VINCENNES UNIVERSITY PROJECT EXCEL

and

AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL

COURSE SYLLABUS

FOR

INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

LITR 100

3 CREDIT HOURS

Spring Semester, 2018

Austin High School

INSTRUCTOR:

Euleda Turner

Room 208

812-794-8730

[email protected]

I.            Course Catalog Description: An introduction to literature and to three major genres: fiction, poetry, and drama. Emphasis is placed on the ability to read critically and gain an appreciation for literature. This course is a transferIN course. 3 lecture hours.

Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or better in READ 011, or SAT Reading score of 420 or greater, or appropriate placement test scores.

            Writing Reading Intensive Course

II.            Course Designation

 This course is a:

=                  UCC course

=                  Writing/Reading (WR) intensive course

III.            VU Liberal Education Outcomes met by this course:

=                  Engage in articulate expression through critical reading and effective written, oral, and digital communication.

=                  Evaluate ethical behavior as an individual and as a member of local and global communities.

=                  Apply critical and creative thinking skills to solve problems.

=                  Integrate knowledge and perspectives of different disciplines to answer complex questions.

IV.            UCC/State Outcomes met by this course:

6. Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing

6.1. Recognize and describe humanistic, historical, or artistic works or problems and

patterns of the human experience.

6.2. Apply disciplinary methodologies, epistemologies, and traditions of the humanities

and the arts, including the ability to distinguish primary and secondary sources.

6.3. Analyze and evaluate texts, objects, events, or ideas in their cultural, intellectual or historical contexts

6.4. Analyze the concepts and principles of various types of humanistic or artistic

expression.

6.5. Create, interpret, or reinterpret artistic and/or humanistic works through

performance or criticism.

6.6. Develop arguments about forms of human agency or expression grounded in rational

analysis and in an understanding of and respect for spatial, temporal, and cultural

contexts.

6.7.  Analyze diverse narratives and evidence in order to explore the complexity of

human experience across space and time.

1. Written Communication

1.3. Read critically, summarize, apply, analyze, and synthesize information and concepts

in written and visual texts as the basis for developing original ideas and claims.

1.7. Demonstrate proficiency in reading, evaluating, analyzing, and using material collected from electronic sources (such as visual, electronic, library databases, Internet sources, other official databases, federal government databases, reputable blogs, wikis, etc.).

V.            Course Outcomes

            By the end of this class, students will be able to:

=                 Employ critical standards and critical thinking in explicating and analyzing literary               works.

=                 Evaluate a literary work as a reflection of its own time and culture and as it relates to contemporary life.

=                 Construct meaning by selecting and organizing evidence for a literary argument.

=                 Demonstrate interpretive and research skills in written form to create a clear, coherent, and correctly documented paper.

VI.            Course Content

            In this course, students will be expected to:

=                 Identify the major genres of literature: poetry, fiction, drama

=                 Recognize, analyze, and interpret basic elements of literature, including but not limited to theme, plot, conflict, setting, and descriptive language.

=                 Form a greater appreciation for literary styles, authors, and cultures with which they might not already be familiar.

=                 Critically analyze works and express ideas about literature in oral and written form.

=                 Using MLA documentation, compose and submit a documented research paper dealing with literature.

VII.     Course Text and Materials Policy

The following two textbooks have been approved for use in LITR 100

=                 Charters, Ann, and Samuel Charters. Literature and Its Writers. Latest edition.

=                 Willa Cather, My Antonia.

VIII.             Course Grading Policy

In each class, the following percentages will be used for assessment purposes:

a.     20% of the final grade must come from two short essays using proper documentation (WR).

b.    15-20% of the final grade must come from a documented synthesis essay (WR).

c.     15% of the final grade must come from one final exam to be given during the final exam period. The exams should include essay responses and/or short answer responses (WR).

d.    10% of the final grade must come from an oral presentation or other speaking experience (student-led lessons, oral critiques or analyses, etc.). This may be added onto the documented synthesis essay grade or be counted as a separate assignment.

e.     Up to 10% of the final grade may come from participation.

f.      Up to 10% of the final grade may come from quizzes.

g.    Up to 15% of the final grade may come from other assignments (reading journals, blogs, short responses, explications, etc.)

