English 2329: Introduction to Literary Studies

Instructor: Dr. Tony Perrello

Office: Academic Bldg, 039B

Hours: MWF, 8-9; 10-11; 12-1:00

TH, 12:30-1:30

Phone: 942-2273, x 237

Course Description: English 2329 fulfills the core curricular requirement in literature at Angelo State University, though this course is specifically designed for English majors and minors and other students with a keen interest in the study of literature. In this class we will read, discuss, and produce written analyses of a variety of literary texts in order to better understand historical, political, cultural, and formalistic aspects of the works and form aesthetic judgments. To a greater degree than the other sophomore-level literature courses (English 2323, 2324, and 2325), English 2329 stresses analytical writing, literary theory, and proper literary terminology—the tools of the successful English major.

The prerequisite for all sophomore literature courses is credit for English 1301 and 1302 either by satisfactorily completing these courses or by receiving credit by examination.

Course Objectives:

Upon completing English 2329: Introduction to Literary Studies, you should understand…

the use of literary theory as a context for writing
the interactions among history, culture, politics, and literature
the scope and variety of literature
the form and function of literature
literary terminology relevant to the works studied
methods of responding to literature analytically

Required Materials: The following books are required for this course. I expect every student to own a personal copy of each. All books are available at the campus bookstore.

Jacobs, Heidi, ed. Glossary of Literary and Critical Terms. New York: Longman, 2003.

Johnson, Denis. Jesus’ Son. New York: HarperPerennial, 1993.

Lynn, Stephen, ed. Literature: Reading and Writing with Critical Strategies. New York:

Pearson Education, Inc., 2004.

Grading: Course work includes five 2-3 page critical essays, a short research paper, a comprehensive final exam, quizzes, in-class writing assignments, class discussion, group work, and a final examination. The final grade breaks down as follows:

5 Critical Essays: 50%

Research Essay: 15%

Final Exam: 15%

Quizzes / In-Class Writing: 10%

Class Participation: 10%

Grading is done on a 10-point scale (90-100= A; 80-89= B; etc.).

Explanation of Course Content:

Essays: I will assign 5 critical essays and one research essay in the course of the semester. For each, you must write a well-organized, original paper. For the critical essays, I will ask you to analyze literary texts using specific critical approaches as described in our textbook. One or more of these may be written in-class, but most of them will be typed. These will typically be short, 2-3 page investigations. The research paper, which must be typed and documented in MLA style, will be slightly longer (4-5 pages). Essays will be graded on the basis of style, persuasiveness, acumen, and analytical quality. For the specific grading criteria I follow, click here. Essays completed outside of class must be typed, double spaced, and written in a normal, twelve-point font. Set margins at one inch all around the page. Also, you are responsible for turning in a hard copy of your work along with an electronic version saved on a computer disk reserved for this class. Save all of your work on this disk for the entire semester. Write your essays in either Word or WordPerfect format.

Final Exam: There will be a final exam during exam week. The exam will be comprehensive in scope, testing your knowledge of course content and the critical skills you’d practiced throughout the semester. The exam may be any combination of identification, short-answer, essay, etc.

Quizzes / In-Class Writing: Be prepared for class by doing the reading for any given day, because I will quiz you in a variety of ways. I may ask for relatively minor homework assignments to be turned in. I may give you simple pop quizzes. I may ask you to answer questions in writing in class, often ad lib responses to the reading before class discussion begins. These homework assignments and quizzes will receive numerical grades (points), and these cannot be made-up.

Class Participation: In order to succeed in this course, each student must be completely prepared with all assigned reading and must undertake an active, responsible role in all classroom activities. The 10% for class participation is not awarded simply for attendance. Each student must earn it by contributing to the exchange of ideas upon which every successful course depends. As far as classroom decorum goes, here are some guidelines: don’t talk disruptively, especially when others are talking. Have your textbook with you every class, and have it on your desk and opened to the relevant pages. Take notes. Don’t read the paper or do work for other courses in class. Falling asleep in class is the height of rudeness. Don’t behave as if I’m on television and I can’t see or hear you. So, an average participation score indicates that you are present, prompt, and prepared for class. A superior score in this area indicates that you offer constructive, thoughtful feedback and respect others and their opinions. Serious participation in group work, effort, and general niceness also play a part in your participation score.

