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Instructor: |
Dr. Noelle Brada-Williams |
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Website: |
http://www2.sjsu.edu/faculty/awilliams/index.html |
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Office Hours: |
Mondays 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Additional times by appointment in
Faculty Office Building (FOB) 110. |
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Email: |
Noelle.Brada-Williams@sjsu.edu |
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Telephone: |
(408) 924-4439 |
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Class: |
Monday and Wednesday 12:00 - 1:15PM Sweeney Hall 229 |
Departmental Learning Objectives
English 56A serves the learning
objectives of the Department of English and Comparative Literature, by having
students demonstrate the ability to
1.
read closely in a variety of forms, styles, structures, and modes, and
articulate the value of “close reading” or close analysis;
2.
show familiarity with major literary works, genres, periods, and critical
approaches to World Literature;
3.
write clearly, effectively, and creatively, and adjust writing style
appropriately to the content, the context, and the nature of the subject;
4.
develop and carry out research projects, and locate, evaluate, organize, and
incorporate information effectively;
5.
articulate the relations among culture, history, and texts.
Coursework
includes reading assignments (see schedule below); one eight to ten-page formal
essay (which must include research and be put on turnitin.com—class
password ID is 4195293 and the password is Norton); a midterm and final exam
composed of both short identification and longer comparative essay questions,
and a series of five short, roughly one-page assignments. Late
paper policy: keeping in mind the many emergencies and unforeseen
events that can occur in the average SJSU student’s life, I have a very
generous extension policy. As long
as you give me the request in writing—print or email— (complete
with a new deadline) before the
paper’s due date, most requests for an extension will be granted. If the original deadline is passed by a
student who has not received an extension or an extended deadline has
been passed, 10% of the total points possible will be taken off for lateness up
to one week. Extended or late papers will be graded AFTER on-time student
work. Note that doing the reading and
being able and willing to respond to the comments and questions
of both the professor and your fellow students on a daily basis is a
requirement of the course. Reading
quizzes and other in-class assignments will be given to ensure that students
are indeed completing and understanding the readings. These cannot be made up. Due dates for the paper and the
times for the exams are listed on the reading and assignment schedule at the
end of the syllabus.
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Short writing
assignments will demonstrate SLO’s 1, 2, 3 & 5 (collectively) |
5 short assignments of roughly a page each |
15% |
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Major paper will demonstrate SLO’s 3 & 4, |
8-10 page analysis w/ research 2,800-3,500 words |
30% |
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Midterm will
demonstrate SLO’s 1, 2 & 3 |
Short answer and comparative essay |
20% |
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Final Exam will
demonstrate SLO’s 1, 2 & 3 |
5 I.D.’s & 1 Comparative essay |
25% |
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Doing the reading and participating in class lectures and discussion, including reading quizzes & other in-class assignments will provide a chance for students to both acquire and demonstrate SLO’s 1, 2, and 5 |
class discussions, quizzes, etc. |
10% |
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Total |
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100% |
The following statement has been adopted by the
Department of English for inclusion in all syllabi:
In English Department Courses, instructors will comment on and grade
the quality of student writing as well as the quality of ideas being conveyed.
All student writing should be distinguished by correct grammar and punctuation,
appropriate diction and syntax, and well-organized paragraphs.
The Department of English
reaffirms its commitment to the differential grading scale as defined in the
SJSU Catalog ("The Grading System"). Grades issued must represent a full range of student
performance: A = excellent; B = above average; C = average;
D = below average; F = failure.
In written assignments for English 56A, this scale
is based on the following criteria:
A [90-92=A-, 93-96=A,
97-100=A+] = Excellent: The "A" essay is articulate and well
developed with fluid transitions and a clear and persuasive use of evidence,
which is drawn from the literary text itself, lecture materials (when
appropriate), and research materials. An "A" essay contains a fresh insight which teaches the reader something new about the
subject matter.
B [80-82=B-, 83-86=B,
87-89=B+] Above average: The "B" essay demonstrates a good
understanding of its subject, a clear and persuasive use of evidence, a certain
level of ease of expression, and solid organization. However, it usually lacks the level of originality and
creativity that characterizes the insight found in an "A" essay.
