English 2110, Introduction to Literature
Northwestern State University
Monday-Friday Rm. 228
Instructor: Gray Haynes
Office Location & Office Hours: Rm. 228 7:50-1:00
Phone & Email: gray.haynes@websterpsb.org
Course Description: This course introduces students to literature in various forms and genres and has an extensive writing component.
Student Learning Outcomes: Students who complete this course will be able to:
• Demonstrate reading comprehension of complex texts in two different literary genres (selected from fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama).
• Recognize and apply the discipline-specific terminology and skill set necessary for the critical analysis of literary texts.
• Construct evidence-based interpretations of literary texts that communicate their ideas effectively in written English.
• Discuss the various contexts in which diverse literary texts are generated and evaluate differing perspectives in formulating their ideas about texts.
Text:
Literature: A Portable Anthology, 4th ed. (Macmillan, 2016). ISBN 9781319147075.
Calculation of Grades:
Two major papers will comprise 40% of your grade. You will have two tests plus a final. The two tests will comprise 15% each and the final will be 20% of your grade. You will also have several quizzes throughout the semester that will account for 10% of your grade.
Paper 1 200 pts
Paper 2 200 pts
Test 1 150 pts
Test 2 150 pts
Quizzes 100 total pts
Final 200 pts
Reminder: You will need a “C” or better to pass a general course such as this
Late Work Policy: In order to pass this course, all major assignments must be submitted. Even if your course average is passing, you must turn in both papers and complete all three tests to be considered for passing this course.
Late work will not be accepted without a doctor’s note. You are welcome to email an assignment if you are ill, but the assignment must be submitted by 10:00 AM on the due date.
Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is required to pass this course. Major illnesses with a doctor’s note will be considered on a case-by-case basis. (5) non-excused absences will be grounds for dismissal from this course.
Disability Policy
It is the policy of NSU to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the University's commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student with a disability who needs accommodation, for example, in seating placement, in arrangements for examinations or other disability-related issues, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support: 234 Friedman Student Union; 318-357-4460.
Academic Honor Code
Academic dishonesty is defined as the following: 1) acquiring or using a published test bank, 2) copying from another student’s test, paper or computer file, 3) using unauthorized materials during a test, 4) collaborating during a test with any other person by giving or receiving information without authority, 5) stealing, buying, or otherwise obtaining non-administered or unauthorized tests, 6) selling or giving away non-administered or unauthorized tests, 7) bribing anyone to obtain information about a test, 8) substituting for another student or permitting another person to substitute for oneself to take a test, 9) submitting as your own, in fulfillment of academic requirements, any work prepared totally or in part by another, 10) supplying to another student any theme, report, or other work for use in fulfilling academic requirements, 11) plagiarism, defined as the use of another person’s work and the unacknowledged incorporations of that work in one’s own work that is offered for credit, and 12) duplicity, defined as offering for credit identical or substantially unchanged work in two or more courses without approval.
Academic dishonesty will result in one of the following disciplinary measures to be decided by the course instructor: 1) verbal/written warning, 2) conference with department chair or dean, 3) reduction of test/course grade to an “F”. A student may subsequently be referred to Student Conduct and be placed on probation, suspended, expelled or forced to withdraw from Northwestern as a result of academic dishonesty. Refer to the section in the Student Handbook concerning Academic Infractions and Sanctions for Academic Misconduct.
Classroom Civility Statement
Northwestern State University students, staff, and faculty are expected to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, personal dignity, mutual respect, and
individual responsibility in both face-to-face and electronic educational settings regardless of the content of the ideas and opinions being shared. Ideas and opinions that are controversial or in opposition to others are welcomed in the NSU environment, and this policy shall not be used to prohibit the sharing of controversial or unpopular ideas or opinions but merely to call for civility when idea and opinion sharing.
