Monday, July 20, 2009

Bradford 8G1 General Education Literature Spring 08 Syllabus

Syllabus

Adam Bradford

(adamcbradford@gmail.com)

Office: 420 EPB, Hours – T: 9:30 -12:30

Mailbox: 308 EPB (below my name)

Course Description

On possible way to describe this "Interpretation of Literature" course would be to say that it is a course as interested in “making” meanings as finding them. We will dispense with the idea that the authors have deposited a fixed, complete “meaning” into texts which we strain in order to more or less accurately extract that meaning, and instead we will acknowledge our own central role – as readers – in using the materials presented to generate meaning. Certainly we will pay attention to any social and historical conditions that have influenced the author as he or she wrote the text, as well as how that author has worked to influence our act of reading, giving us a text that makes use of certain words, narrative forms, tropes, - even illustrations, type, and paper – but in this class our chief concern will be with making these texts “mean” something to us, and with examining how and why we have constructed the meanings we have. In doing so, we will be acknowledging that reading literature (or any document for that matter) is a collaborative process of “making meaning” out of the linguistic and material “stuff” we have been presented with. Simply said, our goal in this class is not to interpret literature in order to reach its “true” meaning, rather our goal is to engage in active, thoughtful, “meaningful” interpretation given the parameters offered us by an author and our own peculiar modes/lenses of reading. Because of our emphasis on readerly intepretations, this class cannot function unless you come prepared – doing so will make this class a “meaningful” success.

Required Materials: (All books available at the University Bookstore/IMU):

Morrison, Toni. Sula. (Random House)

Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse Five. (Dell)

Literature: A Portable Anthology, eds. Janet E. Gardner, Beverly Lawn, Jack Ridl,

and Peter Schakel. (Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press)

A few dollars for printing/copying

Coursework

A large portion of your grade (20%) will come from your participation in class. This means that you must do the reading and you must come prepared to talk about what you have read. In addition to your participation in class, you will be responsible for completing a variety of shorter writings ( which may include reader responses, reader’s autobiography, class activity writing assignments), an in-class presentation, two critical essays, and a final exam. You will also be responsible for contributing to our class through consistent, lively class participation. The University of Iowa expects a 3-hour credit course to entail at least 6 hours of outside preparation per week by students – this is approximately the time commitment require by this class.

Grading

Essay #1 15%

Essay #2 20%

Shorter Writings 20%

Presentation 10%

Final 15%

Participation 20%

Grades for the course will be given on an A,B,C,D,F scale (with plus and minuses). The average grade in this course is a C. This grade means that you have met all of the basic requirements of the course, produced competent college-level work, and participated regularly in class discussions. To earn a B you must produce well-crafted work that shows signs of revision, careful thought, and moments of real insight. In addition, you must participate regularly in class discussions. To Earn an A you must produce outstanding, well-polished work that demonstrates significant effort, focused creativity and sustained insight - regular, thoughtful class participation is also required. A grade of D or lower means that you have not shown consistent work in your assignments, have not made suitable attempts to improve your work, and have not participated regularly in class discussions, thereby failing to meet the minimum requirements for this class.

Grades for assignments will be given on an A, B, C, D, F scale (with plus and minuses) with the exception of some of the shorter writings (in which case a 5-1 point scale will be used with 5 being the highest). I am happy to discuss grades with you during my office hours and by appointment. I cannot discuss grades over email.

Attendance

Your attendance is crucial to the success of this class and to your overall grade. You cannot be a regular participant if you are not in attendance. Therefore, attendance in this course is required and will be taken daily. More than two absences will unquestionably affect your participation grade, and nine or more absences will result in a failing grade for the class. Excused absences are permitted, but require documentation on your return to class. Examples of excused absences include: illness, authorized University activities, religious holidays, etc. In addition, if you know you will be absent on a particular day, please see or email me in advance of the absence to discuss make-up work.

Late Work

All work is to be submitted at the beginning of class on the day that it is due – or by the submit time specified on ICON for any work submitted there. I will allow a 24 hour grace period for any written work to be handed in before discounting the grade of the assignment – thereafter, your work will be discounted one letter grade for each calendar day it is late. Students whose excused University absence is known about ahead of time are responsible for turning in their work prior to the due date, or according to arrangements made with me well in advance of the absence. Students whose excused University absence is unplanned can meet with me individually after the absence to discuss the situation.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas or words without acknowledging where you got them. Plagiarism constitutes cheating and is taken extremely seriously. Do Not Plagiarize. If you copy words or ideas from any source – published or unpublished – and do not use quotation marks and cite your source, you are committing plagiarism. I will assign a grade of “0” to any plagiarized work and refer the student to the college for further disciplinary action. University penalties for plagiarism include academic probation, suspension, and expulsion. Again, Do Not Plagiarize. For more information see the General Education Literature Departments statement on plagiarism here.

