English 200.03: The Byronic Hero in Fiction and Film, Fall 2010, 3 credit hours
Office: Bancroft 208
Office Phone: 323-4554
E-mail: martinme@winthrop.edu
Web: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/martinme
Dr. Mary E. Martin
Office Hours: MW 11:30-12:30; TR 2:00-3:00 PM, and by appointment
Class Meeting: MW 9:30-10:45 AM, CARR 108
"...mad, bad, and dangerous to know...."
--description of Lord Byron by former lover Lady Caroline Lamb
Texts:
1. Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Oxford: Oxford U. Press, 2008.Print.
2. Bronte, Emily. Wuthering Heights. New York: Pearson Longman, 2009. Print.
3. Stoker, Bram. Dracula. London: Puffin, 2009. Print.
4. Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Oxford: Oxford U. Press, 2008. Print.
Course Description: English 200 is a course that focuses on specific literary genres. In particular, this course will look at Byron's poetry and how his image created a hero who has influenced culture and literature since his time, especially in nineteenth century British novels and in contemporary fiction and film. We will explore how the Byronic hero embodies both rebel and leader, both outcast and glamorous figure. After examining Byron's life and poetry, we will move to novels famous for their dark heroes: Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Dracula, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. Assignments will include a midterm and final exam. Students will also choose contemporary dark heroes or heroines in contemporary fiction or film who echo and transform the Byronic hero, presenting their findings through oral and written arguments. These contemporary characters may come from the western, science fiction, supernatural, or action-adventure plots. The class will address such questions as: How do we define a hero? Why are "bad boys" admired as heroes? Can the Byronic hero be viewed as a role model?
This course specifically emphasizes the following English Department goals:
1. Knowledge of Literature: Within the literature area majors will demonstrate knowledge of various forms of written texts, major periods in the history of English, American, and world literature, and standard terminology of literary analysis. English majors will demonstrate
1.1 knowledge of various forms of written texts (including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, essay, and other literary genres);
1.2 knowledge of male and female world, English, and American authors of recognized importance drawn from a variety of cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds;
1.3 knowledge of major periods in the history of English, American, and world literature in terms of cultural contexts, styles, dominant genres, language, and subject matter;
1.5 an understanding of the role that literature plays in the development and understanding of human cultures;
1.6 knowledge of the standard terminology of literary analysis as found in a glossary of literary terms or a handbook to literature
1.7 knowledge of standard reference tools, methods, and forms of documentation in scholarly research; and
1.8 the ability to read and interpret an unfamiliar literary text of average difficulty with comprehension of its content and relevant literary characteristics.
This course may be met to fulfill either the Humanities and Arts requirement or the Global Perspectives requirement of the General Education Program.
This course fulfills Touchstone Goals:
1.1. Read, write, and speak standard English.
1.2. Analyze written, spoken, and nonverbal messages from a variety of disciplines.
2.2. Analyze and use a variety of information gathering techniques;
2.3. Conduct independent research; and
2.5. Use the library and other information sources competently.
4.1. Analyze diverse cultures, historical periods and artistic expressions.
4.2. Understand cultures in their own terms and in terms of the diversity of ideas, institutions, philosophies, moral codes, and ethical principles.
6.1. Participate in and/or observe a variety of artistic expressions;
6.2. Study the discipline and techniques involved in artistic creations; and
6.3. Understand how and why people use artistic form.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Learning Objectives Related to the Humanities & Arts Perspective:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for diverse intellectual and/or cultural viewpoints.
2. Critically evaluate diverse intellectual and/or cultural viewpoints.
3. Critically evaluate aesthetic process and/or experience.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of creative process and aesthetic values.
5. Engage in the creative process through composition and/or performance.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the arts.
7. Demonstrate understanding of the relationships among various art forms within their sociohistorical contexts.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for diverse values and beliefs.
9. Critically evaluate those values and beliefs.
10. Examine their own values and beliefs.
11. Critically evaluate material in a variety of formats (e.g., written, aural, visual, etc.)
12. Gather information and to develop and effectively communicate ideas in Standard English.
13. Conduct independent research and/or analysis.
14. Discriminate among information sources (e.g., print sources, visual media, internet sources, performances and exhibitions, interviews, etc.).
Knowledge: By the end of the semester, students will be able to
--Identify how British nineteenth century poetry and novels and contemporary American fiction and film characters function as cultural artifacts and as works of art/literature (Humanities LO 3,6,7)
--Identify the role that literature plays in the development and understanding of human cultures (Humanities LO 7,8,9)
--Describe how the selected literature reflects and reinforces "the diversity of ideas, institutions, philosophies, moral codes, and ethical principles" (Touchstone Goal # 4;Humanities LO 2,8,9,10)
Skills: By the end of the semester, students will be able to
--Demonstrate their ability to read critically and to write analytically about literature through successful completion of tests, papers, and other graded work (Humanities LO 12)
--Demonstrate a basic understanding of the processes appropriate to composing in a variety of forms and for a variety of audiences and purposes (Humanities LO 12)
--Apply the skills of literary research, including MLA documentation and research (e.g., the MLA bibliography online and the OED) (Humanities LO 13,14)
--Incorporate appropriate literary terminology in discussions of assigned literary works.
