Fall 2006 Syllabus for British Literature

Peru State College's Teacher Education Unit Conceptual Framework

Creating Exemplary Educators:
Reflective Decision-Makers

Course: British Literature, English 322

Time: 11:00-12:15, MW

Room: FA 205

Professor: Bill Clemente

Office: FA 201

Office Hours:

9:00-11:00, MWF; 2:00-3:00, MWF; 9:30-12:00, TTH
And by appointment

Office Telephone Number: (872)-2233

E-mail:

bclemente@oakmail.peru.edu

bill_clemente@excite.com

(I check e-mail frequently and will get back to you as quickly as possible.)

Home Telephone Number: 872-3073 (Feel free to call)

Teaching Schedule:

8:00-9:15 TTH (FA 204): Nonwestern Literature

Nonwestern Literature, On-Line

11:00-12:15 MW (FA 205): British Literature

Creative Writing, On-Line

Web page: Click here.

Required Texts:

Gulliver's Travels by Johnathan Swift

Wuthering Heights by Emile Bronte

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis

Course Description and Objectives:

This class fills an important place in the English curriculum, introducing readers to British Literature not necessarily covered in other classes that discuss poetry, the novel, Shakespeare, drama, and short stories.

While students will read some poetry, this particular class will focus on the development of the novel, though the semester begins with one of the great satires of World Literature, Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels.

The other six novels introduce important areas of development in British Literature, from the sophisticated narrative of Wuthering Heights to the modern hilarious classic, Lucky Jim. The other novels include the epitome of Victorian-era accomplishment, Charles Dickens' Great Expectations and a admonitory novel that as a recent film adaptation underscores continues to resonate today, War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells and first published in 1898. The other novels will introduce readers to two novelists who signaled, along with James Joyce, a dramatic change in narrative technique, The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf.

In addition to studying narrative technique, students will consider as well the social, economic, and political contexts of importance to all the novels, from the bitter political attacks against British policies and modern science in Swift's accounts of Gulliver's experiences to Kingsley Amis's comic satire of British class divisions in Jim Dixon's experiences at the university.

The class will provide students amble opportunity to research and write about ideas (narrative technique, feminism, modernity, social systems, politics, etc.) that appeal to them. To this end, the class also emphasizes nurturing analytical and written skills.

Other Objectives:

One of the primary goals of the English Department is to graduate literate citizens who can communicate clearly and who posses the requisite experience to teach effectively. British Literature provides students not only a greater appreciation for this literature but also the confidence necessary to incorporate this important literature into their school curricula. Whether or not students choose certification, the course emphasizes the sophistication and the flexibility of language, both grammar and style, and deepens their appreciation for all forms of writing and literature.

The written assignments also emphasize research and critical-thinking and writing skills.

Assessment Methods and Student Requirements:

Grades:

Your final grade will be based on the following (subject-to-change) percentages:

Attendance: 10%

Four Essays: 60%

Midterm Examination: 15%

Final Examination: 15%

(These percentages are subject to change; your grades on Blackboard are calculated not by point value but by weight.)

Grading Policy:

A 90-100

B+ 85-89

B 80-84

C+ 75-79

C 70-74

D+ 65-69

D 60-64

F 59 and below

Attendance and Participation:

Approach this class prepared to share your ideas and your work, for the combination will help you generate ideas for your four essays; therefore, failing to attend to class work on a regular basis will hinder your progress.

British Literature is very much a discussion and sharing class. Come to class prepared to take part in discussions, for they will help you generate ideas for your essays on the exams and for short writing assignments; failing to attend class on a regular basis will hinder your progress.

If you must miss class, contact me or a member of the class to get the assignment-you should have a class directory by the second week. Attendance counts for 10% of the final grade, and each of you begins the semester with a grade of A, 100%, for attendance. Not attending class lowers this grade at the rate of 5% for the first three absences and 10% for each subsequent non-attendance. Come to class prepared to enjoy yourself.

Essays:

This class requires, unless indicated otherwise, that students write an essay (three-four, double-spaced pages) on four of the novels. These essays require that writes use at least two sources--internet sources are allowed and must be electronically linked.

Students will write on topics of their choice. As a rule, these essays are due no later than two weeks after the class completes the readings. Students who decide to write on Lucky Jim must turn in the essay on or before the date of the final examination.