Class Grievances

Please feel free to discuss with me any problem that arises within the context of this class. You are welcome to ask any questions or make any comments about what is happening in the course throughout the semester. If you ever feel that I have not given you a fair hearing, you may direct your concerns to the following people:

Coursework Concerns: Program Associates

64 EPB, 335-0484

Grade Concerns: Program Associates

64 EPB, 335-0484

Mark Bresnan, Laura Capp or Tom Keegan

All other Concerns: Brooks Landon, Program Director

Brooks-landon@uiowa.edu

376 EPB, 335-0641

Writing Center

Ambitious students determined to improve their writing are encouraged to enroll in the Writing Center. Experienced writing teachers are available there to help you improve your skills with one-on-one instruction. The Writing Center in 110 EPB is open for twice-a-week enrollment hours from 9:30-3:30 MTWR (come to the center in person to sign up for twice a week). For individual appointments, sign up on the bulletin board outside the writing center. Appointment hours are 6 to 8 p.m. MTWR and 12-2 p.m. F in 110 EPB. There are also four writing center satellites for appointments: a Monday night center (6 to 8 p.m.) in 306 Blank Honors Center beginning Sept. 11 (call 335-3220 or drop in), a Tuesday night center (6-8 p.m.) in 321A North Hall (which is Wild Bill’s Coffee Shop) beginning Sept. 5 (call 335-1281 or drop in), a Wednesday night center (6 to 8 p.m.) in the Quad Rec. Room beginning Sept. 6 (call 335-9230 or drop in), and a Sunday night center (5 to 9 p.m.) on the second floor of the Main Library beginning Sept. 10 (call 335-6049 or drop in).

Email Tutoring is available through the website http://www.uiowa.edu/~writingc/ where you will also find information about writing center services.

Students With Disabilities

I would like to hear from anyone who has a disability that may require some modifications of seating, testing, or other class requirements so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Please see me during my office hours to discuss these matters.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is reprehensible and will not be tolerated by the University. It subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. Visit the sexual harassment awareness site at http://www.sexualharassment.uiowa.edu/ for definitions, assistance, and the full University policy.

Severe Weather Statement

The University of Iowa Operations Manual section 16.14 outlines appropriate responses to a tornado or to a similar crisis. If a tornado or other severe weather is indicated by the UI outdoor warning system, members of the class should seek shelter in rooms and corridors in the innermost part of a building at the lowest level, staying clear of windows, corridors with windows, or large free-standing expanses such as auditoriums and cafeterias. The class will resume, if possible, after the UI outdoor warning system announces that the severe weather threat has ended.

Add/Drop Notification/CLAS Disclosure

This course is given by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This means class policies on matters such as requirements, grading, and sanctions for academic dishonesty are governed by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students wishing to add or drop this course after the official deadline must receive the approval of the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Details of the University policy of cross enrollments may be found at: http://www.uiowa.edu/~provost/deos/crossenroll.doc

Course Schedule

Unit 1: Text: Mediating Contact

Week 1

T – 1/22 – Course Beginnings – Chartier “The Order of Books” preface (online)

Th – 1/24 – “Young Goodman Brown” – Nathaniel Hawthorne, Chartier response due

Week 2

T – 1/29 – “The Rocking–Horse Winner” – D.H. Lawrence, “The Necklace” – Guy de

Maupassant

Th – 1/31 – “The Things They Carried” – Tim O’Brien

Week 3

T – 2/5 – “The Lottery” – Shirley Jackson, Assign Essay #1

Th – 2/7 – Sonnets 18, 73, 116, 130 – William Shakespeare

Week 4

T – 2/12 – “A&P” – John Updike

Th – 2/14 – “One Art” – Elizabeth Bishop, “To His Coy Mistress” – Andrew Marvell, “On Her

Loving Two Equally” – Aphra Behn

Unit 2 : Context: “No (Text) is an Island Entire of Itself”

Week 5

T – 2/19 – Slaughterhouse Five – through pg. 38

Th – 2/21 – Slaughterhouse Five – through pg. 71

Week 6

T – 2/26 – Slaughterhouse Five – through pg. 135

Th – 2/28– Slaughterhouse Five – through pg. 181

Week 7

T – 3/4 – Slaughterhouse Five – through pg. 215, Essay #1 Due

Th – 3/6 – No Readings – Finish Discussion

Unit 3: Self: Constituting Identity

Week 8

3/11 - T – “The Love-Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” – T.S. Eliot

3/13 - Th –Essay #2 Assigned

Week 9 – Spring Break

No Readings

Week 10

T – 3/25 – Glass Menagerie Scenes I/II

Th – 3/27 – Glass Menagerie Scenes III/IV

Week 11

T – 4/1 – Glass Menagerie Scenes V/VI/VII

Th – 4/3 – TBD

Unit 4: Reader, Text, World – An Intimate Conversation

Week 12

T – 4/8 – “The House on Mango Street” – Sandra Cisneros, “The Red Convertible” Louise

Erdrich – Essay #2 Due

Th – 4/10 – “The Negro Sings of Rivers” – Langston Hughes, “Harlem”