Attitudes: By the end of the semester, students will be able to
--Recognize literature as a source of wonder and insight (Humanities LO 3,4,9,10)
See a complete listing of course goals for the Department of English at http://www.winthrop.edu/english/goals.htm. This course meets goals 1.1-1.8 & 3.1-4.3. Specific goals for teacher certification majors, including a link to NCATE and NCTE, are listed at http://wwww.winthrop.edu/english/goals.htm#englished.
Course Requirements:
What Happens in Class: To me, teaching--like writing--is based on having a good conversation. As a result, I value my students' involvement in class discussion and development. Class depends on your involvement. I don't outline or present power points; you should take notes from class discussion. I do write important concepts and terms on the board, but the revelations and discoveries arrived from class discussion are also important to note. I think in non-linear ways which means I'm quick to synthesize material effectively, but for those of you who are used to mostly linear class structure, you will need to ask questions for clarification at times, or ask me to slow down or re-state what the class has just discussed. Remember, don't underestimate the importance of your role in this course and in making this an important learning experience not only for you but for all of us.
Reading: This class is reading intensive. But the reading is manageable, especially if you train yourself to read a little bit each night, instead of trying to cram each day's homework into one reading session. The first two novels we're reading--Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre--will take time and patience to get used to the nineteenth century style of writing, but both novels are intriguing, and you will soon find yourselves captivated by these women's stories.
Exams--35%: You will have a midterm exam for 15%, and a final exam for 20%. Your final exam meets Tuesday, December 14, at 3:00 PM. All exams will require term identification, short passage identification, and at least one essay. Winthrop University policy requires that all classes meet during their final examination period. Winthrop University policy specifies that personal conflicts such as travel plans and work schedules do not warrant a change in the examination time.
Paper--15%: Around midterm, I will be distributing paper assignments asking for a comparison/contrast analysis based on the final presentations. Your paper will be five-seven pages (typed, 10 to 12 point font, MLA format), turned in to me electronically through turnitin.com as well as a hard copy on the due date in class. You may meet with me in my office to discuss the paper, and you may also wish to visit the English Department home page, located at http://www.winthrop.edu/english. From there you can find links to MLA to see how to cite materials correctly and to the English core page (http://www.winthrop.edu/english/core.htm ), which has helpful hints for writing papers. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade for each class day late. If you are having problems completing the assignment, please see me before the paper is due.
Short Essays--10%: To practice your cognitive and analytical skills, you will be asked to respond to two in-class prompt during the semester. The possible questions will be about the reading for a certain day, the themes we've been discussing about that reading, or what the passage suggests about the Byronic hero.
Group Presentations:--10% for Dracula presentation, and 15% for final presentation based on contemporary Byronic hero or heroine : Each student will participate in a group that presents to the class a comparison/contrast of a Dracula film with the novel. The final presentations will be based on a comparison/contrast of a contemporary hero/heroine with the nineteenth century manifestations of the Byronic hero. A handout will be dispersed that gives details of what should be covered in the presentations.
Reading Quizzes and Participation--15%: Your preparedness in class discussions is important. This includes demonstrating understanding of the assigned readings, asking thoughtful questions, making critical comments, listening carefully to others, and being on time. Contributions should focus on the ideas brought up by the readings and/or their historical context, not merely on summaries of the readings. I will administer reading quizzes each class reading is due as part of your participation grade. The calendar of reading assignments may change at any time, so be sure to listen in class for any changes made to the assignment schedule.
Remember, all assignments must be completed in order to receive credit for the class.
Syllabus Change Policy: The policy statement posted on my class web page is the most up-to-date one and will be the one to resolve any questions or issues.
Grading Standards:
A description of letter grades for writing assignments can be found at http://www.winthrop.edu/english/WritingProgram/rubric.htm.
Grading Equivalencies:
As you know, the University has adopted the plus/minus system. Your written work will receive a numeric grade; for the purpose of tallying your final grade in the class, you should know I use the following scale:
A 93-100; A- 90-92; B+ 87-89; B 83-86; B- 80-82; C+ 77-79; C 74-76; C- 70-73; D+ 67-69; D 63-66; D- 60-62; F 59 and below
Plagiarism Policy:
Please review the English Department's policy on the Correct Use of Borrowed Information at http://www.winthrop.edu/english/plagiarism.htm. You are responsible for reviewing the Code of Student Conduct in your Student Handbook and the description of plagiarism in The Prentice-Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage and handling source materials correctly. In this course, unintentional plagiarism will receive the grade of zero with a chance to rewrite. Intentional plagiarism will result in an "F" for the course.
Attendance Policy:
Anyone missing over five classes will automatically fail the course. ONLY those absences you've contacted me about AHEAD OF TIME will warrant making up work. Therefore, if you miss an in-class writing or exam, and haven't contacted me ahead of time, you will fail the class as well. Remember, you cannot make up a reading quiz when class is missed. I will drop the lowest quiz grade at the end of the semester. Frequent absences will be reflected in your class participation grade, as well as frequent tardiness.
Class Behavior Policy:
Please turn off cell phones and keep them off your desk and out of sight. Anyone observed using his/her cell phone in class will receive an absence for the day. Anyone caught sleeping in class will receive an absence for the day, as well as anyone being continually disruptive in class. Remember, 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 Accounts & the 208 Listserv:
IT has set up a listserv for this class and automatically enrolled you, using your Winthrop P0Box email address. I will be emailing you as needed during the semester through the listserv. If you do not regularly check your P0Box email account, please 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.
Students with Disabilities:
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and need classroom accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible. Once you have your Professor Notification Form, please tell me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first assignment.