ENGLISH 215: Readings in Literature
Virginia Commonwealth University, Spring 2002This course will be taught in the Blackboard environment (blackboard.vcu.edu).
Text in VCU Bookstore [You can order on-line at efollett.com]
The Norton Introduction to Literature, Shorter Eighth Edition.
We will also be making full use of the associated Web site ): http://www.wwnorton.com/introlit. You can use the CD of readings in 329 if you bring ear phones.
To the Course Syllabus (there will be changes...!)
Course Requirements
What we are up to in this course
The reading, writing, and telling of literature provides us not only with intellectual and emotional pleasure, but with better understanding of ourselves, our relationships, and our culture. But the deepest and most sustaining pleasures are not those which come from the first reading experience of following a plot and some characters to the end, as we can do easily with movies and television. It is the stories which we must attend to which stay with us and invite thoughtful re-reading over time.To read critically--intelligently, perceptively, affectively--is a complex, self-conscious activity. Creating meaning requires noticing, knowing, and asking questions, all of which requires careful rereadings and encountering interpretations verbalized by other readers. This process, which at its best is both personal and collaborative, results in "exploding" the possible meanings of a text.
To write critically is also a process, one which records and shares the reading moment, as well as one which works to present a well-argued and focused interpretation of a text in a paper. Again, this type of writing is collaborative at its best, since you measure your personal reading against those of other readers which confirm, challenge, and fine-tune your own critical interpretation.
Thus, critical reading and writing are totally and recursively linked into the thinking, feeling, and interpreting process--there is no point where one ends and the other begins. The more aware you become of this dynamic, the better you are as a reader.
To put it in simpler terms, we are going to read/reread/write/rewrite...., starting always with "what does it mean to me and why?" moving to "what are the many possibilities of interpretation?" and finally "what interpretation works best for me at this point of my reading and communicates most persuasively with other readers?" We will follow the natural progress of critical writing, from first reading responses, to rereading analyses, text interpretation, and critical arguments. This process will be relatively slow and recursive, allowing us to explore each successive step through carefully designed reading/writing protocols. To make this happen--and to put the teacher in her proper place as coach and resource--we will meet in the computer center, using the Web as a tool to achieve an interactive collaboration difficult to accomplish in an ordinary classroom structure.
Structure
This will be a truly dynamic course which will take its shape as we go. We will be writing in discussion groups constantly and reading everything we write, as well as the reading assignments. . You will need to read all of the discussion and comment on the ideas and issues raised throughout the class period. We will also have "off-line" discussions, at the beginning or ending of the class period.
Writing Assignments and Grading
Your writing, as well as your reading, will be more process than product-oriented which means that you will have some opportunity for revision after group critique and will be reading and commenting on other papers.. Details of the assignments and their percentage weight in the course will be found on Blackboard.
You and the Computer
I realize that some of you may still be uncomfortable using the computer, especially as a major part of a class. But I am here--in person--to help you get up to speed. You don't need your own computer to do this course (it does help, though!) , but you will probably need to access one (and there are plenty at VCU, in the library and an open lab in Hibbs 341 and in the basement) between our classes, especially as you reread and prepare for class discussion. Although you may have your own e-mail address, for this class (or any at VCU), you should use your VCU e-mail; you can access it easily through webmail.vcu.edu. Be sure to check that e-mail frequently, at least before every class. It's the major way that we will be communicating, individually and as a class.
We will have access to a printer to print out drafts, responses, and papers (relatively short stuff). To use the printer in Hibbs, you must either bring me a ream of copy paper (for unlimited copying) or pay by the page. Chances are you will not need to print at all.
Attendance
A major requirement is that you attend class regularly and that you do the assigned readings and respond to them (on the computer), preferably before you come to class. You can occasionally post your response before class and then respond to the class discussion within 24 hours if you must, but you will miss the energy of the discussion if you do (and there will be plenty of “face-to-face” work during the class period). Note: historically speaking, missing class and failing to post on time can DESTROY your grade, as it counts for 30% of the final grade.
Honor Policy
Because our work will often be collaborative, there are important integrity issues. You should not copy or print anyone's work from the computer (including the Web) without documentation and their permission and you should not "jump ahead" by reading hypertext or other responses before you have written your own. In other words, respect the work of others, even on the Internet, and give credit where credit is due, in no way presenting it as your own. Whenever you use ANYTHING from the Internet or the library, you should give the author, the title [and the web address], even if you are putting it in your own words.