ENC 1102

 

 

 


 

Literary Analysis

 

Spring 2006

 

Instructor: Roberto Herrera

English Department    DM 453

E-mail: Herrera@fiu.edu

Office hours: By appointment

 

  Class# 18971              Section U4F                                                    Class # 11624                Section U1J

  Room: ECS 134                                                                                 Room: GC 276

  Time: 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM (TuTh)                                                     Time: 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM (TuTh)

 

PREREQUSITE

 

Students enrolled in ENC 1102 should have successfully completed ENC 1101 (Freshman Composition), including the first library session of the FIU Information Literacy Program.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

The objective of this course is to help students continue to develop their reading, writing, and research skills.  The focus is on literary analysis, with particular emphasis on critical reading, analytical writing, and the use of literary sources to support original, scholarly argument.  We will begin with a review of 20th century historical events and scientific and technological achievements—including various psychological theories—of particular importance in understanding the literature that we will be examining and proceed to analyze literary texts, considering rhetorical strategy and recognizing how writers are influenced by their life experiences in their cultural and historical context.

 

Class activities include lecture, student writing, peer reviews, instructor-student conferences, and collaborative research projects, including one class presentation by two-student teams on a topic assigned by the instructor. Two library experiences are also part of this course.  These sessions are a continuation of the university’s required information literacy program that began in your Freshman Experience and ENC 1101.  The sessions expand on the earlier modules, exposing the student to more sophisticated methods of effective library database research vital to the successful completion of research assignments.

 

This course requires three take-home essays, in addition to the reading assignments.  These are not reports you will be writing.  Successful completion of ENC 1102 requires refinement of critical reading, thinking, and writing skills. Accordingly, students will be asked to analyze the style and rhetorical approach of professional writers as shaped by their response to historical/cultural circumstances and to present their views in well-researched, properly documented essays, demonstrating good understanding of the subject, sound argumentative structure, appropriate use of sources, and effective synthesizing of new ideas with their own.  In developing their essays, students will be expected to use the full writing process of invention, drafting, revising, and editing.

  

There will be two tests focusing on material from the assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, and student presentations.  Due dates for all assignments and a reading schedule will be established in class.


 

REQUIRED TEXTS

 

Ψ      Gardner, Janet E.  Writing About Literature, (2004).

Ψ      Orwell, George.  Nineteen Eighty-Four, (May 1976 publication; Signet Classics).

Ψ      Huxley, Aldous.  Brave New World, (July 1998 publication; HarperCollins Publishers) .

Ψ      Lunsford, Andrea A. The Everyday Writer (2005; third edition) 

 

INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS AND CLASS RULES 

 

As your teacher, I will do everything I can to help you succeed in this course.  Therefore, I expect your best effort.  This begins with being in class every day, on time, with cell phones OFF, and ready to contribute to class discussion.  I understand that sometimes it is not possible for a student to attend class, thus I allow a maximum of TWO absences in a standard semester and only ONE absence in a short summer semester.  After that, your final score will be reduced by one-half of a letter grade for each absence.  Therefore, if there are personal reasons that you believe will prevent you from meeting attendance requirements, you should seriously consider taking the course in another semester.  In addition, students who are consistently late to class will also be penalized a minimum of one-half of a letter grade.  Should you miss a class, you are responsible for getting the assignment.  Consequently, if you are absent, be sure to contact a classmate or get in touch with me as soon as possible.  Late papers within one week of the due date will receive a reduced score of one full letter grade and will not be accepted at all if over one week late. Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor and not later than one week from the original exam date.  Exceptions will be made for legitimate, verifiable cases of illness and emergencies, and religious holidays will be accommodated.  Grievances or questions about grades or assignments should be discussed with the instructor.  Unresolved issues may be taken to the Undergraduate Writing Program Director, Dr. Kimberly Harrison.

 

Students are expected to maintain a portfolio of all their written work (all essays and exams).  Anytime assignments are due, the papers must first be placed in a folder (no three-ring binders, please), with the latest entry on top, and turned in to me at the end of class.  I will return your folder after grading your papers.  Please keep hard copies of your work, in addition to the electronic documents in your computer. 

 

As a final point, plagiarism will not be tolerated.  The penalty is an F on the offending work and the strong possibility of failing the course. Dismissal from the university is also a possibility. On the first day of class, I will give you a handout that clearly explains what constitutes plagiarism.  Be sure to read it and come to me with any questions. It is imperative that you understand what plagiarism is and the consequences.  Personally, I find intentional plagiarism to be disrespectful and disturbingly dishonest.

 

WRITING RULES

 

  • All take-home writing assignments must be typed.
  • Include your name, date and course information in the upper left hand corner of your papers.
  • Use 8½” x 11” plain white paper and 12 point Times Roman or similar font face.
  • Always double space and indent your paragraphs 5 spaces.
  • Include a title in all your essays.
  • Leave a 1.25” margin on the left and right sides and a 1” margin on top and bottom of the paper.

 

 GRADING

 

Text Box: * The progressive grade value emphasis of the essays is intended to reward progress.  As we move through the course, I expect to see improvement in your research, text analysis, and writing skills; in effect, I am looking for development in your ability to write clear and insightful literary analyses.  

 

 

 

 

            Attendance and class participation………….……...10%

Exams……………….…..………………………….15%

In-class presentations………………………………15%                   

1st Essay…………………………………….….…..10%

2nd Essay………………………………………...….20%

3rd Essay*..…………………………………………30%