’Tis the good reader that makes the good book.
—Emerson
Texts:
Burgess, Anthony. A Clockwork
Camus, Albert. The Stranger. Vintage. (ISBN: 0-679-72020-0)
Chopin, Kate. The Awakening and Selected Stories. Penguin (ISBN 0-14-039022-7)
Douglass,
Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. Perennial Classic. (IBSN: 0-060929-87-1)
Melville, Herman. Billy Budd, Sailor and Other Stories. Penguin Classic (ISBN: 0-140-39053-7)
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Penguin (ISBN: 0-141-43947-5)
Assignments:
Jan. 16 M Course Introduction Theme: The Individual vs. the Community
Jan. 18 W Mary Shelley Frankenstein (15–72)
Jan. 23 M Frankenstein
(73–118)
Jan. 25 W Frankenstein (119–78)
Jan. 30 M Frankenstein (179–225)
Film: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Part I)
Feb. 01 W Film: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Part II)
Feb. 06 M Frederick
Douglass Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (21–68)
First Formal Essay
Due
Feb. 08 W Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (69–117)
Winter Break
Feb. 15 W Herman Melville Billy Budd, Sailor (291–340)
Feb. 17 F Film: Billy Budd
Feb. 20 M Herman Melville Billy Budd, Sailor (340–75)
Film: Billy Budd
Feb. 22 W Herman
Melville “Bartleby”
(3–46)
Feb. 27 M Kate Chopin The Awakening (43–87)
Mar. 01 W Kate Chopin The Awakening (87–142)
Mar. 06 M Kate Chopin The
Awakening (142–76)
Mar. 08 W In-class Essay and/or Examination
Spring Recess March 10–March 20
Mar. 20 M Aldous Huxley Brave New World (3–71)
Mar. 22 W Aldous
Huxley Brave
Mar. 27 M Aldous Huxley Brave New World (123–97)
Mar. 29 W Aldous
Huxley Brave
Apr. 03 M Albert Camus The Stranger, Part I (3–59)
Apr. 05 W Albert Camus The Stranger, Part II (63–123)
“The Myth of Sisyphus” (handout)
Second Formal Essay Due
Apr. 10 M Anthony
Burgess A Clockwork
Apr. 12 W Anthony
Burgess A Clockwork
Apr. 17 M Anthony
Burgess A Clockwork
Apr. 19 W Anthony
Burgess Film: A Clockwork
Apr. 24 M Anthony
Burgess Film: A Clockwork
Apr. 26 W Writing
Workshop: Complete draft of final formal essay
Final Examination Week: May 1–May 5, 2006: No Final Examination
May 01 M Third
Formal Essay Due (in my office by noon)
Course Information:
Objectives and
Outcomes: The main objectives of this course are to introduce students to one
of the major problems of the modern world—individual freedom versus society—and
to foster critical thinking. By examining texts closely and by having students
respond to them through class discussion and expository writing, the course
aims at improving students’ interpretative abilities as well as their reading,
writing, and speaking skills. These objectives will be met by the reading and
writing assignments and by the discussion format of the course.
Assignments: Reading assignments should be completed before class on the assigned date. It is a good idea to read, highlight important passages, and then review the material before class.
Discussion: Your response to the reading material constitutes an important aspect of this course. Through discussion and a sharing of ideas and questions, we can all gain deeper insights into these works. In order to receive at least a 3.0 (B) for the discussion portion, you must volunteer, not merely respond when called upon.
Attendance: Since class discussion is important, attendance is required. Persistent absences incur incremental penalties (remember we meet only twice a week): .25 will be deducted from your final grade point average for 4–5 absences; .50 for 6–7 absences; 1.0 for 8–9 absences; 2.0 for 10–11 absences; etc. Tardiness and sleeping in class may count against your attendance. Always let me know when you cannot attend class.
Initiative: Demonstrate initiative. It is your responsibility to keep up with assignments. Contact me or a classmate if you have missed or will miss a class and need to know what to do for the next assignment.
Grading: Grading will be traditional. Three formal essays (four pages each, word processed) and an in-class essay/examination count 70%; quizzes count 20%; discussion 10%. Late work may be penalized. These are minimum course requirements. I reserve the right to alter these assignments and percentages.
