Newton Polytechnic

http://www.dmacc.edu

Syllabus

Academic Standards Commission

Instructor Information

Name

Tim Bascom

E-mail address

tpbascom@dmacc.edu

Phone number

641-791-1746

Fax number

Office location

Room 134

Office hours

M & Th (3:30-4:30)

T & Th (9:00-9:30)

W (11-12:00 & 1-2:00)

Course Information

Course title

Intro to Literature—Fall, 2006

Course number

101

Credits

3.0

Section number

NA

CRN number

10062

Days & Time

T & Th 9:40-11:05

Location

Room 135

Course Goals

The title of the course suggests the central goal: to introduce literature. We will look at a wide range of literary forms from different time periods, instead of focusing on one form or era. We will read fiction, poetry, and also a bit of drama and creative nonfiction. Generally, we will develop our ability to read closely, discovering significant patterns and interpreting those patterns for themes. However, we will also approach literature from specific critical perspectives, thereby noticing what the average reader might overlook. For instance, we might study a short story from a historical vantage point, exploring how it sheds light on social issues in a particular society at a particular time. Or we might consider the same story from a political perspective, so that we see how it illuminates the power dynamics between people of different races or economic classes.

Here’s an even deeper goal: to live life in a more informed, wise way. If we become truly perceptive readers, we will see beyond the story or poem or theatrical script. Literature is based on life and holds a mirror up to life, so that when we look at it closely, we can see our own experience more meaningfully, making sense of ourselves and the world. In this sense, to read well means to live well!

Course description

http://www.dmacc.edu/courses/crsrod.asp

Course competencies

http://www.dmacc.edu/competencies/

Important Dates

Midterm

http://www.dmacc.edu/academiccal.asp

Final

http://www.dmacc.edu/academiccal.asp

Textbooks & Materials

Required textbooks

Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama, 6^th Edition, R. DiYanni.

Recommended text-books & materials

Rules for Writers. 5th Edition. Diana Hacker. One pocket folder for handing in your main essay assignment.

Course Schedule

Week or Date	Reading	Assignments
Aug. 29-Sept. 2:	Experience, Interpretation, and Evaluation (10-12), Reading Stories (27-32), The Act of Reading and "The Story of an Hour" (37-42). Edgar Allen Poe In Context (132-136) and "The Cask of Amantillado" (144-148). "The Short Story" (175-176).	Freewriting Exercise: The Cask of Amantillado
Sept. 5-9:	Formalist Perspectives (2161-2163). Plot and Structure and "Guests of the Nation" (49-59). Character (59-62). Setting (66-67), Irony and Symbol (97-99), and "Gimpel the Fool" (404-414).	5 x 8 Card Report: Elements of Fiction in “Gim-pel the Fool”
Sept. 12-16:	Biographical and Historical Perspectives (2164-2168). Point of View (77-78) and “Hills Like White Elephants” (563-566). Sandra Cisneros in Context (238-240) and “Woman Hollering Creek” (246-253). Also, Cisneros on Herself (254-257) and Critics on Cisneros (257-259).	Group Reports: Biography & History in “Woman Hollering Creek”
Sept. 19-23:	Psychological Perspectives (2169-2171) and “Silent Dancing” (265-271). “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” (399-404).	Group Reports: Significant Words, Images, & the Psyche.
Sept. 26-30:	“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” (672-683). Film about the same story—by Joyce C. Oates.
Oct. 3-7:	Review for Exam.	Fiction Exam: Oct. 7
Oct. 10-14	Reading Poems (763-774). Types of Poetry (775-778). Adaptations: Poetry and Song (892-893). Voice: Speaker and Tone & "My Last Duchess" (779-781). "Meeting at Night" (797).	Freewriting Exercise: "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers"
Oct. 17-21	Figures of Speech (799-802), Symbolism and Allegory (804-806), and "Diving into the Wreck" (Handout). Structure: Closed Form and Open Form (832-837). Emily Dickinson In Context (909-912). "I felt a Funeral, in my Brain" (920) and "Some keep the Sabbath . . . " (921). "A Noiseless Patient Spider" (1203).	Group Reports: Elements of Poetry in Song Lyrics.

Course Schedule Continued

Week or Date	Reading	Assignments
Oct. 24-26	Sound: Rhyme, Alliteration, Assonance (817-820). "Death Be Not Proud" (1100), "Musee Des Beaux Arts" (see color inserts following page 906). "Meditation at Lagunitas" (1118) and "Golden Retrievals" (1031).	5 x 8 Card Report: Elements of Poetry in one Selected Poem
Oct. 31-Nov. 2	Feminist Perspectives (2090-2092). "Women" (1032), "This is a Photograph of Me" (1047), and two poems by women in Latino or Hispanic cultures. "The Game" (1084) and "Pumpkin Eater" (1083). Guest speaker on Hispanic culture and women.	Group Reports: Feminist Themes in Poetry
Nov. 7-9	Poems for fun: "Dover Beach" and "The Dover Bitch" (889-890). "Anyone Lived In a Pretty How Town" (1094), "St. Francis and the Sow" (handout), and "Chess" (1046). Review for exam.
Nov. 14-16	Exam. "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell (1615-1626).	Poetry Exam: Nov 14.
Nov. 21-23	Film version of "Trifles."0
Nov. 28-30	Wrap up and Discussion of Final Essay
Dec. 5-7	Final Essay Due.	Essay due: Dec. 7.
Nov. 28-Dec. 2	Film Monsoon Wedding or Mississipi Masala.
Dec. 5-9	Wrap up and Discussion of Final Essay
Dec. 13	Final Essay Due.	Essay due.

