Course Syllabus

The Course:

This course will focus primarily on analyzing and interpreting literary texts for the purpose of writing about them. Our focus for the semester will be discussion of the complex and often erroneous processes of thinking that take place in our minds. You will be encouraged to think openly, beyond the boundaries of the field of literature, and to explore materials in other fields, such as philosophy, history, and theology; this has been traditionally termed "history of ideas." We will do a good deal of reading and writing–mostly essays which analyze your reading–and we'll look at some film, including a recent production of Death of a Salesman, starring Dustin Hoffman. Since the chief purpose of a college education is to acquire the ability to analyze, we will spend a good deal of time reading texts, some more difficult than others, and then explore issues raised in discussion in the written essay. We will also go over the development and writing of a research paper based on some of the materials we discuss. This will include intensive training in using the library and learning how to do research.

Attendance:

Students are expected to attend class regularly. Your final grade is in danger of falling one full grade for every three classes you miss. If you miss more than nine classes, you will fail the course. Lateness will have a similar effect. If you are sick or have an emergency which forces you to miss more than two consecutive classes, call the Office of Student Affairs and let them know. This way, they will contact all of your instructors, and you might not be held accountable for those absences. Don't disappear for two weeks and then reappear, expecting everything to be all right.

Grades:

a)Four out-of-class essays (first two essays are 4-6 pages; second two are 5-7 pages)

b)Four in-class reading quizzes, unannounced; the lowest of the four will be dropped at the end of the semester; missed quizzes cannot be made up

c)One library assignment

d)One longer paper (8-12 pages, using at least 3 secondary sources)

e)Final Exam

For those who like to know this type of information, a=40% b=10% c=10%, d=20%, e=20%. All of these numbers are, of course, approximate.

N.B. Papers must be handed in on time. Papers handed in late will receive a one grade deduction for each class late.

Texts:

All are available in the Black Hills State bookstore. Every effort has been made to keep text costs down.

James Morrow, City of Truth (HB)

Saul Bellow, Seize the Day (Penguin)

Jay McInerney, Bright Lights, Big City (Vintage)

Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman (Dramatists Play Service)

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Collected Novellas (Harper)

Diana Hacker, Writer's Reference (if you already own The Little Brown Handbook, you need not buy Hacker's book)

A good college dictionary.

E-mail and the Internet:

As a Black Hills student you are entitled to an e-mail account. You should have an account for class. I can always be reached by e-mail. My e-mail address is listed at the top of this sheet. Do not abuse this! I don't want e-mail excuses, i.e., missed classes, late papers. But please do use e-mail to ask questions or set up appointments, etc. A World Wide Web page for this course can be found at http://www.bhsu.edu/dsalomon/en102/fall2000/home.html

Special Accommodation:

Reasonable accommodations, as arranged with the disabilities coordinator, will be provided for students with documented disabilities. Please contact the BHSU Disabilities Services Coordinator at 642-6099.

Grading Guidelines:

If you are enrolled in the course to get a grade, drop now. College is about more than grades. Unfortunately, grades are a necessary evil. Your work will be graded on a scale from A to F with pluses minuses. Although BHSU does not use pluses and minuses in semester grades, I believe they are helpful in evaluation throughout the semester. If, at the end of the semester, your grade is teetering between two grades, attendance and class participation become important factors.

A range: The work is extraordinary. It has said something different or is conceived in an interesting and unusual way. If written, the paper is virtually free of errors in writing or fact. Conventionally, an "A" means the work is perfect.

B range: The work is above average. It presents the material more than competently and, if written, is well-written and well-organized.

C range: The work is average. If written, it might have some problems in writing or conception. Organizational problems may also be present as may some misunderstandings of the texts or topics.

D range: The work is below average. If written, it probably has serious problems in writing and organization. It might show severe misunderstandings of the texts or topics.

F: The work is failing. If written, it probably has severe problems in writing and shows little or no understanding of the texts or topics. Note: a grade of F is an earned grade and will not be awarded if work is not submitted or completed (that type of performance "earns" a 0).