C [70-72=C-, 73-76=C,
77-79=C+] = Average: The
"C" essay makes a good attempt at all the assignment's
requirements. It has a reasonable
understanding of its subject matter but its ideas are frequently simplistic or
over-generalized. The writing
style is also more bland and repetitive than the style shown by "A"
and "B" essays and it often contains flaws in grammar, punctuation,
spelling and/or word choice. It
may also use textual evidence out of context.
D [60-62=D-, 63-66=D,
67-69=D+] = Below average: The "D" essay is
poorly organized and generally unclear.
It has inappropriate or inadequate examples, is noticeably superficial
or simplistic, and/or contains some serious mechanical and grammatical
problems. A "D" essay
may also reveal some misunderstanding of the assignment requirements.
F = Failure: An "F" essay has not
addressed the requirements of the assignment and is unacceptable work in terms
of both form and content.
You are required to be courteous and
professional to both classmates and the professor. Most people take this as a requirement in their daily lives
and this statement does not need to be reiterated here. However, people sometimes forget that
the classroom is a professional setting and rules that govern a business
meeting apply here. For example,
devices such as cell phones need to be turned off; coming to class late is
unacceptable. If an emergency
arises that requires your absence from class, please contact the
professor. Simply prioritizing
your education behind other time commitments does not constitute such an
emergency. Participating in class
discussions and listening to and taking notes on class lectures are absolutely
necessary for the successful completion of this course. Protocol for written work
requires that all quotations must be enclosed in quotation marks or, when more
than three lines, put in an indented block. Full citation of the original
author and source must also be included.
For all papers, review a writing handbook for help with quote
integration, formatting & proper citation (most of you will have purchased
one for your Freshman comp. classes).
Also see the University policy on “Academic Integrity” below for help
defining and avoiding plagiarism of all kinds.
Students
should know that the University’s Academic Integrity Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/Policies/. Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San
Jose State University and the University’s integrity policy, require you to be
honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report
all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The
website for Student Conduct and Ethical
Development is available at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/index.html.
Instances of academic dishonesty will not be
tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism (presenting the work of another as
your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving proper credit)
will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class,
all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise
specified. If you would like to include in your assignment any material you
have submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Policy F06-1 requires approval of
instructors.
Students are responsible for understanding
the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic renewal, etc. Information on add/drops are available at
http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/soc-fall/rec-324.html. Information about late drop is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/sac/advising/latedrops/policy/ . Students
should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for adding and dropping
classes. Note that September 6, 2011 is the last drop without a “W.” The
instructor of this course will not automatically drop you if you do not show
up. Dropping is your responsibility.
If
you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if
you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated,
please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office
hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities
requesting accommodations must register with the DRC (Disability Resource
Center) to establish a record of their disability.
Computer
labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center located on
the first floor of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student
Union. Additional computer labs may be available in your department/college.
Computers are also available in the Martin Luther King Library.
The
SJSU Writing Center is located in Room 126 in Clark Hall. It is staffed by
professional instructors and upper-division or graduate-level writing
specialists from each of the seven SJSU colleges. The writing specialists have
met a rigorous GPA requirement, and they are well trained to assist all
students at all levels within all disciplines to become better writers. The Writing Center website is located at
http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/about/staff//.
The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Stephen Greenblatt, Gen. Ed.
8th Edition. Volumes A, B & C (Package 1/3 volume
set) ISBN: 0-393-92833-0.
The schedule may vary depending on the needs
of the class or scheduling issues.
Any changes will be reported in class and via the email you have
registered with MySJSU.
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Week |
Readings &
Assignments |
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1: August 24 |
Introduction to course. |
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2:
August 29 |
Read the Norton introduction to “The Middle Ages” Beowulf (NAEL 1-23 & 29-47/at least to line 661) |
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August 31 |
Read Beowulf (NAEL 47-80/at least to line 2200) |
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3: September 5 |
Labor Day
Holiday. Campus Closed. |
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September 7 |
Complete Beowulf (to NAEL 100/line 3182) and read “The Wander,” “The Wife’s Lament” and the excerpt of The Anglo Saxon Chronicle (NAEL 111-117). Begin reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (to part 1—NAEL 160-172) |
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4: September 12 |
Read all Sir Gawain
and the Green Knight (NAEL 172-213).
