Professor Kelly L. Richardson                            Email: richardsonk@winthrop.edu

Bancroft 232                                                         Website: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/richardsonk

Office Phone: 323-4644                                 

Syllabus Change Policy:  Changes to the syllabus and calendar will be announced in class and posted to the online version at the class website found on my webpage: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/richardsonk. Please note that the online versions are  the most up-to-date one and will be the one to resolve any questions or issues. 

Texts

·         Ramazani, Jahan, Richard Ellmann, and Robert O’Clair, eds. The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry. 3^rd edition. 2 vols. New York: Norton, 2003. Print. (ISBN: 0-393-97978-4).

·         A literature handbook, such as Harmon and Holman’s A Handbook to Literature, is highly recommended. 

Catalog Description: A survey of American poetry of the 20th century with emphasis on major poets such as Pound, Frost, Stevens, Williams, Bishop, Brooks, Rich, and Levertov. Notes: Offered even years in the spring. Prerequisites: ENGL 211 or graduate status. WRIT 101 is a prerequisite for all ENGL courses. HMXP 102 and a previous ENGL course are prerequisites to any 500-level ENGL course.Bottom of Form

Course Goals This course specifically emphasizes the following English departmental 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.

3. Composing and Communications Skills: To develop advanced communication skills, majors will write thoughtful, well-organized essays conforming to standards of grammar, mechanics, and usage, including research papers on appropriate language and literature topics, that demonstrate correct use of standard reference tools and methods, and of primary and secondary sources and providing proper documentation of sources. Majors will construct persuasive arguments based on careful analysis and deliberation. 
4. Critical Analysis: Majors will critically analyze and interpret written and non-written texts (e.g. TV, film, and oral presentations) and demonstrate their ability to present coherent, defensible critical positions based on their analyses.

Learning Outcomes:
Students will have opportunities to meet the following objectives:
               Knowledge-Based Learning Objectives :

·         Recall factual information about the poems’ composition, author biography, historical time period, and “school” of poetry (if relevant). 

·         Explain characteristics of Modernism and Postmodernism in terms of the selected texts.

Information to meet these objectives will come primarily come from classroom presentations/explanations of terms, approaches, and literary research and 2) critical reading of textbook and research material. Assessments will be in the form of responses, questions on the midterm and final, and relevant inclusion on writing assignments.

Evaluation/Application-Based Learning Objectives

·         Analyze and interpret works for their poetic components. 

·         Apply the skills of literary research, including MLA documentation and research sources (e.g., the MLA bibliography online and the OED).

·         Apply various theoretical approaches to the selected texts.  These will be general applications and do not assume that the student has taken English 300/English 600. 

Students will apply content knowledge to analyze the poetry for literary features and its theoretical connections. Critical reading and writing responses will be used as the basis for assessments. For example, class discussion, informal and formal writing assignments, and discussion/essay responses on the midterm and final exams will ask students to apply their knowledge.

Creative-Based Learning Objectives

·         Create arguments of their own in shorter and longer essays. 

·         Integrate those arguments with appropriate literary research.

·         Engage in self-reflection about their reading and writing processes. 

Information related to these objectives will primarily come through student development of arguments in formal papers as well as analysis of sources. 

Course Requirements:

  ****ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THE CLASS. 

Explanation of Course Requirements:

UNDERGRADUATES:
Class Participation (10%) Students will be expected to participate in daily discussions as well as small group and whole class activities. You should be prepared for class by having read the material carefully and being prepared to contribute a comment/question about the day’s material.   

 Three Short papers (Paper #1: 10%, Paper #2: 10%, Paper #3 15%- 35% total)

These shorter writing assignments are designed to help you prepare for the longer paper due at the end of the course.  Prompts will be assigned, and they will not require outside research. At least one of these will be an explication of a poem.

Critical Essay (20% total)

This 8-10 page paper will give you an opportunity to explore, research, and construct an argument about a selected poet/poem. Students will be expected to turn in a prospectus and be prepared to discuss their research as they develop their final papers.
 

Midterm (15 %) and Cumulative Final (20%)

Unless otherwise announced, these usually consist of short discussion questions, quotation identification and discussion questions, and essays.