All members of the NSU community have the right to a safe environment free of disturbances and civil in all aspects of human relations. Whether in a face-to-face or online classroom, students who engage in disruptive or abusive discourse or actions may be removed from the class and subject to disciplinary sanctions. In on-campus classrooms, students who speak at inappropriate times, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late or leaving early, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or other noise-making devices, wear headphones, are distracted with computers or other electronic devices, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others during the class period may be removed from the class and may be subject to disciplinary action under the Northwestern State University Student Code of Conduct (Articles IV Infractions and VII Sanctions).
The instructor of a course may deem additional behaviors or actions inappropriate; these actions or behaviors will be outlined in the course syllabus. Copies of infractions and sanctions are available on the NSU website at https://www.nsula.edu/studenthandbook/.
Title IX Statement
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Title IX protects students, employees, applicants for admission and employment, and other persons from all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity. All students (as well as other persons) at recipient institutions are protected by Title IX—regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, part- or full-time status, disability, race, or national origin— in all aspects of a recipient’s educational programs and activities.
NSU is committed to eliminating sexual misconduct in our community, advocating for students who have experienced sexual assault or harassment, and respecting the legal rights of both complainants and respondents. For information about reporting, assistance, and policy & procedure see Sex Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct section in Student Handbook. For information about conduct infractions and sanctions see Articles IV and VII of the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook: https://www.nsula.edu/studenthandbook/.
For more information, please contact student Title IX Coordinator, Frances Conine, NSU Dean of Students: coninef@nsula.edu, (318) 357-5286, Friedman Student Union room 309.
For more information see the NSU: Not Alone webpage: https://www.nsula.edu/blog/2015/07/16/notalone/
2nd semester class schedule
Week 1 (Feb. 10)-Edgar Allen Poe The Masque of the Red Death; The Fall of the House of Usher; The Raven; Annabel Lee an analyzation of symbolism, rhythm in poetry, and the macabre.
Due on Friday: Prepare a short, informal writing (about 2 pages) on the symbolism in Masque of the Red Death. Your focus should be on the colors of the rooms in the final scene of the story.
Week 2 (Feb. 17)- Samuel Clemens Concerning the American Language, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County a study of local color, colloquialism, and the anecdote
Week 3 (Feb. 24), Kate Chopin, A Pair of Silk Stockings, The Kiss, Beyond the Bayou a study of feminism
Week 4 (March 2)-Henry James Daisy Miller: a Study in Two Parts
Edith Wharton Bunner Sisters
Essay 1: Choose one of the following essay prompts. You will write a 4-6 page essay following all the conventions of modern writing in response to this prompt. This paper will be due at the end of week 5.
1. Has Winterbourne learned anything from his encounter with Daisy? If so, what? Is he the same person at the end as he was in the beginning? What textual evidence can you offer to demonstrate that Winterbourne either has or has not changed as a result of his encounter with Daisy Miller?
2. Why must Daisy’s life be sacrificed at the end of this story? What does this suggest about James’s feelings about life “in society” and the possibility of life outside it? Does Winterbourne bear any responsibility for Daisy's death?
3. How would this story have been different if it had been told from Daisy Miller’s point of view? How would she have described Europe, Winterbourne, Giovanelli, and the social circle in which she wanted to be included?
4. How does James discuss the notion of "innocence" in "Daisy Miller"? Who is innocent, and what does this mean? Is being innocent a virtue, a vice, or something else?
Monday April 27-Begin reading Catcher in the Rye. You will have no trouble finding a free version online or if you have it available, you can read the print version. Your paper over Daisy Miller will be due on Tuesday April 28 by midnight. You should email that paper to me. For Catcher, you will write your final paper to be due on May 8 by midnight-again emailed to me. Your prompt will be as follows: Why is Catcher in the Rye considered by many as the ultimate “coming of age” novel. I will expect some of your opinion but also support from outside sources. This paper will be a minimum of 1500 words. If you have questions, as always, email me. I’m going to try to set up a discussion board on this page and post some discussion questions there. I’m also setting up an announcement page you can quickly check for announcements. It would be a good idea to check this site daily.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
