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Introduction to Literature EGL 102Literature & Life: Exploring the World Through Written Language

Fall 2011-Professor J. Mignano-BradyOffice Hours Mon & Wed 9:30am-12:30pmKnapp Hall /Writing Center

Email:bradyj@farmingdale.eduBlog:http://literatureforthesoul.blogspot.com/

Course Description: Students will be introduced to numerous authors by reading a variety ofshort stories, plays and poetry. The course encourages students to explore the many facets oflife that contribute to diverse themes read and discussed within the text. There will be adistinct focus on interpretation and in- depth discussion of the literature. Students will beginanalytical reading and writing throughout the semester. Literature and Life: The World ThroughWritten Language, will enhance critical thinking, analytical and interpretive skills. This class isan introduction to literature and therefore class participants will be introduced to a variety of

authors, playwrights and poets. A strong emphasis will be placed on critical thinking. Collegewriting standards will be strongly emphasized in addition to creative thinking and writing.Students will be asked to write academic papers that reflect the concepts explored in class andin the text.Literature and Life will touch upon some of the classics as well as somecontemporary works.

Objectives/Goals:

Evaluate and analyze literary themes, devices and elements. Analyze and discuss the authors purpose, audience and point of view. Identify, explore and appreciate form and structure. Examine and discuss literary time periods as they relate to author, purpose, point of view and

audience. Critically think about concepts that are communicated in the literature as well as introduce

new concepts. Compare, contrast, make connections, inferences and predict outcomes based on the literature. Communication: Participate in debates, presentations, group discussions, group projects and

creative writing. Read, analyze, discuss and write about poetry and poets. Participate in a writing community by reading, discussing and responding to other writers on

the blog and in class.

Develop critical thinking and analytical skills by participating in online discussions based onclass lectures and various works of literature.

Cultivatea love of literature that enablesyouto construct ideas, develop ideas and contextualizethem.

Construct well -developed and analytical papers based on critically thinking about theme,character, plot, time period, author and literary elements.

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Acquire the skills necessary to develop into an active member of a learning community ofreaders and writers.

Reading:You will be asked to read selections from the text in addition to related materials onthe blog. On occasion, you will be asked to download materials, print them and bring them to

class the following day. Reading assignments will be given at the end of each class and/orblog. It is important that you read the selections so that you can participate in classdiscussions, workshops, fishbowls, homework assignments and group projects. You will havethe opportunity to obtain information about reading selections and due dates in class and onthe blog. I may post weekly reading assignments and due dates on the blog. However, the bestway to get information is to be in class. Arbitrarily, I will post a reading selection on the blogand ask the class to write a written response on the blog. The class will be notified of anyonline written assignments in advance.* The first step to effective writing and critical thinking is READING. It is imperative thatyou take the time to read the selections in order to participate in class discussions and

writing workshops.

Writing: Congratulations on all of your hard work! If you are in this class you have completedall of the requirements of EGL 101. This class will require you to write about literature as itrelates to the world we live in. This will include themes, devices, time periods, authors andpurpose. You will be encouraged to think critically about the literature and write aboutcharacters and concepts analytically on an academic level. MLA format is required. All papersshould be written in MLA format. You will be asked to incorporate quotes and use in -textparenthetical citation. You may want to purchase a folder. This will serve as a writingportfolio. Keeping a portfolio is an excellent way to organize, edit, reflect and revise yourwritten work. I have set aside some time for creative writing both on the blog and in class. Inaddition to analytical writing you will have the opportunity to write poetry. *My goal is tofacilitate in the process ofencouraging all students to develop a love of literature that transcends theclassroom.

Materials:Required Text,Notebook, Folder, Pocket Dictionary

Motto: Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm-Ralph Waldo EmersonEssayist & poet (1803 - 1882)

The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the

impossible. -Arthur C. Clarke

Required Text:

Booth, Allison, and Kelly J. Mays. The Norton Introduction to Literature. Portable 10th ed.New York, London: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011,2006. Print.

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Assessment:

Participation 15% (Attendance/ All Classwork/ Socratic Seminar and Literature Circles)

Paper 1 10%Paper 2 10% -Paper 3- 15%Midterm 15% - In Class EssayFinal 20%Additional Assignments 15% (Blog Assignments)

Note: Papers will be anywhere between 2-5 pages.

Attendance/ Late Policy:Due to the intense nature of this course. It is critical that you maintain

a good attendance record. You should not miss more than 3 classes before your grade isthreatened. Failure to make up missing work will greatly affect your grade. Try not to be late.If you are late three times it will count as one absence. Attending class on a regular basis andon time is paramount to your success both in this class and as a college student. Students areresponsible for notes and assignments.It is your responsibility to make up the work youmissed should you be absent. Teacher may post some assignments on the blog.

According to Farmingdale State College, plagiarism is the dishonest use of the work of others.It is using another person's ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging thesource. You want to do everything possible to avoid plagiarism.

Plagiarism is:

y Using ideas without acknowledging the sourcey Paraphrasing someone else's argument as your owny Presenting someone else's line of thinking in the development of an idea as if it were

your own

y Presenting the entire paper or a major part of it developed exactly on someone else'sline of thinking or arrangement of ideas even though you acknowledge the source(s) inparentheses (www.farmingdale.edu).

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Rules for Revising:In order to be fair and reasonable, the rules for revising are as follows:

y If you receive a grade lower than a B you have the opportunity to revise your paper andhand it in for a higher grade one week after you receive the first grade.

y You must receive a B- or less to be given the opportunity to revise. You may not reviseyour paper if you receive a B.

y The highest grade that you can receive once you have revised your paper is a B.y This ensures that students who receive a B on the first draft are graded fairly.y A papers are exceptional papers. A papers go above and beyond. A grades are given to

students who show exceptional and exemplary work.

y The grading system is designed so that all students have the opportunity to progress andtherefore the grading scale reflects percentages that allow for such progression.

y If you are interested in handing in your paper early and would like to go over it with meahead of time, you are more than welcome to do so.

*Note-Participation is worth 15% of your overall grade. If you are a B or B+ student, youhave the opportunity to receive an A in the class just by showing up everyday and bringingsomething to the table. More Importantly, Have Fun! It is my goal to ensure that you havea genuinely engaging and fulfilling experience this semester.

Very Important: As a member of a community of learners and an active

participant in this class, please turn your phone off/vibrate before you enter

the classroom. If you are texting during class discussions, lectures or

fishbowls you are distracting the teacher and your classmates and may be

asked to leave.

Writing Calendar: Fall 2011- Attached