«back | General Information | Course Description | Purpose of the Course | College Learning Outcomes | Course Objectives | Policies | Assignments and Grading | Required Texts | Schedule»

ENG 200 DLB: Introduction to Literature
Spring 2012
On-Line

General Information

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I. Course Description

ENG 200 introduces literary genres and approaches to fiction, poetry, and drama. The course gives students practice in interpretive, analytical, and critical writing about literature.

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II. Purpose of the Course

This course provides reading, speaking, listening, and writing experiences designed to enhance students' awareness and appreciation of literature as an art form with social, cultural, and political significance. This course also helps students develop their ability to communicate meaningfully about literature.

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III. Learning Outcomes

IA. Use knowledge and methods of history, literature, philosophy, and theology to address enduring questions of meaning and develop a worthy vision of the human person

IIB. Comprehensively and objectively analyze and evaluate appropriate data (e.g., issues, texts, artifacts, and events) in order to develop an informed conclusion

IIF. Express ideas effectively in speech and in writing to inform, engage, and persuade their audiences

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IV. Course Objectives

By the end of the semester, students should be able to

1. read short stories, poems, and plays, paying attention to the effects of point of view, tone, and structure on their responses to the works (LO IA).
2. articulate their emotional/intellectual responses to works of literature (LO 1A, IIF).
3. demonstrate knowledge of the aesthetic elements of fiction, poetry, and drama in their discussion and written responses to specific works of literature (LO IA, IIF).
4. interpret works of literature and explain their interpretations in written analyses of works (LO 1A, IIB, IIF).

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V. Policies

1. Statement on Disabilities: If you have documented a disability with the Director of Disability Services, please discuss with me the adaptations or accommodations you require, emergency medical information, and/or special arrangements to be implemented if the building must be evacuated.

2. Statement of Emergency Response: In case of a tornado, your instructor will direct you to the nearest shelter in accordance with Lourdes College's Policy for Tornado Warnings and Tornado Warning Procedures. The nearest shelter for this course is _______________ in an area that is not exposed to windows.

In case of a fire, your instructor will help direct you to the nearest exit. Please evacuate in a calm and efficient manner. Do not use the elevator. Do not block building entrances once you are out. Also, refer to the Emergency Evacuation Procedure for Persons with Disabilities if this should apply to you.

3. Academic Honesty: Students are expected to do their own work and avoid plagiarism in any form. Turning in others' work or failing to cite source material properly will result in a zero on the assignment and may result in an F for the course. Please see the student handbook for more information (available on-line at: http://www.lourdes.edu/Portals/0/Files/CurrentStudents/StudentHandbook.pdf, pages 11-12). If you are uncertain about how to properly cite your sources, contact me for assistance (before the assignment is due).

Please note: you should not refer to summary or interpretation websites (like SparkNotes or Cliff Notes) to "get ideas." One of the objectives for this course is to learn and practice your own critical reading and analysis skills; you will not achieve this goal by using such sources as a substitute for your own thoughts. All you need refer to are the course texts and your brain.

4. Academic Grievance: If students have complaints or concerns about the course, they should meet individually with the instructor to discuss them. If issues can't be readily resolved, they should obtain an academic grievance form and follow the indicated steps: 1. meet with the faculty member; 2. meet with the faculty member's chairperson; 3. meet with the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, whose decision on the issue will be final.

5. Attendance: Class participation is vital in this course; on-line discussions are a necessary supplement to the reading and writing you will do, and the contributions of each individual are important to everyone's learning. Therefore, you should expect to access the course website several times a week, and you are responsible for keeping in contact with your group and participating in group discussions. In the event of illness or emergency, please contact your group and the instructor. You are responsible for the information discussed even if you do not participate in the discussion. Missed discussion exercises may not be made up for credit.

6. Online Decorum: Please be respectful of others' learning; one of the goals of this course is to promote productive collaboration among students, so it is important participate in your group thoughtfully and respectfully.

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VI. Assignments and Grading:

You will be assessed on assignments on a 200 point scale as follows:

* Participation includes Discussion assignments for each unit (2% per discussion), the first week orientation exercises (2%), and the topic approval exercise (2%).

Lack of participation in group discussion assignments cannot be made up. Missed assignments and tests may not be made up without prior approval of instructor due to an excused absence/issue (i.e. illness or emergency). If you are unable to contact the instructor before hand, you should contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss missed work. Late work will be docked 5% per calendar day late and will not be accepted more than 7 days late. Late final papers cannot be accepted because of the registrar's final grade deadline.

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VII. Required Texts:

Booth, Alison and Kelly J. Mays. The Norton Introduction to Literature. Shorter 10th ed. New York: Norton, 2010.

Selected additional readings available on e-Reserve and Sakai course website:

Dowling, Ellen. "The Derailment of A Streetcar Named Desire."Literature Film Quarterly, 1981; 9 (4): 233-40.

Lipari, Lisbeth. "Fearful of the written word: white fear, black writing, and Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun screenplay." Quarterly Journal of Speech, Feb2004, Vol. 90 Issue 1, 81-102.

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VIII. Schedule»

© 2011-12 Susan Shelangoskie, Ph.D.