ENGL 25000: Introduction to Literary Study (Section T)
Fall 2018 * T/Th 6:30-7:45 * NAC 4/121B
Instructor: Bradley Nelson * Office: NAC 6/321 * Office Hour: T/Th: 6:00-6:30
E-mail: bnelson@ccny.cuny.edu
Course Website: https://engl25001f18.commons.gc.cuny.edu/

This course offers an introduction for beginning English majors to the practices and concepts in the study of literature. We will think carefully about literature as a form of representation – about what literary texts mean as well as how they mean. The course will help students to develop a critical vocabulary and method for reading and writing about literature, as well as introduce them to the cultural contexts and backgrounds of various literary traditions. Our readings will explore a variety of genres and styles – short fiction, the novel, narrative poetry, lyric poetry, and forms of drama. Above all, this is a class in reading and (frequent) writing which will emphasize close reading techniques, interpretive approaches, the making of arguments, and the development of individual critical voices in order to prepare students to succeed in advanced English elective courses.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the course will: (1) acquire a basic understanding of the tools and concepts in the study of literature; (2) sharpen critical and rhetorical skills through close textual analysis; (3) attain a basic familiarity with a range of poetry, drama, and fiction in literary history; (4) learn to communicate well-argued claims both orally and in writing; and (5) develop introductory skills in academic research and literary analysis.

Required Texts and Materials: Required Texts will be posted to the course website under “Readings” as PDFs, which you will be required to bring with you to class. You will be required to buy the following 3 texts, available in the bookstore: http://ccny.textbookx.com/institutional/index.php?action=browse#books/1747945/

• Butler, Octavia. Parable of the Sower. Grand Central Publishing, 2000. ISBN: 9780446675505
• Kushner, Tony. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. Theatre Communications Group, 2013. ISBN: 9781559363846
• Stein, Gertrude. Tender Buttons. Dover, 1997. ISBN: 9780486298979

Attendance and Participation

In this course, participation is a broadly defined category. It includes an array of factors, including your proven ability to discuss the texts, your willingness to discuss them, and your active presence in the classroom. The rules for earning all 10 points are simple: 1. Do the readings on the date they have been assigned, because 2. You may be asked to volunteer your thoughts on them. And I expect you to cease all cell phone use during class. Let me know before class if you are anticipating an important phone call. Any violation of these three rules will count against your final participation grade.

However, weekly attendance is a very straightforward matter: More than four (4) unexcused absences will lower your final grade by 3 points for each subsequent day missed. Both arriving late and leaving early will be counted as an absence.

Assignments/Grade Breakdown (100 points total)

Writing Assignments (80 points): Details of each assignment can be found the course website. Each essay will be due by 6:30 PM on the date indicated on the syllabus.

Paper 1: Poetry Explication (20 points)
Paper 2: Application of Aesthetic Theory (20 points)
Paper Proposal & Annotated Bibliography (10 points)
Final Research Paper (30 points)

Reading Quizzes & In-Class Writing (10 points): Reading “checks” will be given at random within the first 10 minutes of class. The quizzes will not be meant to trick you; if you have finished the week’s reading you will most certainly pass with flying colors. Your lowest quiz grade will be thrown out at the end of the semester. There are no makeups.

Class Participation (10 points): See policies above.

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

The Writing Center

Every single one of us could use a bit of help with our writing, and while I am more than willing to give you one-on-one feedback during my office hours, I encourage you all to visit the Writing Center. Located in the Samuel Rudin Academic Resource Center on the third floor of the North Academic Center, the CCNY Writing Center is a great resource for additional help on papers in this or any other class. Call (212) 650-8104 to make an appointment or do so online (www.ccny.cuny.edu/writing).

If you visit the writing center before December 4, you will earn 3 extra credit points. You must present me with written proof of your attendance in order to earn the credit.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism has reached epidemic proportions in higher education. Blame smartphones, blame laziness, blame very understandable concerns over not having time to finish an assignment; either way, plagiarism will result in immediate failure of this course. Remember that as a student at City College, you are a part of a community of scholars for whom intellectual exchange is a privilege. Plagiarism, or the act of taking words and ideas that are not yours and passing them off as your own, is just as offensive as stealing someone’s laptop, purse, or newborn baby. (Yes, some academics consider their papers to be like precious children.) If you are caught plagiarizing, you not only will fail this course, but you run the risk of getting kicked out of the university. Don’t do it! And remember: I have use Google too, so yes, I will catch you.

For more information, see the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy: http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/la/Academic_Integrity_Policy.pdf