English 102 On-line Literature and Composition
June 17-August 14,
2008
Middlesex Community College Summer 2008
Professor: Dr. D. Bontatibus
Item #CRN: 2056 3 credits/3 lecture hours
Class Day & Time: On-line Class
Office: 520 Snow Hall
Voice Mail: 860-343-5802 Main # to MxCC: 860-343-5800
Office Hours: by appointment
Email:
www.commnet.edu (WebCT Vista is the primary email site.) (See email policy.)
dbontatibus@mxcc.commnet.edu (alternative email address when WebCT is down or experiencing tech issues)
Course Description
Students will learn how to develop valid interpretations of literature through careful, thoughtful reading of fiction, poetry, drama, and the essay. They will be introduced to literary terminology and the standard critical approaches. They will learn how to use various levels of source materials and also how to express clearly their views about literature in expository writing, including essays with formal research documentation. Prerequisite: grade C or better in English 101.
Required Texts
Clarke, M.B. Retellings. New York: McGraw Hill, 2004.
(A copy of the text is also on reserve at the MxCC library.)
General Objectives of the Course
Students will learn the fundamental elements of poetry, drama, fiction, and the literary essay; they will learn fundamentals of literary criticism as a means of approaching literary texts; they will learn how to incorporate both source materials and their own ideas in properly documented essays. Overall, they will increase their appreciation of literature, their skill in reading it, and their ability to convey ideas about it.
Specific Objectives/Outcomes
The student will
Reading Matter
- Read works of recognized merit in poetry, drama, fiction, and the essay, the readings to be drawn from a variety of historical eras;
- Read works of literary criticism, both primary and secondary sources;
Discovery
- Learn about the historical, social, cultural, and creative contexts that influence the writing of literature from period to period;
- Learn about the relationship between the literature and the lives of the writers;
Analysis
- Learn to interpret literature on the basis of textual evidence;
- Learn to recognize and understand the value of standard literary elements and devices within literary works;
- Learn to recognize conventional themes within and among literary works;
- Learn to distinguish between generally held and private interpretations and to accept that there may be more than one valid interpretation of a given work;
Writing
- Write formal documented essays combining personal analysis with professional analysis gathered from critical texts;
- Write examinations in acceptable prose, demonstrating a grasp of the elements listed about.
Attendance
- Attendance has a strong relationship with learning, but it is especially important in a class aimed at helping you learn. It is difficult to learn and impossible to participate when absent—even from the on-line classroom.
- Discussions and assignments that do not meet the deadlines are given a zero. Zeros affect your final grades.
Behavioral Decorum
The on-line classroom is a place of learning. To maximize learning, please do the following:
- Treat each other with respect and consideration.
- Keep up with the course work.
- Use appropriate tone and language in emails, essays, discussions, and other work. Emails, discussions, essays, etc., that do not use appropriate college-level language will result in a zero for the assignment, discussion, etc., in question. Your name will also be forwarded to the dean. In other words, no swearing, slang, text messaging abbreviations, deviations from course focus, etc.—these behaviors undermine your credibility as a participant and invalidate your work.
Assignments
All work is due on the dates indicated on the syllabus or announced by the professor. Each student is responsible for the material assigned. Those who miss deadlines will receive a zero. Zeros affect your grade.
Assignment Format
- Assignments must be word processed (Word, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font), double spaced with margins, as defined by the MLA style (Modern Language Association). Assignments must also contain Work(s) Cited and in-text citations (quotations with page/line references). For more information on the MLA format, refer to a writing handbook or the lecture notes under the “Writing” icon on home page.
- Name, instructor name, class, and date will be placed in the upper left corner of page one of essays. Page numbers will be placed in the upper right corner.
- When you upload your papers, please list it under your last name with the essay number (bontatibus 1).
- Please submit essays in Rich Text (.rtf) format.
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty
Please submit work that is original to our class and in which you are the sole author. Document your work with the MLA format. Work that violates college policy will result in an automatic zero. As stated in the catalog, “Both plagiarism and cheating are grounds for a student’s immediate dismissal from the college.”
Board of Trustees’ Policy 5.2.1
“At Middlesex Community College, we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ proscribed Conduct Policy in Section 5.2.1 of the Board of Trustees’ Policy Manual. This policy prohibits cheating on examinations, plagiarism, and other proscribed activities. Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s idea(s) or phrase(s) and representing that/those idea(s) as your own, either intentionally or unintentionally.”