As a Writing Reading (WR) Intensive course, this class meets the following requirements:

=            Writing assignments total a minimum of 2000 words;

=            At least one assignment requires use and documentation of outside sources;

Writing assignments determine at least 30% of the final grade. (If written work will count some percentage less than thirty percent, then with revisions, all written work must achieve a passing grade. In the case of option 2, failure to complete writing assignments with an average grade of C or higher will result in failure of the course.)

• Course Policies

(1)  Vincennes University Attendance policy

The Vincennes University policy is premised upon the notion that students will attend all sessions of the classes in which they are enrolled. This policy supports Vincennes University's philosophy that students benefit most from the people and facilities provided by the citizens of Indiana through proper and adequate class attendance. Consequently, missing class for any reason will be regarded as an absence. When absences result from an approved and required University activity, they will not be counted against a student, and the work missed may be made up.

Vincennes University believes that students who participate in University-sponsored activities and faculty-developed field trips must develop habits of attendance consistent with such participation, or voluntarily refrain from such participation. For whatever reason an absence occurs, the student is responsible for the work missed.

(2) Make-up work and late work

Late assignments will receive a 5% late penalty per day late including weekends.

Quizzes are given in class during the first ten minutes. Quizzes cannot be made up. Late arrivals may not take a quiz already in progress.

Tests are clearly marked on the schedule. Tests missed due to an unexcused absence may not be taken. Tests missed due to an excused absence must be taken as soon as you return and you must provide a verified Request for Make Up Privileges from the Dean of Students' Office. 

(3) Use of electronic devices in class

• :  While technology has a place in this course, you will not need your laptop during class time unless specified by the instructor.  Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices should be turned off and out of sight for the duration of class.  Blackberries, iPads, iPhones, etc., are not acceptable means of note taking for this class.  If your cell phone is out, your instructor will assume that you are texting and you will be asked to put your cell phone away.  Please remove your earbuds and turn off your music when entering the classroom.  These items are a distraction and not conducive to a productive learning environment.  Students who ignore this policy run the risk of being counted absent or asked to leave class.  If you have a documented accommodation for using an electronic device during class time, it is your responsibility to talk to the instructor during the first week of classes.

(4) Instructor’s Academic Dishonesty Policy/Statement

Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism, cheating, submitting another person’s material as one’s own, or doing work for which another person will receive academic credit. The benchmarks of any great college are directly related to standards of academic endeavor on the part of both teacher and student. It is in this relationship that truth and honesty are recognized as fundamental to a university community. The University expects students to adhere to these principles and in so doing to foster the ideals for which the University was founded. Put simply, this means that the student will do his/her own academic work.

For violation under this section, the professor will notify the department chairperson and the division dean in writing of the circumstances if any punitive action is taken. The student shall have the right of appeal of the professor’s decision per the Student Grievance Policy. The alternatives for action by the professor may include, but not be limited to, failing grade of the assignment, or the course, or the withdrawal from the course. The student will also be referred to the Dean of Students, who will determine appropriate disciplinary action in keeping with procedures used in the handling of other types of student conduct situations

(5) Disabilities Services Policy

The Office of Disability Services reviews requests and determines appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with psychological, physical, sensory, communicative and/or learning disabilities should seek out this office as soon as possible after admission to VU if they require academic accommodations. The student will be required to provide copies of medical or psychometric evaluations that document the presence of a disability and the impact of the disability on the student's level of functioning. The Office of Disability Services also coordinates the availability of assistive technology at various campus locations to provide accessible classroom materials and equipment. Vincennes University complies with the requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to assure the rights of individuals with disabilities to fair, non-discriminatory treatment. The Office of Disability Services is located at the South Entrance of Vigo Hall. The phone number is 812-888-4501. Specific procedures for requesting an accommodation for a disability may be found at the Office of Disability Services website at www.vinu.edu/DisabilityServices . Students that will be requesting accommodations should view the Disability Services website for documentation requirements.

