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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; dictionary; The Norton
Introduction to Literature,
ed. Alison Booth, J. Paul Hunter, and Kelly J. Mays (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 Services Center in the basement of
Scarborough Library. 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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