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Writing about Literature: ENGL
102 (Departmental Syllabus)
Course purpose and objectives: The goals for
Writing about Literature, ENGL 102, are to develop students' critical
reading, thinking, and writing skills as they discuss and write about a
variety of literary genres: fiction, poetry, and drama. The readings for
this course will include American and world literature selections that
reflect a range of ethnic and cultural diversity. A thematic approach
may be utilized as long as characteristics of the genres and close reading
skills and textual analysis are taught. Emphasis is placed on learning to
develop clear, logical, well-structured critical essays, free from serious
usage/mechanics errors. To help students accomplish these goals, teachers
are asked to present writing as a process. Students will also receive
instruction in research techniques and in writing the research paper. In
addition, students will become familiar with and cultivate an appreciation
for stylistic characteristics of each literary genre and the timeless
insights into the human condition provided through the reading and study of
literature.
Essential skills and outcomes to
be acquired through the course include:
1)
an ability to render close textual analysis;
2)
an ability to synthesize information from multiple texts;
3)
an ability to render clear, cogent ideas;
4)
an ability to structure well-developed essays, with thesis, textual
support, and analysis;
5)
an ability to correctly employ standard written English usage;
6)
an ability to utilize effective research methodology and research paper
skills;
7)
an understanding of and respect for ethnic/cultural diversity;
8)
an aesthetic and critical judgment for literature;
9) an ability to utilize basic
technology to improve writing and thinking skills.
Required texts and materials: A Writer's Reference, Diana Hacker, St Martins Press;
dictionary; Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense, ed. L. Perrine,
Harcourt, Brace or departmentally approved texts; computer account for use
of the Knutti Collaborative Learning Computer Lab.
Essays and documented research
paper: A
minimum of five documented essays are required, one of which will be a
longer, formal research paper of at least 1,250 words, written on a
literary topic and utilizing MLA documentation style. Each essay will be
graded and returned before the next writing assignment, and at least one
essay must be an in-class essay. In preparation for the research paper,
students will receive instruction in using indexes, computer reference
tools and other bibliographic and electronic tools, in taking carefully
documented notes, in evaluating electronic sources, and in writing an
accurately documented paper. MLA ms. style as presented in A Writer's
Reference will be employed for the writing of the documented
papers.
Because Shepherd University values the
importance of computer literacy and because the Department of English
values the processes of revision and editing in writing, all ENGL 102
essays must be computer drafted. All students must acquire a
university computer account and become familiar with the three General
Studies basic technology/communication requirements: 1) Internet use, 2)
electronic library research, and 3) word processing.
The University Writing Center:
To receive individual instruction and feedback on writing in progress,
students should be encouraged to visit The Academic Support Center in
Knutti 114. Visits are by appointment (via the online schedule found
at www.shepherd.edu/ascweb)
or through ShepOwl at http://www.shepherd.edu/scwcweb/tutorform.htm.
Appalachian Heritage
Writer-in-Residence Project: Instructors are encouraged
to utilize works by the Writer-in-Residence in their course and incorporate
at least one of the residency events each fall into their course curriculum,
as this program presents an extraordinary opportunity for General Studies
students at Shepherd to come in contact with a regional writer of note. For
information including lesson plans, see residency webpage at http://www.shepherd.edu/ahwirweb/.
Grading: Grades awarded
for essays should be consistent with the Department Grading Criteria at http://www.shepherd.edu/englweb/criteria.htm, and the grading scale will be as follows:
90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 0-59=F.
Revision Approved 04-02-08
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