GRADUATE STUDENTS:
Students will be expected to participate in daily discussions as well as small group and whole class activities. You should be prepared for class by having read the material carefully and being prepared to contribute a comment/question about the day’s material.  

Leading Class Discussion (10%)

Each participant will be expected to lead classroom discussion once during the course (in addition to the daily participation).  Participants will have 30 minutes to present on the writers/works and to lead us in discussion.  A handout should be prepared and distributed to the class, which includes key information, the clear integration of at least 3-5 secondary sources, and 3 well-developed questions that we can use to prompt discussion. 

2 short interpretive papers: (Paper 1 10%, Paper 2 15%; 25% total)  The first paper will be an explication exercise. The second paper option will ask you to select a text (or texts) from that week’s reading to make an argumentative claim.  Research is not required; however, if it is necessary, sources need to follow MLA format.

Paper: (10%)You will prepare a paper on an additional topic/poet (scholarly reading will be a part of this assignment). (presentation component removed because of time constraints)

1 Long Critical Essay: (20%)This 12-15 page paper will give you an opportunity to examine some issue of interest to you.  These papers should be argumentative in nature, making a claim about the material.  You’ll prepare a prospectus and you should be ready to talk about the research. If time permits, I’ll ask you to present a brief version of your paper to your peers.

Midterm (15 %) and Cumulative Final (20%)

Unless otherwise announced, these usually consist of short discussion questions, quotation identification and discussion questions, and essays.

Syllabus Change Policy: The policy statement posted on my class web page is the most up-to-date one and will be the one we use to resolve any questions or issues.

Undergraduate Grading Standards:
Grades are based on the following:

A             =              93-100                                                   D-            =              60-62

A-            =              90-92                                                     F              =              59 and below
B+           =              87-89

B              =              83-86

B-            =              80-82
C+           =              77-79

C              =              73-76

C-            =              70-72

D+           =              67-69

D             =              63-66

Graduate Grading Standards:

Grades for courses taken for graduate credit are recorded as follows:

A      Excellent (4 quality points per semester hour)

A-     (3.67 quality points per semester hour)

B+    (3.33 quality points per semester hour)

B      Satisfactory (3 quality points per semester hour)

B-     (2.67 quality points per semester hour)

C+    (2.33 quality points per semester hour)

C      Passing (2 quality points per semester hour)

F       Failure

N      No Grade, indicating the student withdrew from the course

AU    Audit

S*     Satisfactory:  S indicates satisfactory achievement (equivalent to B or above) on a course taken on satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

U*         Unsatisfactory:  U indicates unsatisfactory achievement (equivalent to C or below) on a course taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

I        Incomplete:  I must be used only as a prefix to a grade

*S/U is awarded only in those courses so designated.

Graduate grades in this class are based on the following scale:

A             =              93-100                                                  

A-            =              90-92                                                    
B+           =              87-89

B              =              83-86

B-            =              80-82
C+           =              77-79

C              =              73-76

C-            =              70-72
F              =              69 and below

Final Examination:

The final examination for this class is scheduled for Monday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. Winthrop University policy requires that all classes meet during their scheduled final examination period. This schedule can be found on the Records and Registration website. Winthrop University policy specifies that personal conflicts such as travel plans and work schedules do not warrant a change in examination time. You are responsible for checking the time of your final examination and for making arrangements to be there.

Plagiarism Policy:

Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")–whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not. It is also a violation of section V, "Academic Misconduct," under the Winthrop Student Conduct Code). The English Department has prepared The Correct Use of Borrowed Information to explain plagiarism. Ignorance or failure to consult this material is no excuse.

MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT ALL OF YOUR SUBMITTED WORK IS ORIGINAL AND HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR THIS CLASS. AT THIS POINT, I EXPECT FOR EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO DOCUMENT AND INCORPORATE BORROWED MATERIAL APPROPRIATELY. In this course, depending on the nature and severity of the offense, the plagiarism policy ranges from a 0 on a particular assignment to failing the assignment to failing the course, as well as being subject to the school’s disciplinary system.

Student Code of Conduct:

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” in the online Student Handbook.

Duplicate Submission of Papers

You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance. This is to conform to the Student Code of Conduct, §V, which states: "Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to … presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the professors involved." (Student Code of Conduct §V)

Turnitin.com

We will be using the TurnItIn program.  I’ll distribute the course id and password in class.  Work will not be graded until they have been submitted.