Course Policies
Attendance	University policy requires that students attend scheduled classes. I understand that, from time to time, circumstances make it impossible for a student to attend. If you have to be absent for good reason, see me ahead of time or as soon as possible after the absence. Try to bring a written excuse. Generally, I find that "A" and "B" students are absent, unexcused, no more than three times in a semester. Any student who is absent without explanation from more than five class periods (three weeks) will be advised to drop the course, since this generally indicates a lack of motivation and since it puts the student in a position of not being able to finish the required assignments. Finally, if you are absent without a legitimate excuse, I will expect you to ask another student about missed work. I do not want to repeatedly go over missed work and assignments with students who have not given a legitimate reason for their absence.
Grading Criteria	Grades are earned, not "given." Try to approach each assignment with the goal of doing your best. That is the real goal in learning. With that in mind, here are the main grading components for this course: 1) Homework (30% of final grade). Reading is an important dimension of your homework. You will be required to turn in a reading journal twice this semester. Your journal entries should be 1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced. They should be kept in a pocket-folder and completed before class. I may call on students to read from these journal entries, and if a student seems to be coming to class unprepared, I may ask to see the journal folder, subtracting points if the journal is clearly incomplete. In addition to the journal, you will also be asked to turn in two 5 x 8 card reports (one for fiction and one for poetry). Each is worth the equivalent of two journal entries. 2) Participation (10% of final grade). I expect you to be in class regularly and to participate willingly. Each day that you attend and show a normal level of interest, you will receive a participation point. If you are noticeably involved, you will receive an extra point. However, any student who is difficult or disruptive (see classroom behavior) will lose his or her participation point for that day. Coming to class late twice will also cause you to lose a point. The key thing is to come to class having read the material for that day, and then to be willing to enter the conversation. 3) Exams (40% of final grade). You will take two exams. Each is worth 20% of your final grade. 4) Major essay (20% of final grade). You will write one major essay, drawing on what you have learned all semester. During the semester, we will look for comparative connections that might lead to worthwhile essay topics. At mid-term I will alert you if you are at risk of a D or F. If you are concerned about your progress in the course, please take the initiative to meet with me during my office hours or during writing center hours. I am glad to talk.
Classroom conduct	This is a college course. As a result, you are expected to act like adult learners. Certain behavior is inappropriate: whispering, signaling to classmates, ridiculing anyone in the room, acting sullen, interrupting, arguing, trying to sidetrack conversation, and so on. Please show your maturity by being a positive presence in the classroom. To study any subject is a privilege. Many adults have no opportunity, after entering the workforce, to step away from their day-to-day demands and to study a subject in depth. Let’s enjoy our time together as a learning community. Since composition is a course that allows students to openly share about their own experience and ideas, it can actually be the starting place for worthwhile, lasting relationships.
Late assignments	Papers and journals are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Late assignments will lose one letter grade for every class period that they are late. If they are not received within three class periods, they will receive no grade at all.
Weather policy	During adverse weather, DMACC faculty is considerate of students who are unable to attend classes due to unique extenuating circumstances. It is the responsibility of each faculty member to notify their students (in addition to their dean or provost) thru some predetermined means if they must postpone or cancel a specific class due to weather or illness. If class is cancelled, I will alert the front desk, so they can call students. I will also try to send an email message to the entire class.
Academic dishonesty	See DMACC Educational Services Procedures ES 262 VII. A and B for information on plagiarism, cheating, and appeals procedures. I have no tolerance for work borrowed or stolen from others and will report any student whom I discover plagiarizing or cheating. The consequences for academic dishonesty are high and can even result in suspension or expulsion.
DMACC Information Web Sites
DMACC home page			http://www.dmacc.edu/
Instructor home pages			http://www.dmacc.edu/instructors/welcome.asp
Cellular phone use statement			http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/cellphone.asp
Student handbook			http://www.dmacc.edu/handbook/welcome.asp
Add/drop dates			http://www.dmacc.edu/registration/add_drop.asp
Refund policy			http://www.dmacc.edu/refund.asp
Support Services
Services for students with disabilities		http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/disabilities.asp It is the policy of DMACC to accommodate students with disabilities. Any student with a documented disability who requires reasonable accommodation should contact the special needs coordinator (515-964-6850 voice or 515-964-6810 TTY) or contact the Academic Achievement Center (641-791-1730 on the Newton campus) for an Application for Accommodation. Then speak with me about the situation.
Academic & educational advising	http://www.dmacc.edu/newton/newtonadvisors.htm
Career counseling	http://www.dmacc.edu/newton/newtonadvisors.htm
Interactive Learning Center	http://www.library.dmacc.edu/ Room 120 · Monday – Thursday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm · Friday – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Academic Achievement Center	http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/academic_achievement_center.asp Services include academic help, tutoring, testing (Compass), pre-admission and high school diploma courses, GED, and credit classes 641-791-3622 or 1-800-362-2127 Room 107 Monday – Thursday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Computer labs	http://www.dmacc.edu/helpdesk/pc_labs.htm Room 110 A · Monday – Thursday 8:00 am to 9:00 pm · Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Writing Center	Email: tpbascom@dmacc.edu Room 134 For assistance on any writing project or speech, come to The Writing Center during posted hours: Monday and Wednesday (9-10) or Monday through Thursday (11:15-12:15). Try, if possible, to sign up in advance, using the signup sheet next to the door of Room 134.
Disclaimer
This syllabus is representative of materials that will be covered in this class; it is not a contract between the student and the institution. It is subject to change without notice. Any potential exceptions to stated policies and requirements will be addressed on an individual basis, and only for reasons that meet specific requirements. If you have any problems related to this class, please feel free to discuss them with me.