• Standard of Student Behavior

Student need to be aware that violations of the University Standard of Student Behavior as listed in the Vu Catalog may result in some form or disciplinary action.

• Content/Schedule change statement

The instructional schedule reflects expected class progress in the course subject matter and is considered tentative. The schedule is subject to change in content and scope at the instructor’s discretion. As changes are made the instructor will promptly notify the students.

X.                               Instructional Methodologies/Activities/Grading Specifics

Introductory lectures will be provided over the three genres, but the majority of class time will be spent in discussion of the literature. For each class meeting, students are required to have read selections from the anthology and come to class prepared to discuss them. Through class discussion students will learn how to interpret the literature. 

In each class the following percentages will be used for assessment purposes:

a.     Quizzes/Group Work                                                                        10%

b.    Reflective Writing/In-Class Writing/Responses                                     5% (WR)

This may be fulfilled by in-class writing on either assigned

readings or as assigned self-reflections or by out-of-class

responses on assigned readings.

c.     Critical & Creative Writing (one essay per unit)                                     15% (WR)

Fiction
Drama
Poetry

d.    Researched Essay (3-5 pages)                                                             15% (WR)

e.     Presentation                                                                                                10%

f.      Tests (3 - one per unit)                                                                        45% (WR)

Each exam should include a minimum of one essay question worth a minimum of 5% of the exam total.

The third unit exam should be given as a final exam and include a comprehensive essay question.

Students will respond to the readings in a variety of ways, including the following:

=            Discussion both individual and group led

=            Writing Assignments including the following:

o   Researched Essay: Students will prepare a 3-5 page paper, using MLA style of organization and documentation. The paper must be the original work of the student and must be taken through a process of writing, including at least one revision before the final paper is submitted for grading. The final paper will be typed (12 point size Times New Roman font), double-spaced on 8½ x 11” unlined paper. Minimum standards of writing and grammar usage must be met. The grading criteria for English Composition I will be used to evaluate the paper for this course. 

o   Assignments for Thinking about Literature: 

o   Critical writing: Students will complete short essays about literature that reflect their understanding of literary themes or genres (fiction, drama, and poetry).

o   Creative writing: Students may also complete a creative writing assignment during one or more of the genre units (fiction, drama, and poetry). Note: This can only be used as a supplement to the “Critical writing” section above—it is not a substitute for it.

o   Reflective Writing/In-Class Writing/Responses: This may be fulfilled by in-class writing on either assigned readings or as assigned self-reflections or by out-of-class responses on assigned readings.

=            Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes will be given over assigned reading material. A test will be given over the completion of each genre.

=            Oral Presentation: During the semester, there will be an oral presentation. 

Grading Scale:

A            =            93-100

A-            =            90-92

B+            =            87-89

B            =            83-86

B-            =            80-82

C+            =            77-79

C            =            70-76

D            =            60-69

F            =            59 and below           

• Course Calendar/Schedule/Assignments

Mrs. Turner

Austin High School

Spring Semester, 2017

Literature 100 Syllabus

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS

Charters, Ann and Samuel Charters. Literature and Its Writers, Fifth Edition. Boston:

Bedford / St. Martins, 2010. Print.

Beers, Kylene, and Lee Odell, eds. Holt Elements of Literature, Fifth Course. Austin: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2008.

Irvin, Judith, et.al. Holt Elements of Language, Sixth Course.  Austin: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2009.

English I Vocabulary Cards Academic Study Card Set.Visual Education. Springfield, Ohio.

In-Class Journal – 70 p. spiral notebook, Pens (blue or black), paper

Notebook or binder for organization of all notes, class materials, and assignments

A portion of this notebook will be dedicated as a Reader’s Notebook for notes pertaining to every piece of literature assigned.