Grade Scales: Minimum averages: 3.65=A; 3.30=B+; 2.80=B; 2.30=C+; 1.80=C; 1.30=D+; .80=D; .00=F. 92–100=4.0; 87–91=3.5; 82–86=3.0; 77–81=2.5; 72–76=2.0; 67–71=1.5; 62–66=1.0; 0–61=0.0
Revision Policy: You may revise for full credit your first or second formal essay. It must be a true revision and not merely a cleaning-up of mechanical errors, and it should be completed within approximately one week of having received the original, graded essay back. Hand in the revision with the graded version attached.
The
Plagiarism: Note well: Plagiarism will result in a grade of F in the course. It is not necessary for you to read any outside sources; simply concentrate on the text(s). However, if you use an outside source, such as the Web, you must provide the proper acknowledgment; otherwise you will fail the course. You may not submit work done for another course. All formal essays must be submitted to <www.turnitin.com> before you hand them in. Suggestion: Spend your time reading and re-reading the assigned text rather than reading outside sources. I am interested in your response, not the response of others.
Office Hours: M, Tu, W 2:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m. and by appointment. However, feel free to drop in anytime, especially if you are experiencing difficulties.
Course Information:
Objectives and
Outcomes: The main objectives of this course are to introduce students to
one of the major problems of the modern world—individual freedom versus
society—and to foster critical thinking. By examining texts closely and by
having students respond to them through class discussion and expository
writing, the course aims at improving students’ interpretative abilities as
well as their reading, writing, and speaking skills. These objectives will be
met by the reading and writing assignments and by the discussion format of the
course.
Assignments: Reading assignments should be completed before class on the assigned date. It is a good idea to read, highlight important passages, and then review the material before class.
Discussion: Your response to the reading material constitutes an important aspect of this course. Through discussion and a sharing of ideas and questions, we can all gain deeper insights into these works. In order to receive at least a 3.0 (B) for the discussion portion, you must volunteer, not merely respond when called upon.
Attendance: Since class discussion is important, attendance is required. Persistent absences incur incremental penalties (remember we meet only twice a week): .25 will be deducted from your final grade point average for 4–5 absences; .50 for 6–7 absences; 1.0 for 8–9 absences; 2.0 for 10–11 absences; etc. Tardiness and sleeping in class may count against your attendance. Always let me know when you cannot attend class.
Initiative: Demonstrate initiative. It is your responsibility to keep up with assignments. Contact me or a classmate if you have missed or will miss a class and need to know what to do for the next assignment.
Grading: Grading will be traditional. Three formal essays (four pages each, word processed) and an in-class essay/examination count 70%; quizzes count 20%; discussion 10%. Late work may be penalized. These are minimum course requirements. I reserve the right to alter these assignments and percentages.
Grade Scales: Minimum averages: 3.65=A; 3.30=B+; 2.80=B; 2.30=C+; 1.80=C; 1.30=D+; .80=D; .00=F. 92–100=4.0; 87–91=3.5; 82–86=3.0; 77–81=2.5; 72–76=2.0; 67–71=1.5; 62–66=1.0; 0–61=0.0
Revision Policy: You may revise for full credit your first or second formal essay. It must be a true revision and not merely a cleaning-up of mechanical errors, and it should be completed within approximately one week of having received the original, graded essay back. Hand in the revision with the graded version attached.
The
Plagiarism: Note well: Plagiarism will result in a grade of F in the course. It is not necessary for you to read any outside sources; simply concentrate on the text(s). However, if you use an outside source, such as the Web, you must provide the proper acknowledgment; otherwise you will fail the course. You may not submit work done for another course. All formal essays must be submitted to <www.turnitin.com> before you hand them in. Suggestion: Spend your time reading and re-reading the assigned text rather than reading outside sources. I am interested in your response, not the response of others.
Office Hours: M, Tu, W 2:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m. and by appointment. However, feel free to drop in anytime, especially if you are experiencing difficulties.
I have read and
understand and will abide by the above regulations.
Please Print Name ______________________ Signature ______________________