English 300: Approaches to Literature

Fall 2016, section 001, 3 hours credit

Dr. Leslie Bickford                                                                       

Bancroft 234

Office Phone: 323-4564 

E-mail: bickfordl@winthrop.edu

Web: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/bickfordl

Office Hours: Th 1-3 (Bancroft); MTW 1-3, Th 9-11, F 9-12 (Dinkins 222) & by appointment

TEXTS

An MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is strongly recommended

Charles Bressler – Literary Criticism – 5^th edition

Henry James –The Turn of the Screw (ed. Peter Beidler – 3^rd edition )

A text of your choice

GOALS

• To identify the standard research methods and sources used by scholars and a variety of theoretical approaches to literature.
• To learn to use the library and its resources efficiently and effectively.
• To recognize and discuss a wide range of critical theories which we will then apply to specific literary works. 
• To heighten our awareness of why and how we read and interpret texts as we practice different critical approaches.
• To hone our analytical skills--the skills we use as thinkers, researchers, and writers.

Program Goals

• English majors analyze and synthesize various forms of traditional, digital, and non-print texts. Our students read the works of authors from a broad range of cultural, ethnic, racial, and gendered backgrounds, and they develop a nuanced understanding of how historical and cultural context affect literary/textual production. Majors learn to engage in literary and rhetorical analysis, as well as demonstrate knowledge of theory, criticism, research methods, and documentation techniques.
• English majors gain knowledge of the English language arts. Majors explore topics such as the teaching of literature and the structure and historical development of the English language. They become familiar with various approaches to grammar, gaining recognition of dialects and patterns of usage, the digital humanities, and the purposes of language from theoretical and technological approaches.
• English majors compose carefully crafted texts and construct persuasive arguments based on analysis and deliberation.

Their writings may take the form of critical essays, fictional or poetic works, and professional documents. All majors learn to write sustained texts that contain the following: researched material, appropriate awareness of audience and purpose, and mastery of grammar, mechanics, and usage. Students provide proper documentation of primary and secondary sources and demonstrate effective use of existing technologies to research, prepare, and present information.

Student Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Display mastery of the standard research methods and resources particular to the discipline of English Language and Literature Studies.
• Create effective research strategies by employing print and technological library sources, including books, articles, and abstracts retrieved from the Dacus Online Catalogue and the MLA print and electronic formats.
• Identify the major movements and theorists in literary criticism, evaluate the products of literary criticism, and clearly communicate those findings in writing and discussion.
• Discuss and apply theoretical approaches to specific literary texts.
• Construct effective bibliographies and critical analyses.
• Produce the clear and cogent scholarly prose expected of the discipline.

University Level Competencies

This course meets the following University Level Competencies:

Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems.  Winthrop University graduates reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and solve problems.  They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned conclusions.  Winthrop graduates consider the full context and consequences of their decisions and continually reexamine their own critical thinking process, including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments.

Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible.  Winthrop University graduates value integrity, perceive moral dimensions, and achieve excellence.  They take seriously the perspectives of others, practice ethical reasoning, and reflect on experiences.  Winthrop graduates have a sense of responsibility to the broader community and contribute to the greater good.

Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world in which they live.  Winthrop University graduates comprehend the historical, social, and global contexts of their disciplines and their lives.  They also recognize how their chosen area of study is inextricably linked to other fields.  Winthrop graduates collaborate with members of diverse academic, professional, and cultural communities as informed and engaged citizens.

Competency 4:  Winthrop graduates communicate effectively.  Winthrop University graduates communicate in a manner appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.  They create texts—including but not limited to written, oral, and visual presentations—that convey content effectively.  Mindful of their voice and the impact of their communication, Winthrop graduates successfully express and exchange ideas.

Global Learning

This course participates in the Global Learning Initiative.  Students will discuss and come to comprehend the historical contexts behind various European and American sociopolitical movements, and how that history has shaped different theoretical lenses through which we read literature.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Annotated Bibliography of 18 secondary

            sources on your selected text                                                    10%

Two short (1-2 pages) essays evaluating

essays in the James casebook                                                  10%

Review of Literature on your selected text                                        10%

Critical essay on your text                                                                  20%

Abstract for the critical essay on your text                                            5%

Proposed Chapters for a Casebook                                               

(Three {1-2 page} essays preceding

            3 selected published articles on your text)                                  20%

Final Exam                                                                                        15%

Class Participation                                                                            10%

Each student will choose a text to work with for the entire semester.  You may choose a favorite work or one that you have always wanted to study more thoroughly.  You may not choose a short poem or autobiography since you will be writing extensively about this work from several critical approaches. (I must approve all selections).  Your goal will be to select three excellent critical essays, each representing a different critical approach that might be included in a casebook on your chosen text.  Your own essay will be the fourth one.  I expect your critical essays to be carefully researched and documented.  Take an original angle on your text and produce an analytical essay worthy of presentation to a scholarly group and/or publication in a peer reviewed journal.

