SYLLABUS

ENGLISH 276: Twentieth Century Literature

Spring 2008

Section 1: MWF 10:00-10:50 (Room S115)

Instructor: Greg Ahrenhoerster

Home Phone: (414) 961-3297

Office Phone: (262) 521-5479

Electronic Mail: gahrenho@uwc.edu

OFFICE: W131

Office Hours: 11:00-12:00 WTWThF, and by appointment

Course Webpage: <http://waukesha.uwc.edu/eng/gahrenho/276syllabus.htm>

HANDOUTS

Group Presentation

Paper 1

The Mechanics of Writing about Literature

Paper 2

REQUIRED TEXTS: Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama.  10^th edition. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia, eds.

As I Lay Dying. William Faulkner.

Heart of Darkness. Joseph Conrad

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. James Joyce

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Tom Stoppard

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  The words “Twentieth Century Literature” pretty much sum up the objectives of the course.  This semester, I expect you to increase your understanding and appreciation of literature (fiction, poetry, and drama), but I also expect you to learn something about the important issues and events that defined the 20^th century.

In particular, we will be examining how the industrialization of the world during this era affected people and their understanding of their own role in the universe, especially their relationships with each other, nature, and God.

Officially, the English department’s objective for this course is as follows: “To introduce students to outstanding or representative English-language writers of the twentieth century and, through them, to some of the major literary movements of the era, particularly in England, Ireland and the USA.”

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Two papers
• Two tests
• In-class quizzes and exercises
• Group Presentation

The out-of-class papers must be computer generated, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.  You are all welcome and encouraged to use the computers in the Study Center or Computer Center. 

GRADING: (2) Papers (200 points)

(2) Exams (200 points)

(10) In-class Quizzes and assignments (100 points)

Group Presentation (50 points)

Discussion/Participation (100 points)

As you can see, there are 650 possible points available; I will assign final grades based on the following scale: 

        93-100% = A   80-82% = B-   67-69% = D+

        90-92% = A-   77-79% = C+   63-66% = D

        87-89% = B+   73-76% = C    60-62% = D-

        83-86% = B    70-72% = C-   below 60% = F

MY EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS: I expect all of the students in my class to do the following things: 

• Attend class and be on time
• Purchase all of the required textbooks
• Complete all reading and writing assignments when they are due
• Be actively engaged in the class, which included listening attentively, participating in class discussions, and not distracting oneself or others with electronic devices.

If I see that you are doing these things, then I will do everything I reasonably can to help you succeed in this course.  However, if you are not holding up your end of the bargain, then I am much less motivated to go out of my way to help you.

ATTENDANCE:  A significant portion of your grade is based on participation and discussion; obviously, you can do neither of these things if you are not in class.  Please also note that in-class quizzes and assignments cannot be made up, and papers will be deducted five (5) points if they are one class late and ten (10) points if they are two or more classes late. 

Please contact me as soon as possible if you anticipate missing classes or being unable to complete an assignment on time.

ASSESSMENT: The UW Colleges-wide assessment program was established to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the curriculum, programs, and services of the institution.  The institution-wide assessment activities focus on analytical, quantitative, communication, and aesthetic skills because they are of primary importance in the general education of our students.  This semester, students in English courses will be assessed on analytical or aesthetic skills.  Some students in composition classes will be assessed on their ability to interpret and synthesize information and ideas, and some students in literature and creative writing classes will be assessed on their ability to critically reflect on a work of art.

Each department also conducts assessment activities that address discipline-specific learning goals.  This year, the English Department is conducting a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning research project about how students use feedback from non-peer sources to improve their writing, which we hope will help provide us with information that will make us better teachers of English.  As part of this project you may be asked to complete a survey or specific assignment or some of your regular course materials may be collected. 

ACADEMIC HONESTY:  The Board of regents, administrators, faculty, academic staff, and students of the University of Wisconsin system believe that academic honesty and integrity are fundamental to the mission of higher education and of the University of Wisconsin System.  The University has a responsibility to promote academic honesty and integrity and to develop procedures to deal effectively with instances of academic dishonesty.  Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect for others’ academic endeavors.  Students who violate these standards must be confronted and must accept the consequences of their actions.

What this means is that you are not allowed to cheat on exams or quizzes, and when you are writing papers you MUST document any outside sources that you use.

HELP:  Please see me if you have any questions about an assignment or need help. 

You are strongly encouraged to make use of the writing tutors in the Study Center, who will gladly read a draft of your essay and give you helpful feedback.  You can also work with a writing tutor via e-mail with the UW-Waukesha Online Writing Lab; instructions are located at http://waukesha.uwc.edu/academics/owl/.

If you have a disability that will in any way affect your work in this class, please let me know so that I can work with you. Also, Judy Becker in Student services would like to talk to you to make sure that if you need special parking, or any other services, she can arrange them for you.

ASSESSMENT: The UW Colleges-wide assessment program was established to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the curriculum, programs, and services of the institution.  The institution-wide assessment activities focus on analytical, quantitative, and communication skills because they are of primary importance in the general education of our students.  This semester, students in composition will be assessed on communication skills, specifically the ability to communicate clearly, precisely, and in a well-organized manner.

Each department also conducts assessment activities that address discipline-specific learning goals.  This year, the English Department is focusing on what students learn in literature courses, specifically the skills of close reading and interpretation.  (Last year, the department assessed composition courses, and those who aren't teaching literature will be re-assessing their composition courses this year.) 

CALENDAR:  This schedule is subject to change and is provided primarily to give you an idea of the subjects we will be covering and let you know when major assignments are due so you can plan your life accordingly.  Many days there is a scheduled reading; I will expect that you will have the essay read by the day on which it appears. 

This entire class is about the readings.  It will be a boring class if you haven’t read the assigned material. DO YOUR READING!