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ENG 230.3: Reading and Writing about Literature

Spring 2017

Instructor: Dr. Joyce Huff Office: RB 386

Classroom: TC 412 Office Phone: 765-285-8378
Class Time: MW 3-4:15 PM E-mail: jlhuff@bsu.edu
Office Hours: MW 1-2:30 PM & by appointment Mailbox: RB 297

GOALS:

What will I learn in this class?

The English departments objectives for the course are:
To become familiar with several contemporary critical methods for interpreting literature
To develop awareness of the theoretical implications of differing critical perspectives
To become familiar with the modes and conventions used in scholarly writing about
literature
To know how to use electronic and print resources to conduct scholarly research
To improve writing skills
To respond to feedback by revising written work
My additional goals are:
To further expand knowledge and skills by exploring new ideas, texts and approaches to
English studies with an open mind and a curious intellect
To create an intellectual community. In this community, students must listen to ideas
and background material presented by the professor and other students and
contribute their own ideas and knowledge based on their on going research. The
success of the class will depend largely on student contributions to discussion.

How can I increase my chances of achieving these goals?

Read all of the assigned material with care and attention; federal regulations specify at
least 4 and hours of homework per week for a 3-credit course!
Read with a pen in hand, and mark passages that interest or puzzle you
Relate individual texts to overarching ideas encountered in the course and to issues that
you care about or have an interest in
Come to class (on time!) with ideas, questions, an open mind and a curious intellect
Participate frequently in class discussions
Listen attentively when others are speaking and express disagreement in a polite and
respectful manner
Take copious notes in class (on everything that is said, not simply by the professor)
Hand in all assignments, complete and on time
Read assignment sheets carefully to see what theyre really asking for
Leave plenty of time for revision of essays (not just proof-reading but actually making
the paper stronger by rearranging and rephrasing points, adding examples and
explanations, and cutting extraneous points)
Contact me (politely) with any comments, questions, or problems regarding the course

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

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What texts do I need for class?

Janet E Gardner, et.al., Literature: A Portable Anthology, 4th ed.
Steven Lynn, Texts and Contexts: Writing About Literature with Critical Theory, 6th ed.
Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, They Say I Say, 3rd ed.
Additional readings on Blackboard. For specific reading assignments, see attached schedule.

How do I access materials on electronic reserve?

If the reading is on Blackboard, it will be posted under Readings. If the reading is on E-Reserve,
go to the library website and then to the catalog. Choose Course Reserves from the menu
across the top. Search by course number. Click the link marked URL in the bottom right of the
entry for the reading. Be sure to either print out a copy or bring a laptop, so that you have the
reading available for reference in class.

What assignments will I be required to complete and how will they be graded?
Due dates and detailed descriptions of assignments will be given on separate assignment sheets.
Discussion (100 points): Participate regularly in class discussion.
Wiki (200 points, 40 pts each): You will contribute annotations to an on-line wiki.
Three Quizzes (300 points, 100 pts each): Three reading quizzes.
Essay #1, Explication (200 points),
Essay #2, Critical Conversation (300 points),
Essay #3, Historical Context (400 points),
Essay #4, Literary Theory (200 points): Information on each of these essays will be
provided on separate assignment sheets.
Peer Review (200 points): Turn in all peer reviews complete and on time
Theory Presentation (100 points): A five-minute presentation, of acceptable quality, in
which you discuss your theory of literature at the end of the semester.
There are 2000 possible points.
A = 1860-2000
A- = 1800-1859
B+ = 1740-1799
B = 1660-1739
B- = 1600-1659
C+ = 1540-1599
C = 1460-1539
C- = 1400-1459
D+ = 1340-1399
D = 1260-1339
D- = 1200-1259
F = 0-1199

Where can I go for feedback on my writing?

Writing is a social activity, and feedback is essential for revision. I am happy to meet with you in
my office to answer questions and give feedback about writing. I also encourage you to visit The
Writing Center to work on your papers at any stage in the writing process. Visit the website
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http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CentersandInstitutes/WritingCenter.aspx or stop by the office at

RB 295 to make an appointment.

POLICIES

What is your attendance policy?

