Phone:  West Georgia Newnan Center: (770) 254-7280 

E-mail: jwest@westga.edu
Web:  http://www.westga.edu/~jwest

Office Hours: Before and after class or by appointment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: English 1102 is a course which serves both as a continuation of ENGL 1101 and an introduction to the study of literature focusing on skills required for reading, interpreting, and writing analytical essays about literature in at least three genres (i.e. fiction, drama, poetry).  In writing, students must demonstrate competency in both explication of literary texts and research-based interpretation.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
*  McGraw-Hill’s A Writer’s Reference

*  Euripides’ Medea

*  Sophocles’ Oedipus

*  Shakespeare’s Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream

*  Chopin’s The Awakening

*  Williams’ Streetcar Named Desire

*  Wiesel’s Night

*  O’Brien’s The Things They Carried

*  Spike Lee’s 25^th Hour and Malcolm X
*  Access to the Internet, any word processing program, and a printer.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this course, students should have learned 
*  To extend the skills of expository writing and critical thinking established in English

    1101. 
*  To read, understand, and interpret fiction, drama, and poetry and write analytically

    about them. 
*  To understand literary principles and use basic terms important to critical writing and 
    reading. 
*  To construct essays using textual evidence from both primary and secondary sources.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

GRADING: All assignments must be completed in order to pass this course.  NOTE: You must earn a letter grade of C or better in order to pass English 1102.

READER'S RESPONSE:

Periodically throughout the course you will be asked to reflect on what you have read before you come to class for discussion.  I expect responses to be clearly written, easy-to-read, and free from major grammatical/stylistic errors.

IN-CLASS ESSAY: Students will write one in-class essay in preparation for the writing portion of the Regent's Exam.  The essay topic will reflect course content, and directions for the essay will be clearly outlined.  

OUT-OF-CLASS ESSAYS:  Students will write 3 full-length essays.  Each essay must have a minimum length of 3 pages typed, using MLA format and in-text citation of quotes.  Essays that do not meet the requirements set forth in class will receive a failing grade.   

FORMAT FOR ALL PAPERS:

All drafts and final copies MUST be typed in New Times Roman, 12 point font using MLA format.  Your writer’s handbook from English 1101 explains MLA format in detail, and we will also briefly review MLA format in class.

ATTENDANCE:  Students will be administratively withdrawn from class based on the following attendance policy.  For classes that meet three times a week, a student is allowed four absences. Upon the fifth absence, the student will be withdrawn.  For classes that meet twice a week, a student is allowed three absences.  Upon the fourth absence, the student will be withdrawn.  Be aware that no distinction exists between excused and unexcused absences.  In addition, students should be aware that if the withdrawal date falls before March 1, the student will receive a “W.”  If the withdrawal date falls after March 1, the student will receive a “WF.”

LATE ARRIVALS: Late arrivals disrupt me and your fellow students. You are allowed two tardies only.  All tardies after the first two will be counted as absences.

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR: Students may be dismissed from any class meeting at which they exhibit behavior that disrupts the learning environment of others.  Such behavior includes—but is not limited to—arriving late for class, allowing cell phones to ring, speaking disrespectfully to the instructor and/or to other students, checking email or surfing the web, and using personal audio or video devices. Each dismissal of this kind will count as an absence and will be applied toward the attendance requirements policy above.

PARTICIPATION: Because this course is discussion oriented, you should come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings.  I expect you to read all assignments before we meet, and I expect you to participate regularly in class discussions. 

LATE WORK: Late work will not be accepted with the exception of the out-of-class essays.  These essays will be accepted with a ten point deduction for each class day they are late.  All assignments will be collected at the beginning of class.  If you are tardy to class, you may not make up any work completed before your arrival. 

THE WRITING CENTER: I encourage you to visit The Writing Center at various points in the writing process.  Regardless of writing skill level, one may always benefit from an intelligent discussion with knowledgeable peers.  The Writing Center is located in the TLC building.  To make an appointment, call 678-839-6513.

THE REGENTS’ EXAMINATION: The Regents’ Examination is a two-part test of minimum-level reading and writing proficiency.  Students must take this examination after passing English 1102 or after 30 hours of coursework.  In the hour-long written portion of the Regents’ Exam, students are required to write an essay based on personal experience and a general understanding of current events.  The essay is expected to be clearly focused, well articulated, and relatively free from patterns of error; however, no particular studying should be necessary for the exam besides a few general rehearsals, a general cognizance of current events, and close attention to the lessons of English 1101 and 1102.  Students who do not pass the Regents’ Exam by the time they have completed 45 hours of coursework are automatically placed in classes which provide additional writing support.
General Info:  www.gsu.edu/rtp
Sample Topics:  www.gsu.edu/~wwwrtp/topics.htm

PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: 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 course.

The University policies for handling Academic Dishonesty are found in the following documents:
Student Undergraduate Catalogue: “Rights and Responsibilities;” Appendix J.
http://www.westga.edu/handbook/

SPECIAL NEEDS: If you have a registered disability that will require accommodation, please see me at the beginning of the semester.  If you have a disability that you have not yet registered through the Disabled Student Services Office, please contact Dr. Ann Phillips in 137 Parker Hall.