive an accommodation letter from the Office.

Grading Policy

Attendance 10%

Class Preparation & Participation 10%

Dialectic JournalsMicroanalyses 16%

3 Written Analyses (w/ Writing Journals) 21%

Oral Presentation & Annotated Bibliography 8%

Mid-term Exam 10%

Research Paper 15%

Final Exam 10%

Total 100%

  1. Attendance (10%): See page 2 for absence policy.
  2. Class Preparation & Participation (10%): In every class, I expect you to contribute to constructive discussion while respecting other people’s views. Always read the texts to be discussed and come prepared, and participate actively in all class activities. Grades for in-class assignments and possible pop quizzes will also be incorporated.
  3. Dialectic Journals, Microanalyses, & Blackboard Discussion (16%):Dialectic Journal (DJ)—an informal but thoughtful response to the readings to be covered in that week. See further instructions on Blackboard. Microanalyses—a one-page (300 words) analysis of one or two poems focusing on a specific aspect, such as language use and tone. Blackboard Discussion—follow-up discussion for King Lear performance. Each student will post a comment (250-300 words) on Blackboard and respond to three other comments.
  4. Written Analyses with Writing Journals—Blackboardsubmission (21%): Youwill write one analysis (900-1,500 words) for each of the following genre: poetry, drama, and fiction.Discuss technical details as comprehensively as possible and incorporate your own critical view. Refer to the guidelines for the analysis of each genre on Blackboardfor texts to be chosen and genre-specific requirements. All written analyses must follow the MLA style in format and documentation. Secondary sources can be used and should be properly documented when used, but are not required. Appenda ½- to 1-page journal to your analysis and let me know how you feel about the writing exercise, especially if you have encountered any difficulties.I strongly encourage you to finish the draft early and consult a tutor at the Writing Centre (HSS 2.02.22, before submission.
  5. Oral Presentation& Annotated Bibliography(8%):You will select an article from a reading list on Blackboard and work out your own annotated bibliography (see guidelines on Blackboard). You will then work with another student who read the same article and give a 10- to 15-minute presentation on the article.At the presentation, give a brief summary of the article, discuss the author’s position and argument, and state your team’s position (whether you agree or disagree with the author; any disagreement among yourselves) using some of the texts we read as examples.You are encouraged to use multimodal components, such as Powerpointand handouts. Missed presentations cannot be made up for unless due to emergencies.
  6. Mid-term Exam (10%): A short exam on literary terms and their applications.
  7. Research Paper—Blackboard and hard-copy submissions(15%): You will integrate the knowledge and skills learned in this class in writing a 2,000- to 3,000-word research paper (approx. 7-10 pages excluding works cited page)toward the end of the semester. You may develop your own topic or follow one of the set prompts. The research paper should include at least four secondary sources, two of which must be print-based. Full documentationin MLA style is required. Other details will be provided in the instructions and guidelines on Blackboard.
  8. Final Exam (10%):A 2.5-hour exam in essay format covering all of the texts and literary terms/devices discussed in this course.

Final Grade Distribution

A 90% – 100%

B 80% – 89%

C 70% – 79%

D 60% – 69%

F 59% and below

Course Outline(subject to changes)

Texts/handouts/guidelines with an asterisk (*): to be printed via Blackboard.

Those with two asterisks (**): to be printed via Blackboard E-Reserve.

Those with a pound sign (#): to be distributed in class.

