Heartland Community College
Humanities & Fine Arts
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number:
ENGL 255-01
Course Title: Women in Literature
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: Tuesdays 6:00 – 8:50 pm in ICN 1001
Catalog Description:
Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 101 is strongly
recommended. Discussion and analysis of literature by and about women. The course
will look at both canonical and non-canonical authors.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name:
Phone number to contact instructor:
Instructor e-mail address, if one:
Location of instructor’s office:
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours:
Dr. Amy T. Munson
309-268-8633
amy.munson@heartland.edu
ICN 2027
MWF 10:00 – 11:00 am
M
12:00 – 1:00 pm
T
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Required Textbooks:
1. Women’s Worlds. Eds. Robyn Warhol-Down, Diane Price Herndle, et al. McGraw-Hill.
(On Reserve in the library for first two weeks)
2. Writing about Literature: A Portable Guide 2nd Edition. Janet E. