The RSU Catalogue describes English 2313 as "A survey of significant world literature from the beginning of the written word to 1600, as evidenced in fiction, drama, essays and poetry. Includes a study of various literary genres and conventions; research techniques; critical writing exercises; and discussion." This course in World Literature surveys world literature from its beginning to approximately 1600. You will be reading a great deal and learning much about the literature—and how it relates to your life despite its age. In addition, you will learn how to research literary topics and how to respond to literature in a variety of ways. Your assignments will consist of two tests, two analytical papers of 1200-1500 words, with one requiring research, eight reading-response journal entries of 200 words or more, and on-line discussion threads that will include responses to others' comments on the literary selections. Any literature course is a heavily text-based course, so be prepared to read and reflect on what you read.
Texts and Materials
Mack,
Maynard, et al, eds. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Second
Edition. Vols. A-C. New York: Norton, 2002. Library
Materials: Materials relating to this course, including the textbooks, will
be on reserve in Stratton Taylor Library.Policies
Participation: Although this class is mostly independent study, due dates will apply and your participation in discussions is mandatory. Since one of the class requirements is such participation, please understand that your grade will be affected by lack of participation.
Late work:
Late work will lose 2% per day. No late work will be accepted more
than two weeks after the initial submission date. Examinations may not
be taken late. Threaded discussions, document shares, etc., must be posted
prior to the deadline to receive credit.
Extra credit: There will be no extra credit.
Communications and Fine Arts policy on plagiarism: Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism is representing someone else's ideas or work as your own. To avoid plagiarism, when you use someone else's data, arguments, designs, words, ideas, project, etc., you must make it clear that the work originated with someone else by citing the source. Please review the Student Code of Responsibilities and Conduct published by Rogers State University for a full discussion of "Code of Academic Conduct" and plagiarism penalties.
The contents of Web sites listed in the eCollege site for this course are not certified by Rogers State University and/or the instructor and the information may not be accurate. The sites may contain information, presentation, perceptions, and/or attitudes that are not the views of Rogers State University and/or the instructor. In addition, sites and information on sites are subject to change and/or deletion without warning. You should also know that neither Rogers State University nor the instructor of this course intends that you violate the copyright of the web page by downloading the page in its entirety or by using the information in any way that will infringe on the copyright of the person or entity which posted the page.
Course Methodology
Threaded discussions: The participation component of your grade is determined by the frequency and quality of your contributions to the threaded discussions. I expect you to participate with thoughtful, meaningful contributions in the discussions for each unit. Threaded discussions must be posted prior to the deadline to receive credit.
Exams:
You will take two tests online. Tests will be timed and open book. Both
the midterm and the final will consist of two parts: 1) "short answers,"
or brief paragraph-length commentary on the significance of specific passages,
and 2) essays making connections in theme or technique between different
works and writers. There will be one essay on the midterm and two on the
final. You will have some choice in the short answer and essay portions
of each exam: you might, for instance, select 5 of 7 short answer questions
and 1 of 3 essay options.
Papers: In two essays of 4-6 pages (1200 word minimum), you will explore in some depth a subject you choose from a list of paper topics. Papers must be typed, formatted, and have sources documented according to MLA guidelines. For one of the papers, you will be required to incorporate some minimal secondary research into the essay—i.e. you will be required to cite two or three secondary sources of quality scholarship or criticism in addition to the primary work(s) you discuss. You will be required to turn in a brief outline or topic proposal well before the paper is due.
Journals:
You will submit a minimum of eight informal essays as journal responses.
I will announce journal questions and specific requirements for them at
the beginning of each unit after the first. Note that you are required
to submit only eight of these responses. There will be at least sixteen
possible topics assigned, so you could do the first eight and have them
out of the way; or you could do one journal response every other unit;
or, if you think you "work better under pressure," you could
do the last eight responses—I do not recommend this latter approach!
These mini-essays will be graded almost exclusively on content, but they
should reflect greater care in writing style and mechanics than your contributions
in threaded discussions.
Corrections:
When I return the first formal paper to you graded, you will correct the
noted errors in grammar and mechanics for a separate "corrections"
grade. I will post detailed instructions before handing back Paper 1.
Final
grade breakdown
| Class participation (threaded discussions) |
|
| Journal responses |
|
| Paper 1 |
|
| Paper 2 |
20%
|
| Paper corrections |
|
| Midterm exam |
|
| Final exam |
|
The Bottom Line: I hope every member of this class gets an A, and I will do everything I can to make this happen. Don't get me wrong—the standards for "A" work are high, and I make no exceptions in course policies on absences, missed assignments, plagiarism, or late work. But I guarantee you have one of the most accessible instructors at Rogers State: ask for help outside of class, and I'll do my level best to deliver.