ENGL 2111/Fall 2020/Requirements

From Gerald R. Lucas
Requirement %[1]
Reading 40%
Writing 40%
Lesson Tests 20%

This course is composed of three requirements: reading, quizzes, writing, and lesson tests. The two former requirements will be on-going throughout the semester, will require regular contributions, and may be comprised of various assignments. Lesson tests will conclude each unit and quiz your knowledge of the reading and your ability to analyze and interpret the literary works.

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Reading

Each lesson’s major focus will be reading primary texts (the literature) and secondary texts (critical response to the literature). Reading quizzes will test your knowledge of the materials, focusing on factual details like plot points, rather than interpretative readings. Students should take thorough notes as they read—like character names, plot points, and other details—that will help them on quizzes and later analysis of the texts in their writing.

Reading quizzes and in-class assignments cannot be made up for any reason.

Writing

Each lesson will have students responding to assigned readings in the class forum. The forum is a written class discussion that encourages student interaction about the course materials. These posts should be focused, interpretive, and supported by primary and secondary texts. These forum posts should show what you’re reading and thinking about in relation to the course content—it is a place to share and develop ideas about the texts.

Due before midterm, the Short Lit Crit Response will have students research and write about one of the texts we have studied in class.

Tests

Students’ knowledge of the course texts, both primary and secondary, will be tested at the end of each lesson. These short-answer tests will quiz your knowledge of the subject matter (texts, lecture material, and vocabulary), your ability to synthesize this material, and your creativity in going beyond the discussion and lecture materials. The tests could include vocabulary, identification, and interpretation. Test grades will be based upon objective knowledge of the material, thoroughness, depth of insight, precision, and originality.[2]

Required Materials

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Our study of World Literature this semester will have texts provided as PDFs.[3] However, if you prefer a book, the selections may be found in either of the following:

Both of these books are out-of-print, but you should have no problem acquiring one of them, either through the Amazon affiliate[4] links above or another bookstore. These books contain the specific translations that I will be referencing in-class and on exams, so one of the two texts above is required if you do not want to use the supplied PDFs.[5] While readily available, other translations will just be confusing and cause you unnecessary difficulty.

Your course book(s) or readings should always accompany you to class, as we will make heavy use of them in our daily discussions. Please do not come to class without it: we need the texts for class activities, in-class writing, and all aspects of our study. PDFs must be printed if they are used in class—this includes exams. Failure to do so will earn you an absence (see Attendance).

You should also bring an ink interface of some sort, as well as dead trees on which to take notes. Notes should not only reflect good listening skills, but individual interest in every topic discussed in class.



notes

  1. This is the general percentage breakdown for these requirements. As I use a point system for evaluation, the percentages are just an estimate.
  2. See the various resources available on this web site to help. They should assist in exam prep and provide guidance for your study throughout the semester.
  3. See “Class Texts on the forum. You will first need an account to access them which you will create in the first lesson.
  4. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; links to Amazon contain my associate ID. All revenue earned goes to support the costs associated with maintaining this web site.
  5. Get the cheapest one, as one is no better or worse than the other.
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