. . . be respectful of fellow students and refrain from behavior that might impair their learning opportunities. Any behavior that substantially and repeatedly interrupts the instructor's ability to teach or the students' ability to learn will result in appropriate penalties. Disruptive behavior includes inappropriate use of communications technology in the classroom, such as ringing cell phones, text-messaging, watching videos, playing computer games, doing email, or surfing the Internet on one's computer instead of note-taking or other instructor-sanctioned activities. For further clarification of UMD policies in this regard, consult UMD's Student Conduct Code at
"http://www.d.umn.edu/conduct/code/".
Requirements
Early-Term Exam—addressing issues from the first part of the semester and serving as a springboard for the research paper. (on February 15th)
Final Examcumulative with an emphasis on issues from the second part of the semester. (on May 8th from noon to 1:55pm)
Paper Proposal150-word overview of your paper topicpart of your participation grade. (due on February 8th)
Annotated Bibliographyproduce a list of 7 secondary sources in MLA Format and write 150 words of commentary for each source. (due on March 21st)
Research Papera minimum of 10 typed, double-spaced pages of literary analysis citing at least 5 different secondary sources a maximum 30% of which can be obtained from the Internet. It must adhere to the MLA documentation style. With further revision, this paper can fulfill the research paper requirement for your English Portfolio. (due on April 30th)
Peer Editingin class two weeks before the paper is due. (on April 16th)
Quizzesshort-answer questions on readings taking place on January 30th, March 7th, and April 4th.
Participationparticipation in group discussions, attendance, etc.
Grade Breakdown
Midterm | 10% |
Final | 35% |
Research Paper | 40% |
Quizzes | 7.5% |
Participation | 7.5% |
Your grade will depend primarily on your written work and the understanding of the material that you convey through that work. A command of standard written English and the ability to present an argument will also contribute to the determination of your grade.
If you turn a paper in late, your paper will receive a deduction of 1/3 of a letter grade for each business day that it is late. Students who miss exams may not make them up without a valid excuse for the absence. Valid excuses include health emergencies, family crises. If students anticipate missing an exam or a paper deadline for a valid reason and consult with me in advance, I can consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Academic dishonesty tarnishes the reputation of the University of Minnesota Duluth and discredits the accomplishments of its students. Because the university is committed to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit, it must insist on an environment of trust, honest, and fairness. Consequently, all members of the academic community must regard any act of academic dishonesty as a serious offense. In keeping with this ideal, this course will adhere to UMD's Student Academic Integrity Policy, which is available online at
"http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/integrity/". This policy sanctions students engaging in academic dishonesty with penalties up to and including expulsion from the university for repeat offenders.
Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might influence their capacity to perform in this class, are encouraged to inform me at the start of the semester. I can make special adaptations of teaching methods, assignments, materials, or testing as required to provide for equitable participation in the course. The Disability Resources Center is also available to assist students with disabilities. It is located in 258 Kirby Student Center and on the web at
"http://www.d.umn.edu/access".
Required Readings
Albee, Edward. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 1962. New York: Penguin, 2006. Print.
Bishop, Elizabeth. The Complete Poems. New York: Farrar, Strauss, Giroux, 1983. Print.
Egan, Jennifer. A Visit from the Goon Squad. New York: Random House, 2010. Print.
Faulkner, William. Absalom, Absalom! 1936. New York: Vintage, 1990. Print.
Hemingway, Ernest. The Sun Also Rises. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1926. Print.
Morrison, Toni. Beloved. 1987. New York: Vintage, 2004. Print.
Stevens, Wallace. Collected Poems. New York: 1990. Print.
I will provide a list of supplementary readings in a later addendum to this syllabus.