Women in Literature

Gender 2002

Spring 2010
Online

Kimberly M. Radek, Instructor
Office: A-314, (815) 224-0395
kimberly_radek@ivcc.edu

Office Hours: 10-11 AM MWF;
1-2 PM MW; 9-9:30 AM T Th;
 and 12:30-2 PM Th  

This course introduces you to representative works by and about women from historical, social, and literary perspectives as it seeks to inform you about gendered identities. You will learn how gender roles develop and change and how women's views of themselves are reflected in their writing. You will read different literary forms, and you should become able to identify motifs, themes, and stereotypical patterns in that literature. Additionally, you will learn historical, philosophical, religious, and cultural information to help increase your understanding and appreciation of the works. By the end of the course, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the texts, the authors and literary and social movements that produced them, and the elements of those texts, such as symbols, themes, and points of view.

Prerequisites: You will need critical reading and writing skills to successfully complete this course, hence you must have completed English 1001 and 1002 or their equivalents. 

General Education Credit

This course is a general education course, which fulfills a humanities requirement toward your bachelor's degree. It has been accepted by IAI as an H3 911D course, so you know that it will be accepted by all participating schools.  Additionally, this course will help you attain the following goals, deemed central to IVCC's general education program: 

1. To apply analytical and problem solving skills to personal, social, and professional issues and situations.

2. To communicate orally and in writing, socially and interpersonally.

3. To develop an awareness of the contributions made to civilization by the diverse cultures of the world, including those within our own society.

4. To understand and use contemporary technology effectively and to understand its impact on the individual and society.

5. To work and study effectively both individually and in collaboration with others.

6. To understand what it means to act ethically and responsibly as an individual in one’s career and as a member of society.

7. To develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle physically, mentally, and spiritually.

8. To appreciate the ongoing value of learning, self-improvement, and career planning.

Required Texts (See Class Schedule Below)

Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. New York: Fawcett, 1985.

Brown, Dan. The Da Vinci Code. New York: Doubleday, 2003.

Davidson, Dianne Mott. Catering to Nobody. New York: Bantam, 2002.

Naylor, Gloria. Linden Hills. New York: Penguin Books, 1986.

Roberts, Nora. Birthright. New York: Berkley, 2004.

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic, Inc. 1997.

Soles, Derek. The Prentice Hall Pocket Guide to Understanding Literature. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2002. 

Wilson, C. L. Lady of Light and Shadows.  New York: Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc., 2007.

Wilson, C. L. Lord of the Fading Lands.  New York: Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc., 2007.

Other texts, as assigned, including the Xanedu packet, available in the bookstore. 

Grading Scale (%)

    A: 100-90     B: 89-80     C: 79-70     D: 69-60     F: 59-0

Breakdown of Grades 

Class Discussions and Individual Participation: 20%             
Examination #1: 30%
Examination #2: 30%
Gender and Literary Analysis Paper: 20%
            

Class Discussions and Individual Participation:  You are required to participate in class discussions.  As long as you are prepared and can write on the subjects we study, you can earn these points. In each unit, you will see one two, or three discussion prompts. I do expect you to answer each one, using at least 100 words per post and quoting, where necessary, from your reading materials to support your response. I also expect that you will respond to at least two posts by classmates in each topic thread. I will let you know of your approximate discussion grade near or around mid-term. You will be evaluated on your contribution and efforts to the class. Likewise, all homework (if any), group work (if any), extra credit 9if any), and quizzes will be graded and make up part of this category of your grade. 

The Examinations: You will be tested over the material covered in class lecture material, discussions, and assigned readings. The examinations may include short answer, multiple choice, and passage identification questions but will be largely comprised of essay questions. These exams will show that you have read these texts critically and analytically, identifying common themes and gender issues in them, and can write clearly about them.

The Paper: Please type your papers; they must be double-spaced and should follow standard MLA format. Please put the class name and number and the assignment in the subject line. In this gender/literary analysis paper you will determine, analyze, and evaluate the gender messages in a text  you choose as your subject, as you are also evaluating its literary merits. This paper should, of course, have a clearly stated thesis statement in its first paragraph. Papers will be given letter grades that will be converted to percentage points before the final semester grade is calculated, and they will be evaluated on audience, grammar, organization, presentation, spelling, and style as well as content. I do expect that you will use and cite at least two secondary sources--as well as your primary source--in this paper. This is due by 18 April 2010.

Expected Student Behaviors

1. The student will read texts with understanding and appreciation, reacting to and analyzing what he or she has read, by the date(s) they are to be discussed.

2. The student will participate actively to lectures and discussions, asking/submitting questions for clarification on ideas or issues, if needed.

3. The student will participate in discussion, offering his or her insights about the literature or asking the class or instructor for clarification on material he or she does not completely understand.

4. The student will integrate and cite accurately information of other writers, using other writers' opinions, beliefs, and/or observations to support his or her own opinions, beliefs, and/or observations.

5. The student will synthesize lecture, discussion, and text materials to come to a more solid world view on the impact writing and gender have and have had upon history and literature and the impact history and literature have and have had upon writing.

6.  Students will respect each other's personal beliefs and be committed to helping each other learn more about the course information and themselves. Students will help each other become more confident in his or her own unique personal voice and see the authority in his or her own personal experience. 

Plagiarism

The College's policy on plagiarism applies in this class; I will question you if your work does not appear to be your own. Keep all notes, outlines, drafts, and finished assignments so that you can demonstrate that writing you have submitted is your own work, should any question of plagiarism arise.

Attendance

All students must 'e-attend' regularly, as weekly work and discussions are assessed. Besides the obvious loss of points that goes along with not participating in class, there is no other deduction; however, if you decide that you cannot complete the coursework, you must request a withdrawal from me either in person or through e-mail by noon on 12 April 2010. I will not withdraw you from the class, even if you stop contributing, unless you have requested it of me. Keep in mind, too, that withdrawing from a course may jeopardize or change your financial aid, so be sure to consult with a financial aid advisor before committing to a withdrawal.

Assistance

You may be eligible for academic accommodations if you have a physical, psychiatric, or cognitive disability. If you have a disability and need more information regarding possible accommodations, please contact Tina Hardy at 224-0284 or Judy Mika at 224-0350 or stop by IVCC's campus and visit office B-204.

Tentative Class Schedule
 

The Instructor's Homepage | IVCC Homepage 

Contact Kimberly M. Radek, the instructor of Women in Literature, at Kimberly_Radek@ivcc.edu . 

This page was last updated on 13 January 2010 . Copyright Kimberly M. Radek, 2001.