Eng 243: Survey
of English Literature I
Text: The Norton Anthology of English Literature,
8th ed., Stephen Greenblatt, et al, Eds.
Web-based Independent Study
Email: tvanlear@dslcc.edu
Welcome to Eng 243! This course offers you a journey into the foundation of English literature and a close look at the “canon” of works that establish that basis. I look forward to working with each one of you as we discover the great history of writing that has developed through the influence of English writers from the Middle Ages through the Restoration period of the 18th century.
**Please note: If you have not attended the on-campus orientation for this class, YOU MUST complete the online orientation guide, found under Bb Course Documents, by Wednesday of the first week of classes. Late completion will result in a grade penalty. Participation in orientation, either on campus or online, is not an option.
Course Description: This course explores writings in England from its Middle Age period through its influences of the 18th century. Using a survey-style, students read, examine, and analyze major writers of the time. Through an in-depth look at both genre form and historical influences, students will develop an overview of these works and their place in both the literary “realm” and the cultural history in which they were created.
Course Objectives: Students will continue to develop their critical reading and writing skills by examining and responding to the assigned works; students will demonstrate their understanding through active participation in online forums, submission of their ideas in well-developed essays, and completion of exams for the course.
Course Requirements:
** Participation is not an option. As an online course, you will have several areas of interaction that are crucial to success in this course. Participating in the online discussions provides a key area of idea/concept understanding and exchange. You must complete all of these assignments—whether they are article/website evaluations, response essays, project sections, journals, exams, or reaction works. To not complete even one of these works is grounds for failure in the course.
** Journal assignments will be an integral part of this course. These questions will be posted weekly on the Bb Discussion Board, and I consider them reaction/response pieces rather than critiqued essays. Say what you think and why you think it---back up your ideas with specifics from the readings and when you respond to a classmate (or more than one), use positive criticism as your guide. Any unconsidered reactions or inconsiderate responses will receive an appropriate failing grade. These submissions will be graded on the basis of your thorough and thoughtful content/ideas.
** You will have two proctored exams in this course, all of which will be announced well-ahead of schedule. I will arrange a timeframe (a 3- day option) and post your exam on Bb. This test will be a one-access only, so be sure you’re ready to take it BEFORE you click on the test. You will have 2 hours to take this exam, and you will NOT be able to access the Internet during that test time. If you click out of the exam for any reason, your session will be closed and your exam submitted at that point as is. If you do not complete the test in the scheduled timeframe, you will receive a 0 on the exam. I do not give make-up exams.
** Response essays will be assigned periodically and will have a specific focus for you to develop your ideas. These essays involve both reaction and discovery of the writings you will be reading in the course, and they offer you an arena to present your ideas and evaluations of the material as well as show what you think in response to these writers who make up the English literary canon. Standard length for these writing assignments is 4 to 7 pages.
The essay focuses will be posted on the weekly folder for class and are usually due a week or so after posting. You will submit these writings via Assignments Link in Bb on your Assignment button. Be sure your essay file format is either a MS Word document or that you have saved it in Rich Text File format. Otherwise Bb will not open the file. If your submission is not accessible, I will email you once to let you know and your essay will be counted as late until you resubmit in the correct format.
These essays should be in standard MLA format. If you choose to include any outside readings that you have found to help support your ideas, these sources must be clearly documented in MLA style. I do not expect you to do research for these pieces, but please understand that any information not your own should be clearly cited. I will assume that your references to the readings have come from our text, and as is standard, you should include any page numbers for quotes/paraphrases/summaries that you use in your essay, but all other sources must be clearly cited with source information and included on a Works Cited page at the end of your essay. No exceptions.
**Other assignments may include online article evaluations, informal responses to reactions or commentaries, or other areas of response that will help you explore the readings. Again, these assignments are not options.
** Due dates for all assignments will be posted on the website. Any late assignment will be assessed a late penalty of 0.5 letter grade per day until properly submitted.
** All assignments are requirements of this course. Your failure to turn in any one of these assignments, regardless of its weight in the final evaluation, is considered grounds for failing this course.
** Your first assignment is to email a brief message to me at my DSLCC address from your DSLCC account. This task is not an option and counts as a written assignment. I will use your DSLCC email address for all notices/course information, so be sure to access your account and check it.
Course Notes:
Your commitment to reading, response, and discussion is critical for success in this course. As we examine the amazing, complex, and fascinating world of English Literature, you cannot be a silent observer. There are no pat answers in this class—and more than knowing the facts comes the importance of reacting and developing your understanding of the works we will examine. I expect you to be an active participant and say what you think and why you think it.
**A Word on Plagiarism: DSLCC takes an act of plagiarism seriously, and I fully support their policy. ANY work you hand in as your own should be just that—YOUR OWN. Plagiarism of any work in this course will not be tolerated and will result in your failing this course, regardless of your current grades in this class, and I will pursue disciplinary action by the college for that offense if warranted. **
Course Goals:
Students will gain an introductory knowledge of English Literature from the Anglo-Saxon period through the 18th century and will develop an ability to effectively examine and interpret various works. Through readings in the text, with web resources, in research, and in individual response papers, students will form an avenue for exploring and understanding this field of literature in several media.
Students with special needs:
Any student who may require instructional modifications/accommodations due to a documented learning, sensory, or medical disability should contact me immediately to discuss these concerns.
Grading: Final Grade Evaluation:
3.6 to 4.0 = A Response Essays = 35%
3.0 to 3.5 = B Journals = 20%
2.0 to 2.9 = C Other Assignments = 15%
1.0 to 1.9 = D Participation = 15%
0 to 0.9 = F Exams = 15%