“Barn Burning” – William Faulkner

Week 13

T – 4/15 – Sula - through pg. 66

Th - 4/17 – Sula – through pg. 85

Week 14

T – 4/22 – Sula – through pg. 137

Th – 4/24 – Sula – through pg. 174

Week 15

T – 4/29 – “The Chrysanthemums” – John Steinbeck

Th – 5/1 – “The White Heron” – Sarah Orne Jewett

“The Cask of Amontillado” – E.A. Poe

Week 16

T – 5/6 – “Out of the Cradle, Endlessly Rocking,” “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”

Th – 5/8 – “Song of Myself” (467-479)

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE: Thursday May 15^th, 2:15 pm

Bradford 8G1 Fall 07 Syllabi

Syllabus

Adam Bradford

adam-bradford@uiowa.edu

(adamcbradford@gmail.com)

Office: 420 EPB, Hours – M: 10:30 -1:30

Mailbox: 308 EPB (below my name)

Course Description

For the purposes of this class, I find it helpful to think about literature as a conversation between an author and a reader – a conversation where the author has had his or her say, and now it is your turn to respond. Sound easy, sound hard? Forget about trying to discover “the real meaning” of a text (it’s arguable whether any such thing exists), and concentrate on what the text says to you. Do this, and you have taken a significant step towards “interpreting” literature. If you couple this with a little social and historical research investigating the context in which the work was written, you might just find yourself with quite a bit to add to the conversation. Where else, but in a book, do you get to experience someone speaking to you from across the enormous distance of space and time that books sometimes seem to transcend? What are these texts saying to you, why are they saying it, and what will you say back to them? If, as individuals and as a class, we can address these questions, we will be “interpreting” literature – our goal for the semester. Because you are an indispensable part of this interpretive equation, class participation is a must. It will be your thoughts, your insights, and your frustrations that will help move us along in our exploration. As you experience each one of these texts, each “conversation,” you will need to read and think carefully, and share those thoughts with the rest of us – doing so will make the semester, and the conversation, a success.

Required Materials: (All books available at the University Bookstore/IMU):

Kushner, Tony. Angels in America: The Millennium Approaches. (Theater

Communications)

Morrison, Toni. Sula. (Random House)

Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse Five. (Dell)

Literature: A Portable Anthology, eds. Janet E. Gardner, Beverly Lawn, Jack Ridl,

and Peter Schakel. (Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press)

A few dollars for printing/copying

Coursework

The bulk of your grade (25%) will come from your participation in class. This means that you must do the reading and you must come prepared to talk about what you have read. In addition to your participation in class, you will be responsible for completing a variety of shorter writings (reader responses, reader’s autobiography, class activity writing assignments), an in-class presentation, two critical essays, and a final exam. You will also be responsible for contributing to our class through consistent, lively class participation.

Grading

Essay #1 15%

Essay #2 20%

Shorter Writings 15%

Presentation 10%

Final 10%

Autobiography 5%

Participation 25%

Attendance

Your attendance is crucial to the success of this class, and to your overall grade. You cannot be a regular participant if you are not in attendance. Therefore, attendance in this course is required and will be taken daily. Repeated absences will unquestionably affect your participation grade and excessive absences (nine or more) may result in your failing the course. Excused absences are permitted, but require documentation on your return to class. Examples of excused absences include: illness, authorized University activities, religious holidays, etc. In addition, if you know you will be absent on a particular day, please see or email me in advance of the absence to discuss make-up work.

Late Work

I do not accept late work. All shorter writings (mainly reading responses) are to be submitted on ICON by 11:59 the day prior to their discussion. All other work (essays and Autobiography of a Reader) is to be submitted on ICON by 8a.m. the day it is due – you will not be allowed to submit work after this time. Students whose excused University absence is known about ahead of time are responsible for turning in their work prior to the due date, or according to arrangements made with me well in advance of the absence. Students whose excused University absence is unplanned can meet with me individually after the absence to discuss the situation.

Submitting Your Work

Unless otherwise stated in class, all assignments should be submitted to me via ICON. Shorter writings are due by 11:59 the day prior to discussion, and all other assignments by 8 a.m. the day they are due. Instructions for how to submit individual assignments will be covered in class.

Plagiarism

Writing Center

Email Tutoring is available through the website http://www.uiowa.edu/~writingc/ where you will also find information about writing center services.

Students With Disabilities

Class Grievances

Coursework Concerns: Program Associates

64 EPB, 335-0484

Grade Concerns: Program Associates

64 EPB, 335-0484

Ask for Jessica Despain, Kate Henderson, or

Deborah Manion

All other Concerns: Brooks Landon, Program Director

Brooks-landon@uiowa.edu

376 EPB, 335-0641

Add/Drop Notification

Course Schedule

(Please remember, all reading responses and shorter writings will be due by 11:59 the day prior to discussion, all other papers by 8 a.m. the day they are due)