Rules and Regulations:

Attendance: You should attend every class meeting. I will take attendance during the first five minutes of class each day. Anyone not present during roll will be marked absent. If you are late and miss roll, it is up to you to see that I correct the roll that same day; failure to do so means the absence is permanent. Each student is allowed two unexcused absences on a TTH schedule—three on a MWF schedule—without penalty. For each subsequent absence, 3 points will be deducted from you final semester grade. Further, you are responsible for keeping up with the syllabus during any absence. Finally, eight absences on a TTH schedule or ten absences on a MWF schedule constitute grounds for failing this course. I value your presence in class, so please come.

Note: To avoid interrupting class, please turn off all pagers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.

Late Work: For the purposes of this class, late means late. All work is due at the beginning of class on the due date. Missing class or coming late on the day an assignment is due in no way excuses you form submitting work on time. I will not accept late work.

Academic Integrity: Angelo State University expects its students to maintain complete honesty and integrity in their academic pursuits. Students are responsible for understanding the Academic Honor Code, which is contained in both print and web versions of the Student Handbook. You are responsible for knowing what plagiarism is and avoiding it. This, and any other form of cheating, such as downloading or buying papers off of the internet, having someone else write a paper for you, and so on, can’t be tolerated in college. Copying from another person’s quiz or test paper or other forms of cheating on in-class written assignments are just as egregious. Your integrity, as well as that of the entire academic community, is at stake. Please make sure all work is original, individual, and done specifically for this class. Failure of the class is the most likely penalty you will face for such infractions.

Students with Special Needs: Students who require extra help, space, or time to complete assignments should speak to me as soon as possible.

Weekly schedule of assignments (subject to change and augmentation as the semester’s obligations develop):

Week 1 (8/30-9/3)

Lynn, Chapters 1-3

Week 2 (9/6-9/10)

Lynn, Chapter 4: Reader Response Criticism

M, 9/6: Labor Day Holiday

Week 3 (9/13-9/17)

Lynn, Chapter 13: Elements of Poetry

Essay #1 Due: A Responsive Reading

Week 4 (9/20-9-24)

Lynn, Chapter 5: New Criticism

Week 5 (9/27-10/1)

Lynn, Chapter 7: Political Criticism

Essay #2 Due: A New Critical Reading

Week 6 (10/4-10/8)

Lynn, Chapter 10: Elements of Fiction

From Lynn, Chapter 11: Gilman, “The Yellow Wallpaper”

Week 7 (10/11-10/15)

Lynn, Chapter 8: Biographical, Historical, and New Historical Criticism

From Lynn, Chapter 11: O’Connor, “Revelation”

Week 8 (10/18-10/22)

Jesus’ Son
Essay #3 Due: A Political Reading

Week 9 (10/25-10/29)

Jesus’ Son

TH, 10/28-F, 10/29: Prof. at SCMLA

Week 10 (11/1-11/5)

Lynn, Chapter 9: Psychological Criticism

Lynn, Chapter 17: Elements of Drama

From Chapter 18: begin Oedipus Rex; read introductory material

Week 11 (11/8-11/12)

Chapter 18, continued: finish Oedipus Rex; read “Critical Viewpoints” and “Suggestions for Writing”

Essay #4 Due: A Biographical/Historical Reading

Week 12 (11/15-11/19)

Chapter 18, continued: begin Hamlet; read introductory material

TH, 11/18-F, 11-19: Prof. at Lilly Conference

Essay #5 Due: A Psychological Reading (in-class essay)

Week 13 (11/22-11/26)

Lynn, Appendix A: Research and Documentation

Continue Hamlet

TH, 11/25-F, 11/26: Thanksgiving Holiday

Week 14 (11/29-12/3)

Finish Hamlet; read “Critical Viewpoints” and “Suggestions for Writing”

Week 15 (12/6-12/10)

Research Paper Due