Spring, 2006                                                                                                   Office Hours:

ENGL 2300:  Practical Criticism                                                                  MWF 7-8

MWF, 11-11:50                                                                                              MW 1-3

Dr. Angela S. Insenga                                                                                   and by appt.

 

 

"Criticism is a misconception: we must read not to understand others but to understand ourselves.”

--Emile Cioran

 

Never trust the artist. Trust the tale. The proper function of the critic is to save the tale from the artist who created it."

--D.H. Lawrence

 

Course description:

This course serves as an introduction to representative critical approaches in literary studies, with particular attention to research and methodology. This course is required for the major in English as a prerequisite to upper-division study.  Prerequisites: ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, and permission of Department Chair.

 

Course Goals:

  • Students will cultivate skills in reading, writing, and critical analysis appropriate for the advanced English major.
  • Students will understand major critical approaches that are employed in the field of literary studies.
  • Students will be able to read, discuss, and analyze literary works using a variety of critical perspectives.
  • Students will articulate how these perspectives both inform and direct our understanding and appreciation of literature.
  • Students will develop competence in literary analysis from at least three different critical perspectives.
  • Students will organize and complete a substantive research paper that demonstrates the ability to engage effectively in critical research and writing.
  • Students will demonstrate in both oral and written work a discipline-specific critical facility through convincing and well supported analysis of course-related material.
  • Students will demonstrate their command of academic English and of the tenets of sound composition by means of thesis-driven analytical prose.

 

Required Texts:

Abrams, M.H.  A Glossary of Literary Terms. 8th ed.

Bressler, Charles. Literary Criticism:  An Introduction to Theory and Practice

Chopin, Kate. The Awakening: A Norton Critical Edition (you must buy this edition).

Edson, Margaret.  Wit.

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.  6th ed.

Plath, Sylvia. “Daddy” e-text at http://judithpordon.tripod.com/poetry/id302.html

 

Required Film (we will watch this in class together):

Fight Club.  Dir. David Fincher. 

 

Major Assignments/Percentage Breakdown

Eight, two page reading responses, 40%

Mid-term, take-home exam, 15%

Presentation, 10%

Major essay (eight to ten pages) 25%

Annotated bibliography (five sources required):  10%

 

Attendance:

This class is a discussion-based, collaborative course.  For that reason, attendance is mandatory. You may have no more than six absences.  I usually do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences, and when you are absent it is not necessary for you to call, e-mail, or inform me. The only absences I will excuse up front are university-documented trips and court dates with documentation.  If you accumulate more than six absences before the final drop date (March 2nd), I will administratively withdraw you from the course.  If you achieve more than six absences after the drop date, you will receive a failing grade for the course. Plain and simple:  we have a big job to do, and a large portion of our job depends on your prompt attendance.  Three tardies equal one unexcused absence.  You are tardy if I have closed the door. 

 

Late Work/Make-Up Work: 

As a general rule, I do not accept late work without penalty. Reading responses turned in after the class period in which they were due are considered late, and I will take off one letter grade from the response’s final grade per weekday until the work is turned in to me. Your mid-term is a take home test for which you have ample time, and it will not be accepted late. Because you have the entire semester to work on your major project/annotated bibliography, I will not accept these assignments late under any circumstance. 

 

NOTE:  I realize that, occasionally, “life happens,” that problems beyond your control can crop up once in a while.  Never hesitate to discuss problems/issues with me if you feel that your circumstance is dire.  With honest communication, many issues can be resolved.

 

Special Needs: 

Any student who has a special need should inform me during the first week of class.  We will then set up a conference to discuss the specifics of the official paperwork you have from the appropriate department. 

 

Plagiarism and Collusion: 

From the English Department’s website:  “The Department of English and Philosophy defines plagiarism as taking personal credit for the words and ideas of others as they are presented in electronic, print, and verbal sources.” The Department expects that students will accurately credit sources in all assignments. An equally dishonest practice is fabricating sources or facts; it is another form of misrepresenting the truth. Plagiarism is grounds for failing the assignment and/or course.  You can also be subject to a university disciplinary review, and the university requires professors to report plagiarism in writing to the appropriate university office. Other university policies for handling cheaters are found at the following internet URLs: The Faculty Handbook http://www.westga.edu/~vpaa/handrev/  and Student Uncatalogue: "Rights and Responsibilities" http://www.westga.edu/handbook/”

 

Please note:  “excessive collaboration” includes having family members, friends, or significant others edit your work.  This means that no one should “fix” your grammar for you or “write in” sentences/sources/documentation for you.  This sort of behavior is cheating and will be treated as such.  We will collaborate in class, and you have the Writing Center as well as my input should you need extra advice about your writing.  Should you hire a personal tutor or use an athletic tutor, realize that excessive collaboration with that person can also result in plagiarism charges.  In short: do your own work.

 

Departmental Rubric:

Beginning this semester, all ENGL courses numbered 2000 and above use a departmental rubric for grading. I have a copy of this rubric for you to examine located on my website. Please make yourself familiar with this grading scale, as it is the way I will assess your work in our course.  Feel free to address any specific questions about it to me.

 

Administrivia:

  • I reserve the right to amend this document with further handouts.
  • Aside from office hours, the best way to contact me is through e-mail. 
  • Turn off cell phones and/or pagers when you enter our classroom.
  • Please remove Ipod ear buds and turn off Ipods when you enter our classroom.
  • Not coming to class prepared with textbooks and necessary materials is an automatic absence.  No exceptions.
  • All work must be presented in hard copy form.  I will accept no work through e-mail or on a diskette.  Problems with printers, computers, etc. will not necessitate any concessions on my part.