Being late to class on a regular basis will lower your final grade. Students in MWF classes
are allowed to miss 4 class sessions and TR classes are allowed to miss 3 without incurring a
penalty. Your final grade for the course will drop by 20 points for each additional unexcused
absence. According to English department policy, missing more than three weeks of class (for
MWF classes, more than 9 unexcused absences; for TR classes, more than 6) will result in
FAILURE of the course. I only excuse absences in unusual circumstances. An excused absence
requires written documentation (ie. doctors note). If you miss any class sessions, be sure to get
notes from a classmate and to turn in assignments on time.

What should I do about late assignments?

You are expected to turn in work on time. When an assignment is late, the grade drops by 5
points for the initial missed deadline and 5 points for each day that passes after that deadline. I
will not accept assignments submitted over two weeks after the deadline. If you believe you
will have trouble meeting a deadline, contact me before the due date to discuss it.

What happens if class is cancelled?

Check Blackboard for messages from me. If I need to cancel class due to an emergency, I will try
to leave a note on the classroom door for you. If there is no note, wait 15 minutes before you go.

What is academic dishonesty?

All work submitted in this class must be your own original work, done specifically for this
course. You may not hand in the same work for two courses. If you borrow ideas, structure or
wording from any source (including on-line study guides like Sparknotes), you must attribute it
to the original author and cite the source. Any incident of academic dishonesty will result in a
formal charge and failure of the assignment and possibly the course. It is ultimately your
responsibility to be familiar with the Universitys guidelines regarding academic dishonesty, as
set forth in the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities:
www.bsu.edu/studentrights/academicethics

What should I do if I need accommodation for a disability?

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please contact me as
soon as possible. Ball State's Disability Services office coordinates services for students with
disabilities; documentation of a disability needs to be on file in that office before any
accommodations can be provided. Disability Services can be contacted at 765-285-5293 or
dsd@bsu.edu.

Where can I go if Im feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed?

To make an appointment with the Counseling Center, call (765) 285-1736 or stop in to Lucina
Hall, Room 320.
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How can I keep up with all of the exciting things happening in the English Department?
The English department maintains an active online community and offers a variety of resources.
Check out the department blog at https://bsuenglish.wordpress.com/, subscribe to our calendar,
and follow us on Twitter (@bsuenglish) and Facebook. Youll never miss a thing.

What is Ball States policy on diversity?

Ball State University is committed to fostering and promoting a healthy learning community. All
students will be treated with respect, tolerance, and equality regardless of race, religion,
ethnicity, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender, age, or economic status. If, for
any reason, a student feels discriminated against in the classroom based on these differences,
he/she should contact his/her professor or the department chair. The Office of University
Compliance or the Office of Student Rights and Community Standards may be contacted if the
student is not satisfied with the results of meeting with his/her professor or department chair. The
Ball State University community believes in the strength of diversity and recognizes the
importance of appreciating equality.

Is there life after BSU?

Ball States Career Center is eager to help you think about your future. Their services include
individual Career Coaching, drop-in rsum reviews, assistance researching potential careers and
internships, and referrals to campus and off-campus jobs. They can tell you more about grad
school, job fairs, interviews, and lots more. The English departments designated Career Coach is
Eilis Wasserman, ewasserman@bsu.edu, Lucina Hall 219. You can set up an appointment with
her through Cardinal Career Link. Also remember that the English department hosts a career
series on the last Tuesday of every month.

I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus at any time. I will inform you of any and all
changes.

TENTATIVE READING SCHEDULE

UNIT ONE: NEW CRITICISM and READER RESPONSE; POETRY

1/9 Welcome to the class
1/11 Blackboard: Bohannon, Shakespeare in the Bush; Eco, The Title and the Meaning
1st ASSIGNMENT DUE

1/16 Holiday!
1/18 Lynn: Ch 3, New Criticism, up to The Writing Process, 45-58; Donne, Canonization, 256
Gardner: Roethke, My Papas Waltz, 532: Hughes, Theme for English B 524;
Dickinson, Much Madness is Divinest Sense, 492

1/23 Lynn: Ch 3, New Criticism, up to Practicing, 58-64; Terms and Checklist, 68-70
Gardner: Cummings, next to of course god, 524; Clifton, At the Cemetary 572; Rich,
Aunt Jennifers Tigers, 560; Smith, Not Waving but Drowning, 528
WIKI #1 DUE
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1/25 Gardner: Ch 6, Writing About Poems, 1208-1222