Late Paper/Assignment Policy:

This policy varies with the type of assignment.  Informal assignments such as in-class activities obviously cannot be made up.  For formal papers, the work is due in-class according to the dates on the schedule.  For formal essays, any work not handed in during the class will be penalized a half-letter grade for being late, and then one letter grade for each day late thereafter.  (This includes weekends).  For example, if a paper is due in class on Monday at 6:30 , and you’re not there but show up at my office at 9:20, your paper will receive a half-letter grade deduction.  However, if I do not receive the paper until Tuesday, it will receive a letter and a half grade deduction: half a grade for not having it in class, and an additional letter grade for it being a day late.  Please note that I consider the paper being turned in when I receive it in my hands—not under my door, in an email (without PRIOR permission), or in my mailbox.  Students will only be allowed to make up exams in the event of an unforeseeable emergency.  Documentation of the absence is REQUIRED before consideration for a make-up will be given.  Please note: If some kind of unforeseeable medical or legal situation arises, notify me as soon as possible.  Depending upon the severity of the situation and the nature of the documentation provided, this late policy may be adjusted.

Attendance Policy: 

I expect that you will attend every class; however, I will follow the standard Winthrop policy, which states: “Students are expected to attend classes and should understand that they are responsible for the academic consequences of absence.  The student is responsible for all requirements of the course regardless of absences. Instructors are obligated to provide makeup opportunities only for students who are absent with adequate cause such as incapacitating illness, death of an immediate family member, or authorized representation of the university.  The instructor will be responsible for judging the adequacy of cause for absence.  The student is responsible for providing documentation certifying the legitimacy of the absence to his or her instructor in advance of such absences.  In health-related or family emergency cases where advance notice is not possible, documentation should be provided to the instructor no later than the date the student returns to class.  . . . If a student’s absences in a course total 25 percent or more of the class meetings for the course, the student will receive a grade of N if the student withdraws from the course before the withdrawal deadline; after that date, unless warranted by documented extenuating circumstances as described in the previous section, a grade of F or U shall be assigned.”

***14 class meetings are scheduled, so that means you have 2 absences. 

-Being late of more than 10 minutes, answering a cell phone or text message, or sleeping in class will result in an absence. Three tardies of fewer than 10 minutes will equal an absence.

Instructor Accessibility:

You can expect me to be available as a resource from which to draw and to obtain feedback. I am very responsive to email questions as long as I know who the email is from and have all information necessary to provide a complete answer. Please be sure to “sign” your emails as oftentimes email names are confusing at best (e.g., brownb1@winthrop.edu could be Bob Brown or Beth Brown). Please make sure to speak slowly and comprehensibly if leaving a voicemail so that I can decipher the name, message, and return phone number as well. What you cannot expect of me is to be available 24/7. While I do check my email and voicemail regularly, I do not necessarily check them more than once a day or late in the evenings or on weekends. Therefore, if you procrastinate on an assignment, you may not have the information you need to complete the assignment appropriately. Please plan your time accordingly to maximize the probability that you will receive a response in time for it to be useful.

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 803-323-3290.  Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Disability Services, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.

Appropriate Use of Hand-Held and Wireless Technology:
I will follow the College of Arts and Sciences policy regarding cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices:  http://www2.winthrop.edu/artscience/AppropriateUseApprovedPolicyMar2010.pdf     

Additional Notes about the Use of Electronic Devices:

• Texting or emailing in class will result in an absence. 

• Unless required by a documented accommodation, lap tops should not be used in class.
• During exams, I will usually ask students to place their belongings—including their phones—in the front of the room. 

Safe Zones Statement:

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor’s expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting Your Instructor:

All instructors in the Department have voice mail in their offices and Winthrop e-mail addresses. Make sure you write down your instructor’s phone number and e-mail address where you will not lose it. You can leave messages for your instructor in the department mailroom, 248 Bancroft, which is open from 8:30-5:00 each day.

Writing Center: The Writing Center provides support for all students in all Winthrop classes free of charge. It is located in 242 Bancroft (x-2138). Check its web page for current hours. http://www2.winthrop.edu/wcenter/