| Requirement | %[1] |
|---|---|
| Reading | 30% |
| Writing | 40% |
| Tests | 30% |
This course is composed of three requirements: reading, writing, and tests. Each requirement will be on-going throughout the semester, will require regular contributions, and may be comprised of various assignments. Tests will be essay and short-answers, one at midterm and one at the conclusion of the course.
Reading
Each lesson’s major focus will be reading primary texts (the literature) and secondary texts (critical response to the literature). Reading quizzes (taken on D2L ➭ ) 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 cannot be made up for any reason. Please do not ask me to reopen a closed quiz.
Writing
Each lesson has students discussing to assigned readings on Packback. This forum is a written class discussion that encourages interaction about the course materials. These posts should be focused, interpretive, and supported by primary and secondary texts. Discussion 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. You will discuss to every text you read, the minimum required response per week is three: one question and two response posts.
Short Lit-Crit Response
This essay will have students research and write about one of the texts we have studied in class. Choose the text you would like to investigate further, find a secondary, critical article, and write your two-page response. For detailed instructions, see Short Lit Crit Response and be sure you follow them carefully.
Tests
Students’ knowledge of the course texts will be evaluated with a midterm and a final exam. These exams will be composed of essay and short-answer questions. The best answers employ an objective knowledge of the material, thoroughness, depth of insight, precision, and originality. The best way to prepare for these tests is to read the assigned novels thoroughly and have a general understanding of the main themes of the works. Additional research always helps.
Required Materials
Our study of this semester will require one text, which should be available in the campus bookstore or via this Amazon affiliate[2] link:[3]
- Greenblatt, Stephen, ed. (2018). The Norton Anthology of English Literature. The Major Authors. 2 (Tenth ed.). New York: W. W. Norton. ISBN 9780393603095.
Much of the required reading is available for free, so you are not required to use the text above, if you can locate the reading elsewhere. Often, I will link to alternatives; however, you may not be able to find everything assigned. Whatever way you go, you are still responsible for all course readings.
Your course book(s) and readings are an important part of the class and should be purchased (or downloaded) immediately. Lessons are built from specific readings and assignments will depend on those readings. If available, you may use an ebook, but be warned that page numbers referred to in lessons may not be the same in an electronic text. Book rentals are also acceptable, if necessary.
Even though this is an online course, I recommend old-fashioned, analog note taking. In other words: use an ink interface of some sort, as well as dead trees to take notes. Notes should not only reflect essential aspects of the readings, but individual interest in every topic researched for class.
Packback
The Packback Questions platform will be used for online discussion about class topics and is a requirement of this course. Packback Questions is an online community where you can ask open-ended questions to build on top of what we are covering in class and relate topics to real-world applications. There will be a Tuesday at 11:59PM EST deadline for submissions. You may not be required to post every week, but for every unit we study .
In order to receive full credit, you should submit the minimum requirements[4] per each deadline period:
- One (1) open-ended Question with a minimum Curiosity Score of 70
- Four (4) Responses with a minimum Curiosity Score of 70
Register on Packback
Register for Packback by navigating to https://app.packback.co/join/4ZC-JND-W8OL[5] and following the instructions. You must use the link provided to be correctly added to the course. You may also use the QR code to the above.
notes
- ↑ This is the general percentage breakdown for these requirements. As I use a point system for evaluation, the percentages are just an estimate.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Amazon has an option to rent the Norton anthology for the semester which you should feel free to use. However, you should note that there may be restrictions on how you’re allowed to use rented textbooks.
- ↑ Of course, those who post more quality responses—especially on texts we cover over more than a week—will score higher. A-students do more than the minimum, right?
- ↑ If you already have an account on Packback you can log in with your credentials.
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