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LIE 202-01 Major English Writers II Spring 1999 M/W/F 9:00-9:50 a.m.

INSTRUCTOR

R. Rambo. Office: A313. Phone: 224-2720 x338. E-mail: rrambo@theramp.net and rambo@ivcc.edu. Instructor’s Home Page: http://www.ivcc.edu/rambo

Office Hours
Monday: 10:00-10:45 a.m., 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Tuesday: 11:30-12:15 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00-10:45 a.m., 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Thursday: 11:30-12:15 p.m.
Friday: 10:00-10:45 a.m., 12:30-1:45 p.m.
(and by appointment)

REQUIRED TEXT

Abrams, M. H., gen. ed. The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Major Authors. 6^th ed. New York: Norton,

1996.

Dickens, Charles. Hard Times. 2^nd ed. New York: Norton, 1990.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

LIE 202 is an examination of representative works by major English writers from the romantic period to the twentieth century, with an emphasis given to close and careful readings of the texts and to the political, religious, socio-economic, and philosophical forces that have helped to shape those texts. While some lecturing will be inevitable, students are expected to participate actively in class discussions by offering their own comments and observations on the works we are examining. (Note: Both ENG 101 and ENG 102, or their equivalents, are prerequisites for this course.)

EXPECTED STUDENT OUTCOMES

Students successfully completing LIE 202 will be able to

1. Read literary texts with appreciation and understanding.
2. Understand a variety of critical approaches to literary texts.
3. Understand the significant literary movements in English literature from the romantic period to the twentieth century.
4. Demonstrate a familiarity with the works of major English writers from the romantic period to the twentieth century.
5. Recognize some of the political, religious, socio-economic, and philosophical forces that inform English literature from the romantic period to the twentieth century.
6. Approach literary texts by writers covered in the course with an understanding of the characteristics and common concerns and themes of the writers’ works.
7. Identify and explain important elements of literary texts, such as symbols, metaphors, personification, and point of view.
8. React to texts by formulating well-supported and well-argued interpretations of the texts.
9. Organize, develop, and support written interpretations of literary texts.

COURSE WORK AND ASSESSMENT

Written Responses to Assignments: Each week, I will give you one or two questions concerning issues and problems arising from the assigned readings. These questions, and your responses to them, will then serve as our basis for discussion of the works. Before class, you are to write well-developed responses to these questions (about one handwritten page for each response). These responses can be "informal" reactions to the texts, and your responses will be assessed according to clarity, insight, and the support and development of ideas. I will collect each response at the beginning of the class period when it is due.

Exams: You will have a total of three exams (including the final exam). The exams will include definitions of important terms and short responses to passages discussed in class. The exams primarily will assess your comprehension of information presented in class.

Research Papers: You will be required to write two 5 to 7 page research papers, one due near the middle of the semester, the other due near the end (specific due dates will be given in class.) The first research paper will be on a text or texts of your choice from the assigned readings; the second research paper will be on Dickens’ Hard Times. You may incorporate material from your written responses into your papers. Criteria for assessment of the research paper include the ability to organize, develop, and support interpretations of literary texts, as well as the ability to locate, incorporate, and properly document sources relevant to the interpretation. (Additional information concerning the research paper will be given in class.)

Quizzes: You will have frequent short quizzes (usually at least one quiz each week) testing your comprehension of the reading assignments.

Your final course grade will be determined as follows:

*Note: At the end of the course, I will average your grade for all written responses. Then, depending on the quality and extent of your participation in the course, this grade will be raised, will remain the same, or will be lowered. More than three absences will automatically lower the "Written Response and Attendance/Participation" grade by one letter.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE

1. Attend class regularly. More than three absence may result in a lowered course grade, and more than six absences may result in an automatic withdrawal from the course without warning. Absence is no excuse for late work, and it is your responsibility to contact me about missed work if you are absent. Being late for two class meetings will count as one absence.
2. Come to class prepared, and do not come to class if you are unprepared. You are expected to read all assignments carefully and with understanding and to have all reading assignments completed on time. Quizzes over assigned readings cannot be made up, and written responses must be submitted when they are due. The research papers must be submitted by the due date given in class; late papers will not be accepted. Exams can be made up only in special (and rare) circumstances.
3. Be an active participant in the class. Active and meaningful student participation is encouraged and expected, so ask questions, offer comments and suggestions, make a contribution to the exchange of ideas in the classroom. More than anything else, our class should be a forum where we can discuss some great literature. However, students should not confuse participation with disruption: any student demonstrating inappropriate or disruptive classroom behavior will be withdrawn from the course.
4. Be willing to work. A genuine desire to succeed and to learn can take you far, so be willing to work: read and reread and study the texts carefully; use a dictionary; write down questions and comments about the texts as you are reading them; ask questions in class; and share your comments with the rest of us. If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns about the course and your work in it, please feel free to stop by my office.