Short essay #1 due on what makes a
good leader OR what defines good conduct /a good life in one or more of these
texts (300-400 words). |
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September 14 |
Read Chaucer, Canterbury Tales (NAEL 213-255). “General Prologue” and the “Miller’s Tale” |
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5: September 19 |
Read Chaucer, Canterbury Tales (NAEL 256-284). “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale” |
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September 21 |
Read Chaucer, Canterbury Tales (NAEL 284-298, 315). “Pardoner’s Tale” and prep for next class by reading the 16th C headnote (485-513). |
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6: September 26 |
The origins of the English sonnet and Courtly Poetry:
Wyatt, Surry, Spenser, and samples of Elizabethan Poetry (NAEL 592-613, 947-8, 975-992, plus
Raleigh, 917-8, and Marlowe, 1022). Short
essay #2 due analyzing some aspect of The
Canterbury Tales (300-400 words). |
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September 28 |
Edmund Spenser, Amoretti
and Epithalamium (NAEL
903-916). |
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7: October 3 |
Christopher Marlowe, Dr. Faustus (NAEL 1023-1057). Short essay #3 due analyzing a poem or developing a sonnet or other of your own (with a brief explanation, 300-400 words). |
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October 5 |
Continue discussion of Faustus. Read Early 17th c headnote (NAEL 1235-1259) |
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8: October 10 |
John Donne: (NAEL 1260-1265), “The Flea,” “The Good-Morrow,” “Song,” “The Canonization” (1267-8), “Break of Day” (1270-1) “The Bait” (1274), “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning,” (1275-1276) and excerpts of Holy Sonnets (1295-1299). Ben Jonson: (1324-1326), “On My First Daughter,” “To John Donne, “On Giles and Joan” and “On My First Son” (1428-1430), “To Penshurst,” “Song : To Celia” (1434-1436), “Sonnet to Lady Mary Wroth” (1438), “Still to be Neat “ (1444). Mary Wroth (1451-1452 and 1457-1461). |
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October 12 |
2nd day for Donne, review, etc. |
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9: October 17 |
Midterm |
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October 19 |
Read Milton, Paradise Lost, headnote and “Lycidas” (NAEL 1785-1789, 1805-1811) |
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10: October 24 |
Read Milton, Paradise Lost, DAY
ONE: Read
Book One, lines 1-27, 84-191, 242-330 Read
Book Two (the debate in Hell), 1-505 Read
Book Four, 30-113 and 288-324 |
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October 26 |
Read Milton, Paradise
Lost, DAY TWO: Read
Book Four, 411-491 Read
Book Eight, 460-653 Read
Book Nine, 270-375, 532-612, 745-833, 921-1016 Read
Book Ten 103-162 Read
Book Twelve, 624-649 |
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11: October 31 |
Read the Restoration and 18th c headnote and John Dryden, “Mac Flecknoe”
(NAEL 2057-2086 and 2111-2117) |
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November 2 |
Read Aphra Behn, Oroonoko (NAEL 2183-2226) |
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12: November 7 |
Finish discussion of Oroonoko Short essay #4 due analyzing any one of the texts that we have read since #3 was turned in (300-400 words). |
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November 9 |
Read all of Way of the World (NAEL 2226-2284). Discuss at least through Act 4. |
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13: November 14 |
Read Mary Astell and Daniel Defoe (NAEL 2284-2294) and William Hogarth (2656-2663). Finish discussion of Way of the World and |
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November 16 |
Read The Rape of the Lock (NAEL 2513-2525/Cantos 1-3) plus possible additional background reading/criticism |
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14: November 21 |
Finish The Rape of
the Lock (NAEL 2525-2532/Cantos 4-5) plus possible additional background
reading/criticism |
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November 23 |
Read Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels book 1 (NAEL 2323-2365). Last day to turn in short essay #5: a proposal for your final research paper (350 words max). |
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15: November 28 |
Read Swift, Gulliver’s
Travels book 2 (NAEL 2365-2405) |
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November 30 |
Gulliver’s Travels book 4 (NAEL 2418-2462) |
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16: December 5 |
Read Samuel Johnson (2
NAEL 664-2666, 2749-2756, 2849-2850) and Olaudah
Equiano (2850-59). Eight-ten page research paper due. |
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December 7 |
Read all of Anne Finch (NAEL 2294-2298), Mathew Prior (2298-2301), Thomas Gray’s poems
(2862-2870) Oliver Goldsmith “The Deserted Village,” George Crabbe, excerpt
from The Village (2877-2890), and
review for final. |
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December 14 |
Final Exam: Wednesday,
9:45 AM -1200 Noon |