I see this course as an introduction to the profession of literary studies; therefore, I expect you to participate as young professionals, dedicated to the study of your chosen field. 

GRADING SCALE

As you know, the University has initiated the +/- grading option.  I will use this grading scale.  Your written work will receive a numeric grade; for the purposes of tallying your final grade in the class, you should know I use the following scale: C+ 77-79    C 73-76    C- 70-72 and so on, with respect to all other letter grades.

ATTENDANCE

You are allowed only three absences in this class.  You are responsible for finding out what you missed when absent.  Should you be physically present but mentally absent (i.e., texting, surfing the web, sleeping), you will be counted absent.

Your final grade will be lowered by five (5) points for every class missed over the allowed three.

LATE PAPERS

Papers are due at the beginning of class on the dates indicated on your course calendar.  Late papers will be penalized a letter grade for every day late.  Papers over one week late will not be accepted.  You will be using turnitin.com to turn in your papers; should you ever have trouble with turnitin, you may email me your paper to avoid the late penalty, but I will grade only those papers that appear in turnitin.  If you prefer handwritten feedback on papers, you may turn in a hardcopy as well, but please make sure you also turn your paper into turnitin.  In addition, you may NOT turn in either of the short essays after we have discussed the essay it is evaluating.

REVISION POLICY 

You may revise a selected number of papers for this class:  You may revise the 2 short essays and either the Review or Literature or the Annotated Bibliography.  You must have earned a B- or lower on the original submission.  No revisions on the major paper and the casebook.  All revisions should be emailed to me within one week of your receipt of the original paper. If you chose to receive handwritten feedback on the paper, you must turn that in to me with the revision.  NO REVISIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON PAPERS THAT EARNED A GRADE OF B OR HIGHER.  Revisions need not be turned into turnitin.com.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

I will not tolerate plagiarism.  If you are unclear about how to document borrowed material, please download the handout “Avoiding Plagiarism” on the English Department Web Page.  Work that is not yours and/or is not properly documented will receive a “0”; and I reserve the right to fail you for the class, depending on the nature of the plagiarism.  I will report all incidents of intentional plagiarism to the Dean of Students, and evidence of this plagiarism will go in your permanent file.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

I expect you to be prepared for class.  You must have done the reading, and you must ask questions or offer insights.  It would be wise to come with a prepared question or comment every class.  If you are bored, pretend not to be.  If you are shy, get over it.  If you are sleepy, stand up.  You must be conscious and engaged in order to be counted present (see above Attendance Policy). As noted in the Student Conduct Code:

“Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on

student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” online http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf.

EMAIL POLICY

IT has set up a listserv for this class and automatically enrolled you, using your Winthrop POBox email address.  I will be emailing you during the semester through the listserv.  If you do not regularly check your POBox email account, please either forward your campus mail to the account you do check or manually subscribe to the class listserv from your preferred mailing address at http://www.winthrop.edu/acc/imailsrv.asp.    

I will allow you to email me the draft of a paper, but I will not correct or comment on your paper and email it back to you.  If you wish to confer with me about a draft, we will have that conference in person.

TURNITIN.COM

All papers will be due through www.turnitin.com at the beginning of class time on the dates listed on your calendar; The turnitin.com class i.d. is  11406911 .   The password is ENGL300S16.  Papers not submitted to www.turnitin.com will not be graded.

Students with Disabilities

Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 323-3290.  Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Disability Services, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.

ONCA Statement

The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards is here to help you find and apply for scholarships, fellowships, and awards for everything from study abroad to graduate school tuition.  Please check out the ONCA website at www.winthrop.edu/onca and fill out a Student Information Form, then email Dr. Bickford at onca@winthrop.edu to make an appointment.  The right nationally competitive award is out there for YOU!