Website: Academy of Amercian Poets, Poetic Form: Sonnet,
http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/poetic-form-sonnet
Gardner: Shakespeare, Sonnet 18, 426; Donne, Death be Not Proud, 432; Bernadette
Mayer, Sonnet, 598
Blackboard: Collins, Sonnet; Shakespeare, Sonnet 20
DRAFT OF PAPER 1 DUE BY CLASSTIME

1/30 Writing Workshop: Draft of Paper 1

REVIEW OF PAPER 1 DUE BY CLASSTIME
2/1 Lynn: Ch 4, Reader Response, up to The Writing Process, 73-87
Gardner: Auden, Funeral Blues, 530; Rich, Diving into the Wreck, 561; Williams,
Red Wheelbarrow, 511; Boland, Pomegranate, 596

2/6 Graff: Cartoons on p. 4-5, Ch 1, 2 and 3

PAPER 1 DUE
2/8 Lynn: Ch 4, Reader Response, up to Practicing, 87-97; Terms and Checklist, 105
Gardner: Auden, Musee de Beaux Arts, 531; Rukuyser, Waiting for Icarus, 537
Blackboard: Abse, Brueghel in Naples; Devenish, Icarus Again; Updike, Icarus
WIKI #2 DUE

2/13 Writing Workshop: Working with literary criticism

Blackboard: Browning, Porphyrias Lover; Two Browning Articles
QUIZ 1
2/15 Writing Workshop: Summarizing and quoting articles
Graff Ch. 4 and 6
ARTICLES FOR PAPER #2 DUE (bring to class)

UNIT TWO: DECONSTRUCTION and HISTORICISM; FICTION

2/20 Lynn: Ch 5, Deconstruction, up to The Writing Process, 109-124; Wolff, Say Yes, 245
Gardner: Chopin, Story of an Hour, 48
2/22 Gardner; Atwood, Happy Endings, 300; Poe, Cask of Amontillado, 14
Blackboard: Boyle, The Hit Man
DRAFT OF PAPER 2 DUE BY CLASSTIME

2/27 Writing Workshop: Draft of Paper 2

Responding to Paper 1 criticism
REVIEW OF PAPER 2 DUE
3/1 Lynn: Ch 5, Deconstruction, up to Practicing, 124-135; Terms and Checklist, 140-42
Gardner: Faulkner, Rose for Emily, 168
WIKI #3 DUE

3/6 Spring Break!

3/8 Spring Break!
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3/13 Lynn: Ch 6, Historical Criticism, up to The Writing Process, 145-165

Gardner: Kincaid, Girl, 355
PAPER 2 DUE
3/15 Writing workshop: Research questions
Blackboard: Belsey, Textual Analysis as a Research Method, Sections III and V
Graff: OConnor, Everything That Rises, 272
Gardner: Bambera, The Lesson, 304

3/20 Library Instruction, meet at library

RESEARCH QUESTION DUE
3/22 Lynn: Ch 6, Historical Criticism; 165-183; Terms and Checklist 184-190
WIKI #4 DUE

3/27 Gardner: Gilman, Yellow Wallpaper, 64

Blackboard: Wallpaper readings
3/29 Writing workshop: Incorporating historical sources
Graff: Ch 7 and 10
BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE
QUIZ 2

UNIT THREE: PSYCHOLOGICAL; DRAMA

4/3 Lynn: Ch 7, Psychological, up to The Writing Process, 191-200

4/5 Gardner: Othello, Act 1, 728
DRAFT OF PAPER 3 DUE BY CLASSTIME

4/10 Writing workshop: Draft of Paper 3

REVIEW OF PAPER 3 DUE
4/12 Lynn: Ch 7, Psychological, up to Practicing, 200-211; Terms and Checklist, 214-215
WIKI #5 DUE

4/17 Gardner: Othello, Act 2

PAPER 3 DUE
4/19 Gardner: Othello, Act 3

4/24 Gardner: Othello, Act 4

4/26 Gardner: Othello, Act 5

5/1 Presentations
QUIZ 3

5/3 2:15-4:15 Presentations

PAPER 4 DUE