ENGL 200–The Lord of the Rings (Spr. 2008)

TR 2:00-3:15 Owen 202

Dr. John Bird

Office: 260 Bancroft

Phone: 323-3679

e-mail: birdj@winthrop.edu

birdj1@peoplepc.com

Web Page: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/birdj

Office Hours:

MWR 1:00-2:00

M 3:30-6:30

or by appointment

DESCRIPTION:

A study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, with attention to narrative strategies, myth, the hero journey, literary backgrounds, history, biography, and the creative process. Students will read, write, and discuss Tolkien’s work and the work of Tolkien’s critics and biographers.

GOALS:

A. Content Knowledge: The student will demonstrate knowledge of . . .

C various forms of written texts

C major periods in the history of American literature in terms of cultural contexts, style, dominant genres, language, and subject matter

C the standard terminology of literary analysis

C various critical approaches

C writers from different cultural, ethnic, and minority backgrounds

B. Analytical and Interpretive Skills: The student will critically analyze and interpret texts in terms of . . .

C historical period, national origin and characteristics, content, and cultural, ethnic, or minority background of the writer

C style, tone, implied meaning, humor, and structure

C language, themes, genre, and rhetorical strategies

C critical approaches

C. Communication Skills: The student will . . .

C write thoughtful, well-organized, and stylistically mature essays conforming to standards of grammar, mechanics, and usage generally accepted in the academic community

C write research papers on appropriate literature topics, demonstrating correct use of standard reference tools and methods of primary and secondary sources and providing proper documentation of sources

C present information in clear standard English

C construct persuasive arguments based on careful analysis and deliberation and using a voice and format suitable for the intended audience

REQUIREMENTS:

< attendance and participation

< two 5-8 pp. essays (20% each)

< midterm exam (20%)

< final exam (20%)

< reading journal (10%)

< creative project (10%)

ATTENDANCE: I will follow the Winthrop attendance policy, which means that seven or more absences for any reason will result in an automatic grade of "F" for the course. Except for emergencies, you should never miss any classes, but if you find that you must miss, please let me know, beforehand if possible. Each missed class above two will result in a one-point grade average penalty for each day; e.g., three absences=one point penalty; four absences=two point penalty, and so on. I will take attendance every day.

GRADING SCALE:

A 94-100

A- 91-93

B+ 88-90

B 84-87

B- 81-83

C+ 78-80

C 74-77

C- 71-73

D+ 68-70

D 64-67

D- 61-63

F 0-60

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: I trust you and expect that you will follow all rules of academic honesty. I will also make sure you understand proper MLA documentation. However, if you plagiarize or break other rules of academic honesty, you will receive a zero for the assignment. I will also report the breach of academic honesty to the university, and further penalties may result, including failure of the course and even expulsion from college.

TEXTS:

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings (one volume edition)

Humphrey Carpenter, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography

Rose A. Zimbardo and Neil D. Isaacs, Understanding the Lord of the Rings

 

 

SYLLABUS (students are responsible for any changes):

JANUARY

15 T

Introduction

17 R

The Fellowship of the Ring, Book One: Ch. 1-2

22 T

The Fellowship of the Ring, Book One: Ch. 3-6

24 R

The Fellowship of the Ring, Book One: Ch. 7-10

29 T

The Fellowship of the Ring, Book One: Ch. 11-12; Book Two: Ch. 1-2

31 R

The Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two: Ch. 3-6

FEBRUARY

5 T

The Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two: Ch. 7-10

7 R

The Two Towers, Book Three: Ch. 1-4

12 T

The Two Towers, Book Three: Ch. 5-7

14 R

The Two Towers, Book Three: Ch. 8-10

15 F

paper due by 5:00 p.m. in my office

19 T

The Two Towers, Book Four: Ch. 1-3

21 R

The Two Towers, Book Four: Ch. 4-7

26 T

The Two Towers, Book Four: Ch. 8-10

28 R

The Return of the King, Book Five: Ch. 1-4

MARCH

4 T

The Return of the King, Book Five: Ch. 5-8

6 R

The Return of the King, Book Five: Ch. 9-10; Book Six: Ch. 1-2

11 T

The Return of the King, Book Six: Ch. 3-5

13 R

The Return of the King, Book Six: Ch. 6-9

17 —21 F

Spring Break

25 T

Midterm Exam

27 R

Carpenter, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography

APRIL

1 T

Carpenter, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography

3 R

Carpenter, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography

8 T

Zimbardo and Isaacs, Understanding the Lord of the Rings

10 R

Zimbardo and Isaacs, Understanding the Lord of the Rings

11 F

paper due by 5:00 p.m. in my office

15 T

Zimbardo and Isaacs, Understanding the Lord of the Rings

17 R

Zimbardo and Isaacs, Understanding the Lord of the Rings

22 T

Creative Projects

24 R

Creative Projects; Many Partings

29 T

Study Day

MAY

5 M

Final Exam–3:00 p.m.