English 4180
Tentative Syllabus
Place: Humanities 207
Time: Tuesdays: 11:00-12:15
Office: TLC 2225 (678-839-6512)
Office hours: 9-11, 2-3:30 T,Th ; And by Appointment
Email: mcrafton@westga.edu
Home page: http://www.westga.edu/~mcrafton/
Course Description
The Bayeux Tapestry, one of the
single most important art objects from the Middle Ages and one of the very few
textile art objects, represents a version of William of Normandy's conquest of
Anglo-Saxon English in 1066. Not only does the Tapestry serve as a piece of propaganda
of William's justification for his right to
Learning Outcomes
1) Students will develop the ability to identify achievements in various fields and movements within literary theory and criticism; 2) Students will become familiar with important characteristics of and distinctions between critical schools and methodologies; 3) Students will recognize how theory and literature construct a dialectical relationship with social, historical, political, economic, and cultural forces as they are produced and consumed; 4) Students will understand and appreciate the relationship between theory and literature and the role played by each in the production and consumption of the other; 5) Students will be able to apply theoretical issues and skills to real-world circumstances; 6) Students will demonstrate in both oral and written work a discipline-specific critical facility through convincing and well-supported analysis of related material; 7) Students will display their command of academic English and of the tenets of sound composition by means of thesis-driven analytical prose, including at least eight pages of research-based writing; 8) Students will learn to use discipline-specific technologies related to the study of language such as listservs, word processing, and internet research.
Relationship to Program Goals
1) This course fulfills an elective requirement for the completion of the English major; 2) This course contributes to the larger goal of equipping students with a foundation in literary theory and the issues surrounding literary study in contemporary culture; 3) This course helps students develop the analytical, oral, and written skills needed to pursue graduate study or careers in teaching, writing, business, and a variety of other fields; 4) This course will help students learn how to define and pursue independent research agendas; 5) This course broadens students' desire and ability to take pleasure in their encounter with literature.
NOTE: This is writing intensive course. Your papers and presentation assignments involve writing-to-learn activities in which you will be using writing to understand the material we have read. Your responses will be used to generate class discussion as well as to help you gain confidence in your abilities to read and write about what you have learned. Your writing will be evaluated in terms of these expectations. ALL written assignments should conform to the standards of college-level, academic writing. By successfully completing this course, you can receive WAC (Writing Across the Curriculum) credit toward graduation. The goals of WAC are to encourage students to use writing as a way to learn, to show students how to write effectively in their disciplines and to improve students' writing skills. All students majoring in disciplines in the School of Arts and Sciences are required to satisfy the WAC requirements for WAC to graduate: These requirements include at least two 3000/4000 level W courses for a total of 6 hours with at least 3 of these hours in the major. Additional WAC certification is also available. See the current undergraduate catalog for details
Additional materials will be placed on the course website or on reserve in the library.
Course Evaluation
10% Participation and Quizzes
10% Oral Report
10% Response Paper
20% Midterm Examination
25% Final Examination
25% Final Research Paper (minimum of 8 pages)
Attendance Requirements and
Class Protocols
Improving your critical thinking,
analytical writing, and presentation skills requires commitment and
concentrated effort. Therefore, careful preparation and active participation
are crucial to your success in this course. Obviously, you should be present
and on time for all class meetings.
In the case of excused absences, it is your responsibility to make arrangements
with me to complete assignments you have missed immediately upon your return to
class. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a zero or grade
reduction for work not submitted on time. You will not be able to make up
missed in-class assignments or quizzes, and you will not receive credit for
these assignments. If you find it unavoidable to miss class, be
aware of the following guidelines:
a) Four absences are allowed during the course. Every absence thereafter will
result in a one-third letter grade reduction of your final grade in the course,
regardless of the nature of the absence. No distinctions will be made between
excused and unexcused absences.
b) Roll will be taken during every class period at the beginning of class. If
you arrive late, it is your responsibility to let us know so you are not
counted absent.
c) It is your responsibility to keep up with your absences and late arrivals.
d) You should use your allotted absences wisely. Unplanned or unexpected
occurrences are likely, so be prepared to use absences for these events only.
e) Entering class late and leaving class before it is over will count as an
unexcused absence, unless you have a legitimate medical excuse for doing so.
f) Excessive absences or tardiness from class may result in your administrative
withdrawal from this course with a grade of F.
g) Please turn off all cell phones and pagers before entering class.
h) This class meets for a long time, and we will take a fifteen minute break in order to take a quick bite of food or refreshment. Please refrain from eating during class.
Classroom Presentations
Throughout the course, you will be expected to complete outside reading and
homework assignments, written and oral classroom presentations, and other
classroom activities. These assignments are designed to reinforce the
information presented in reading assignments and lectures. Classroom
presentations will give you an opportunity to present information to the class
for consideration and discussion. You will not be able to make up presentation
assignments that are missed due to absence from class. Presentations will be
assessed on the basis on organization, clarity, and presentation style. I will
provide you with a list of assignments and guidelines for the presentations as
the course progresses.
Midterm and Final Examinations
Examinations will be based on reading assignments, course lectures, and other materials presented in class. For each examination students will be expected to know the major terms and figures, concepts and theories related to the study of the literature that will be presented in reading assignments and course lectures. Consequently, students should be thoroughly familiar with each reading assignment and be prepared to take notes during class. Examinations will include an objective, in-class component (terms, definitions, etc.) and an out of class essay component. Examinations cannot be taken late or scheduled at an alternate time unless you have a serious medical emergency or another legitimate reason for doing so. In the event that such circumstances arise, you must let me know in advance to schedule an alternate time to take the examination. Otherwise, late exams will be marked down one letter grade for each day they are taken late. I will provide you with a study guide prior to each exam.
Final Research Paper
The final research paper (a minimum of 8 pages of type-written research-based analysis) will represent the culmination of your study in this course.
Every class offered by the English Department of the University of West Georgia makes every effort to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need assistance in this regard, please feel free to contact the instructor or office of Dr. Anne Phillips in Parker Hall.
Technology
You need to be familiar with finding sources online and other aspects of
computer technology for this class. I will assist you if you have questions.
Also, information can be found online at the UWG Technology / Surfing Guide:
http://www.westga.edu/~techlife/
Plagiarism & Academic
Dishonesty
UWG defines plagiarism as taking personal credit for the words and ideas of
others as they are presented in electronic, print, and verbal sources. I expect
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.
Any student caught submitting materials (in part or whole) as their own work
from online websites will fail the course automatically and be referred to the
Academic Discipline Council. For additional information, please see
http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/Plagiarism
Conferences and Outside
Assistance
I will be glad to meet with you outside of class to discuss your work in this
class, the writing assignments, or the texts we are studying. If you are having
trouble with the material in this class or have questions and/or concerns you
would like to discuss, please set up a time to meet with me.
Texts:
Online version of BT:
http://www.essentialnormanconquest.com/bayeux/startpc.dcr
James J. Wilhelm, ed. The Romance of
Arthur : An Anthology of Medieval Texts in Translation.
Seamus Heaney, trans. Beowulf: A Verse
Translation (Norton Critical Editions).
Glyn S. Burgess, trans. The Song of
Roland.
Anonymous. King Harald's Saga : Harald Hardradi of
Other texts:
Daily Assignments