Essays will be turned in electronically on Blackboard and will be returned in a similar fashion.

Students will have an opportunity to revise at least three of the essays.

Examinations:

These in-class examinations will ensure that students read all the assigned material. The tests can come in a variety of forms, from brief explanations to essay responses.

Students will not have an opportunity to revise this work.

Revisions:

The grade you receive on a revision replaces the original--a revision will never lower your grade. As a general rule, you will have approximately a week to revise your work. See me with questions and concerns.

Bear in mind, however, that "revision" does not mean "automatic grade elevation."

Turning In Assignments:

You will turn in all class assignments electronically using Blackboard's Assignment Page; I will comment on this work and return it to you via Blackboard. We will discuss this method in class.

Unless otherwise indicated, all work is due by midnight Sunday of the week in which the work is assigned. Assignments will be posted by Monday morning of each week and usually on Sunday.

Late Assignments:

Turn in all work on time. The grade for unexcused late work will be lowered at the rate of 1/4 a letter grade for each day after the original due date. If you need additional time, please see me before the date on which work is due.

Meet your deadlines!

Incomplete Course Work:

To designate a student's work in a course as incomplete at the end of a term, instructors record the incomplete grade (I). Students may receive this grade only when serious illness, hardship, death in the immediate family, or military service during the semester in which they are registered prevents them from completing course requirements. In addition, to receive an incomplete, a student must have completed a majority of the course's major requirements. Unless extenuating circumstances dictate otherwise, students must initiate requests for an incomplete by filing out an Incomplete Grade Completion Contract, which requires the student and faculty signature.

The Incomplete Grade Completion Contract cites the reason(s) for the incomplete and details the specific obligations the student must meet to change the incomplete to a letter grade. If students agree to complete required work prior to the normal deadline for making up an incomplete – the end of the subsequent semester – this date must appear in the contract. The division chair, the instructor, and the student receive signed copies of the incomplete Grade Completion Contract.

Even if the student does not attend Peru State College, all incomplete course work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester. Unless Faculty Senate approves an extension, if the student does not fulfill contract obligations in the allotted time, the incomplete grade automatically becomes an F.

Students who have filed an application for graduation are not eligible for a grade of Incomplete.

Accommodation Statement:

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (public law 93-112) section 504, provides that "no otherwise qualified disabled individual in the United States shall solely by reason disabled, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or by subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."

1. It is the student's responsibility to notify the institution of any special circumstances that would affect his/her ability to complete equally in the college environment. Learning disabilities must be appropriately documented.

2. While students are encouraged to self-identify at the earliest possible time, students may not know or choose to self-identify, but can still receive services at any time once they self-disclose and document.

3. Students should contact the office of Student Support Services, Vice President for Student Affairs or the Director of Admissions for further advisement.

Academic Dishonesty:

Academic integrity is a basic principle that requires the student to take credit only for ideas and efforts that are his/her own. Cheating is defined as the submission of materials in assignments, exams, or other academic work that is based on sources prohibited by the faculty member. Cheating shall include, but is not limited to, situations in which a student:

1. Refers during an academic evaluation to material sources not authorized by the faculty member.

2. Utilizes devices during an academic evaluation that are not authorized by the faculty member.

3. Provides assistance to another student or receives assistance from another student during an academic evaluation in a manner not authorized by the faculty member.

4. Presents as his/her own the ideas or words of another person without customary and proper acknowledgment of sources.

5. Knowingly permits his/her words to be submitted by another person without the faculty member's permission.

6. Acts as a substitute or utilizes a substitute in any academic evaluation.

7. Fabricates data in support of laboratory or field work.

8. Possesses, buys, sells, obtains, or uses a copy of any materials intended to be used as an instrument of academic evaluation in advance of its administration.

9. Alters grade records of his/her own or another student work in a course or a component of a course.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE FOR BRITISH LITERATURE

General Outline

We will read the books in the following order, spending approximately two weeks on each work:

Gulliver's Travels

Wuthering Heights

Great Expectations

The War of the Worlds

The Good Soldier

Mrs. Dalloway

Lucky Jim

As a rule, reading and other assignments will be posted on the class web page.