Spring 2008 Course Requirements and Policies
- Two short papers (3-5 pages) in which you apply literary principles or theories discussed in class to a work of literature you have read. In other words, use the readings in Richter to develop a way of analyzing a specific work of literature. You may want to use a work of literature to support or refute a particular critical argument or theory. You should not need to do research for this paper. If you write about a work of literature you are currently reading in another class, make sure you do not submit this paper to that class. (10% each, 20% total)
- A 10-page conference paper that will be delivered orally at our academic conference in April. The written version will be due at the end of the semester. (30%) This paper should be similar to the shorter papers, in that you will apply one or more of the critical principles we've read about to a work of literature. But in this paper your analysis should be developed in the context of relevant secondary literature.
- An abstract of your conference paper. (10%).
- An annotated bibliography for your conference paper (10%).
- Class participation and preparation (10%). Note that this portion of your grade will be adversely affected by frequent late arrivals or early departures, sleeping or chatting during class, and clock gazing. (See also the attendance policy, below.) I reserve the right to begin administering quizzes and assigning daily response papers if it appears that students are not prepared for class discussion.
- Final exam (20%).
- [ENGL 562 students will present one of their short papers to the rest of the class.]
MAJOR FIELD ASSESSMENT TEST (MFT)
At the end of this course you will take the Major Field Assessment Test in English Literature. The results of this exam will not be a factor in your final grade, but they provide Longwood University with important information about the knowledge and skills acquired by students in the undergraduate English curriculum. Failure to participate in assessment testing will result in a grade of F for the course.
Click here for sample MFT in English questions.
POLICY MATTERS
Please arrive on time, and be prepared to listen, think, and contribute. Please turn off wireless phones, pagers, headphones, molecular phase inverters, and other electronic devices that might disrupt class. Please treat other students and your instructor in a civil and respectful manner. Note that classroom disruption is a violation of Longwood University's honor code.The Longwood University attendance policy in the 2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog will be the attendance policy for this course. You will receive an F on work missed because of unexcused absences. Your grade will be lowered by one letter grade if you miss 10 percent of the scheduled class meeting times for unexcused absences. You will receive an F if you miss a total (excused and unexcused) of 25 percent of the scheduled class meeting times. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain notes from a classmate (as well as announcements about syllabus changes or other matters). Exams can be made up only under the most grave circumstances, and with documentation from an MD or a Longwood University official. If you foresee a conflict, I expect you to discuss it with me beforehand. Written assignments handed in late will lose one letter grade for each class day late. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of intellectual dishonesty will result in an F for the course and referral to the Longwood University Judicial system. For details on Longwood University's honor code and judicial system, direct your web browser to: http://www.longwood.edu/judicial.
Note: the syllabus may be changed at any time if necessary, though I'll try to give you as much advance notice as possible. Please check the web page regularly for updates. In case of inclement weather, please continue with the scheduled assignments and consult the web pages for announcements.
Please read the Course Plagiarism Policy and take this Plagiarism Self Assessment until you get 100% of the answers correct. Then e-mail the instructor, and indicate that you have read the Course Plagiarism Policy and have taken the Plagiarism Self Assessment.