Final Grades
50% Essays (Save everything.)
30% Research Essay
10% Final Exam
10% Discussion (3 graded in total), Behavioral Decorum, Misc., etc.
Final grades will be noted A through F. You may inquire, though, at any time about your grades.
Discussion Grading
Individual discussion responses per week will be graded 0-3 (3=check plus; 2=check; 1=check minus; 0=no points).
Discussion topics will open on a Monday and close on a Sunday.
At the end of the term, the discussion points will be tabulated and translated to the following letter grades.
A=9-8 pts.
· Uses complete, grammatically correct sentences (Standard English) arranged in unified, coherent paragraphs. This includes correct spelling. No text messaging language allowed in papers, emails, or discussions.
· Formulates thoughtful responses directly (on topic) and insightfully.
· Includes accurate use of literary terms.
· Quotes directly (evidence) and accurately from text using the MLA format for page and line references.
B=7-6 pts.
· Offers good responses with some evidence but does not fulfill the criteria of an “A.”
C=5-4 pts.
· Offers a response. The response needs to be more than agreeing or disagreeing with another student, repeating what another student has said, or restating what has already been stated in the lecture notes.
· The response does not meet the criteria (refer to “A”) fully, accurately, coherently, or insightfully.
D=3-2 pts.
· Attempts to discuss topic. The response does not meet the criteria (refer to “A”) fully, accurately, coherently, or insightfully.
· The response needs to be more than agreeing or disagreeing with another student, repeating what another student has said, or restating what has already been stated in the lecture notes.
F=1-0 pts.
· Fails to participate altogether or in a meaningful, coherent way.
· Use of slang, inappropriate language, or inappropriate address will result in a zero for the discussion.
General Criteria for Essays
- A and B papers are well above average in critical analysis, development, style, mechanics, and support with evidence. They include accurate use of the MLA format for Works Cited, quotation integration, and page/line referencing. These papers are framed in third-person point of view. The introduction ends with a succinct opinion-based thesis. Topics sentences contain transitions and directly advance the thesis. Paragraph discussion is thoughtful, organized, unified, and coherent. Discussion is also backed with credible, accurately documented evidence and employs literary terminology to frame the discussion as a critical analysis. Lastly, these papers follow the directions to the assignment fully and also apply the writing strategy tips documented in the lecture notes.
- C papers contain issues with grammar, punctuation, spelling, organization, development, and/or support. The essay may also be more summary than critical analysis. Problems may exist with adequate support and accurate MLA documentation.
- D or F papers are those that do not meet the assignment, contain numerous errors, lack logical organization, and/or focus on generalities rather than development. These essays may also be predominately summary and do not contain adequate evidence as support.
Withdrawals
Students who wish to initiate a “W” (withdrawal) must submit the appropriate form to Continuing Education and The Records Office. For more information on this procedure, please contact the Continuing Education and Records Office in Founders Hall. Please also refer to the catalog and the college calendar. Please also consult with your advisor and the Financial Aid Office (if applicable).
Students with Disabilities (catalog)
“Students with disabilities who may require special accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Support Services (D.S.S.) at 860-343-5879. Students are also encouraged to disclose their disability to the Learning Specialist upon notification of admission to the college. Instructors are under no obligation to provide accommodations unless the student has disclosed the nature of the disability to the designated service provider on campus. The college reserves the right to determine the nature and extent of the accommodations provided.” For more complete information, refer to the catalog.
*Email Policy: I will answer emails once a day Monday-Friday.
ENG102
This course is important because you will strengthen your ability to analyze and write about literature. Additionally, English 102 meets all general education core competencies but one: Mathematical Reasoning.
- Communication:
The interactive process through which there is an exchange of verbal and/or nonverbal information.
- Cultural Awareness:
Acknowledgement that society is diverse with groups of individuals possessing differing beliefs, values, attitudes, and customs that are shared from one generation to the next.
- Social and Civic Responsibility:
Behavior that demonstrates adherence to legal/ethical standards established by society.
- Critical Thinking:
Modes of reasoning including analyzing data, evaluating alternatives, setting priorities, and predicting outcomes.
- Mathematical Reasoning:
Determination of approach, materials, and strategies necessary to solve a problem.
- Technology Utilization:
Use tools of the trade to achieve a specific outcome.
These core competencies are important personally, academically, and professionally.
The outcomes, as stated in the syllabus, are covered in this course. This course may be used to meet program requirement in General Studies and other select programs.