Vannatta: Approaches to Literature. (Note: During Stabler Hall renovation I will not have an office. Feel free to contact me at dpvannatta@ualr.edu.)

SYLLABUS

Texts: Booth, The Norton Introduction to Literature, 9th ed.; Garibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th ed.; Conrad, Heart of Darkness: An Authoritative Text, Backgrounds, Sources, Criticism, 3rd ed.

Course Instructions.

Learning Objectives. The goal of this course is to introduce the student to the study of literature as it is conducted in upper-level English classes. Students will learn to do research in traditional print forms and on the internet; to incorporate into and document the results of their research in formal essays; to format formal essays; to analyze, discuss, and write about the major genres of literature; and to understand and employ a variety of critical approaches in their discussion and writing.

Important Notice to English Majors with a Secondary Education Minor: In keeping with the accreditation requirements of NCATE/NCTE, our English Secondary education program’s accrediting agency, we must asses the progress of all students pursuing a B.A. in English with certification in Secondary Education in order to verify that our courses are enabling them to meet the prescribed NCATE/NCTE standards in English Language Arts competencies. Please take the time to identify yourself to the instructor as this semester commences so that arrangements can be made to assess how well this course, Eng. 3330, is fulfilling those mandated requirements. Please know that it is the program, not you as an individual student, that is being assessed. Nevertheless, all Secondary Ed. minors must prepare a portfolio of these assessment assignments as a part of the program review. This course, Eng. 3330, is designated as one that addresses the following competencies: an understanding of a range of literary theory and criticism and their effect on reading and interpretive approaches; an understanding of a wide variety of literary genres; understanding of a variety of ways to critique a variety of print texts for multiple purposes.

Grading. Your will have seven major grades: a library project, three shorter essays, one longer essay (the last one; it counts twice in the course grade), and class participation (includes small assignments made in class) and attendance, which together count as one major grade. Attendance is graded as follows: 0-3 misses=A, 4=B, 5=C, over 5=F. (Note: all absences count in this scale; there are no “excused” or “unexcused” absences. I take role at the beginning of class. If you come in late, it is your responsibility, by seeing me after class, to make sure I knew you were there. Do not abuse this. Be here on time.) In addition, you may choose to do an optional oral report (assigned later); a satisfactory report will raise the mark on one major grade (but not paper #4) by one letter grade (i.e., from C+ to B+). Finally, I will accept one and only one late paper (or the library project) from you--but not the last paper. Late essays must be turned in within one week of the original due date.

Note to English Majors and Secondary Ed. minors. It’s a good idea to keep all papers written in upper-level English courses for possible inclusion in your portfolios.

Students with Disabilities.  It is the policy of UALR to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law. Any student with a disability who needs accommodation, for example in seating placement or in Arrangements for examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. The chair of the department offering the course is also available to assist with accommodations. Students with disabilities are also encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services, which is located in the Donaghey Student Center, Rm. 103, phone 569-3143, and on the Web at ‹http://www.ualr.edu/dssdept/›.