Week 1
Date / Topic / Texts (to be read before class) / Assignment due
1/11 / Introduction / - / -
1/13 / What is literature and how to do literary studies? / “Introduction.” Norton 1-10. / -
1/15 / Poetry: introduction / Norton 398-401, 403-410 (from “Responding”).
Archibald MacLeish. “Ars Poetica.” Norton 558. / -
Week 2
1/18 / NO CLASS—Martin Luther King Day.
1/20 / Poetry: speaker / Norton 431-32.
Gwendolyn Brooks. “We Real Cool.” Norton 444.
Sylvia Plath. “Morning Song.” Norton 460-61.
Emily Dickinson. [I dwell in Possibility—] Norton 471.
Paul Dunbar. “We Wear the Mask.” Norton 582.
William Blake. “The Lamb.” Norton 573.
---. “The Tyger.” Norton 573-74. / Personal guidelines & response
1/22 / Poetry: tone / Norton 416-19, 421-22 (from “Hard Rock Returns to Prison”).
Robert Hayden. “Those Winter Sundays.” Norton 427.
Robert Frost. “The Road Not Taken.” Norton 584. / -
Week 3
1/25 / Poetry: tone / Walt Whitman. “I Hear America Singing.” Norton 626.
John Keats. “Ode to a Nightingale.” Norton 595.
#Langston Hughes. “Theme for English B.” / DJ1(choose texts from 1/25 & 1/27)
1/27 / Poetry: situation & setting / Norton 446, 450-51 (from “The Flea”).
Andrew Marvell. “To His Coy Mistress.” Norton 456-58.
Wallace Stevens. “The Emperor of Ice-Cream.” Norton 614. / -
1/29 / Poetry: language / Norton 465-71, 475-77 (”Picturing”).
William Carlos Williams. “The Red Wheelbarrow.” Norton 472.
Ezra Pound. “In a Station of the Metro.” Norton 610. / -
Week 4
2/1 / Poetry: language / Norton 481-85, 490-96 (“Symbol”).
Robert Burns. “A Red, Red Rose.” Norton 484.
*Handout: Poetry Terms. / Microanalysis 1
2/3 / Poetry: sound / Norton 501-04.
Ezra Pound. “The River-Merchant’s Wife: A Letter.” Norton 402.
Ted Hughes. “To Paint a Water Lily.” Norton 478-49.
Galway Kinnell. “Blackberry Eating.” Norton 599.
Emily Dickinson. [A narrow Fellow in the Grass] Norton 517-18.
*Handout: Poetry Terms. / -
2/5 / Poetry: sound / Norton 512-13 (“Scanning”).
Samuel Taylor Coleridge. “Metrical Feet.” Norton 509.
Robert Frost. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Norton 584-85. / -
Week 5
2/8 / Poetry:
Internal structure / Norton 520-31.
Percy Bysshe Shelley. “Ode to the West Wind.” Norton 535-37. / Microanalysis 2
2/10 / Poetry:
Internal structure / Wallace Stevens. “Sunday Morning.” Norton 615-18.
#Barbara Hamby. “The Mockingbird Invents Writing.” / -
2/12 / Poetry:
External form / Norton 540-46.
Emma Lazarus. “The New Colossus.” Norton 548.
John Milton. [When I consider how my light is spent] Norton 550.
William Shakespeare. [My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun] Norton 552-53.
Billy Collins. “Sonnet.” Norton 553.
W.B. Yeats. “Leda and the Swan.” Norton 633.
Week 6
2/15 / Poetry:
External form / Norton 553-58.
#John Hollander. “By the Sound.” / -
2/17 / Mid-term exam / - / -
2/19 / Writing: How to write an analysis? / *Guidelines for Poetry Analysis.
**Illustrative Essay. / -
Week 7
2/22 / Poetry: The visual / e. e. Cummings. [In Just-] Norton 473-74.
Visually-oriented poetry packet. / -
2/24 / Poetry: The visual / Visually-oriented poetry packet. / Poetry Analysis
2/26 / Poetry: The visual / Visually-oriented poetry packet. / -
Week 8
3/1 / Drama / Norton667-75 (“Elements of Drama”).
Anton Chekhov. “The Cherry Orchard” ActI.Norton 783-96. / DJ2
3/3 / Drama / Anton Chekhov. “The Cherry Orchard” Acts II & III. Norton 796-823. / -
3/5 / Drama / Screening of “The Cherry Orchard” film version. / -
Week 9
3/8 / Drama / Anton Chekhov. “The Cherry Orchard” full text. Norton 783-823. / -
3/10 / Fiction: The basics / Norton 57-62, 106-08, 119-23, 165-66.
Kate Chopin. “The Story of an Hour.” Norton 314-15.
Angela Carter. “A Souvenir of Japan.” Norton 217-23. / -
3/12 / Fiction: Intro. to Heart of Darkness / **Ross C. Murfin. “Introduction: Biographical and Historical Contexts.” / Drama Analysis
Week 10 NO CLASS—Spring Break.
Week 11
3/22 / Fiction: Heart of Darkness / Heart of Darkness full text 3-77. / DJ3: Heart of Darkness
3/24 / Fiction: Heart of Darkness / Heart of Darkness full text 3-77. / -
3/26 / Fiction: Heart of Darkness / Heart of Darkness full text 3-77. / -
Week 12
3/29 / Writing:
How to write a research paper on literature? / Norton 1144-74.
Sample research paper. Norton 1175-86.
* Instructions for research paper.
* Guidelines for research paper. / -
3/31 / Fiction: Things Fall Apart / Things Fall Apart Chs. 1-12. / DJ4: Things Fall Apart
4/2 / Fiction: Things Fall Apart / Things Fall Apart Chs. 13-25. / -
Week 13
4/5 / Fiction: Things Fall Apart / Things Fall Apartfull text. / Fiction Analysis
4/7 / Fiction: Heart of DarknessThings Fall Apart / Heart of DarknessThings Fall Apart full texts. / Research paper – topic & thesis
4/9 / Theory: Introduction / Norton 1190-91, 1203-04.
*Handout: Introduction to Theory. / -
Week 14
4/12 / Theory in texts: Readers & reading / ** Bennett & Royle. “Readers and Reading.”
*Handout: Branches of Theory. / Research Paper – outline & sources
4/14 / Theory in texts: Text & world / ** Bennett & Royle. “The Text and the World.” / -
4/16 / NO CLASS—Library research day.
Week 15
4/19 / Theory in texts: Ideological criticism / Norton 1204-06 (“Historical and Ideological Criticism).
** Michael Ryan. “Political Criticism: From Marxism to Cultural Materialism.” / Research Paper – 1st 4 Pages
4/21 / Theory in texts: Sexual difference / ** Bennett & Royle. “Sexual Difference.”
Charlotte Perkins Gilman. “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Norton 316-27. / -
4/23 / Theory in texts: Performative / ** Bennett & Royle. “The Performative.”
Sylvia Plath. “Daddy.” Norton 605-07. / -
Week 16
4/26 / Theory in texts: Ecocriticism / # Charles Johnson. “Dr. King’s Refrigerator.”
# Leslie Silko. “Preparations.”
# Gary Snyder. “As for Poets.” / -
4/28 / Course review / * Guidelines for Final Exam. / Research Paper Final Draft

FINAL EXAM

ENG 2213.008 (MWF 10:00-10:50) - May 5 (Wednesday), 7:30-10:00 a.m.

ENG 2213.009 (MWF 11:00-11:50) - May 3 (Monday), 1:30-4:00 p.m.

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