TIME SCHEDULE

This schedule is subject to change.

Week 1 (January 3-6)

                        Class expectations, course information

                        Journal writing

                        Thoreau – “Walden” and “Civil Disobedience” Elements of Literature

                                        Quiz/Socrative/Group work

                        Vocabulary (301+)

Week 2 (January 9 - 11)

                        M.L. King and Gandhi – Civil Disobedience   Elements of Literature

Journal writing

                        Vocabulary (321+)

                        Vincennes Registration/ Accuplacer testing

Week 3 (January 16-20)

                        Vocabulary (341+)

                        Short story genre

                        Assignments:            “What is a Short Story?” (9-13) 
                                                Grace Paley, “Samuel” 

                                                “Elements of Fiction” (14-23) terms/ notes 

           “Art of the Short Story” (24-33)

                                               “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” (35)

Week 4 (January 23-27)

                        “An Act of Vengeance” Isabel Allende

                        “Happy Endings” by Margaret Atwood

                        Quiz and discussion – Reader’s Journal

                        Write another ending; discussion of plot/theme

Journal writing

Vocabulary (361+)

Week 5 (February 6-10)

                        “Sonny’s Blues” (49) by James Baldwin

                        Quiz, discussion

                        Small group work with groups divided thematically to engage in a                                                             discussion of the story
                        Essays assigned - Thematic analysis

                        Vocabulary (381+)

Week 6 (February 13-17)

                        Journal writing

Vocabulary (401+)

                        First draft of thematic essay due for peer edit

                        Literary essay due – thematic analysis (MLA)

Week 7 (February 20-24)

                        Journal writing

                        Vocabulary (421+)

                        “The Lesson” (73) by Toni Cade Bambara

“Story of an Hour” (121) by Kate Chopin

Quizzes, discussion

Week 8 (February 27 – March 3)

Journal writing

“Desiree’s Baby” (117) by Kate Chopin

“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson (235) + commentary

                        Quiz, story discussion

Week 9 (March 6-10)

                        Vocabulary (441+)

                        “To Build a Fire” by Jack London (334)

                        “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant (345)

                        “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe (467)

                        Quizzes, story discussion

Week 10 (March 13-17)

                        Vocabulary (461+)

                        Writing dialogue for performance

                        Groups assigned for adaptation of short stories to plays to be recorded and                                                 presented in class

                        Short Story Test

                        The Crucible

Spring Break

Week 11 (March 27-31)

                        The Crucible

                        SAT practice

                        Vocabulary (481+)           

                        Group work on dialogue and performance projects

Week 12 (April 3-7)

                        Finish performance projects and dialogue

                        Begin work on original short story

                        Novel assigned: The Scarlet Letter

Week 13 (April 10-14)

                        Share performance projects - Dialogue

                        Original short stories due

                        Discussion, quizzes – The Scarlet Letter

Week 14 (April 17-21)

                        Literary Essay assigned: The Scarlet Letter (3-5 pages, MLA)

                        Paper Conferences with Ms. Turner

Week 15 (April 24-28)

                        Peer edit and final paper due

                        “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams (1374) 

                        Drama terms

Week 16 (May 1 - 5)

                        Drama Test

                        Chapter 7: “What Is a Poem?” (699)

                        Chapter 8: “The Elements of Poetry: A Poet’s Means” (709)

                        Chapter 9: “The Elements of Poetry: A Poet’s Meaning” (727)

                        Notes – poetry terms

                        Assignments: Write a poem and choose a poet for a presentation.

Week 17 (May 8-12)

                        Chapters 10 and 11: “The Types of Poetry…” (748)

                        Journal writing and note taking

                        Original poems – peer sharing and revisions

                        Original poem due

Poems of Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and Langston Hughes

                        Poetry presentations           

Week 18 (May 15-19)

                        Finish Poetry presentations

                        Poetry Test

Week 19 (May 22-26)

                         FINAL EXAMS

                         ESSAY TEST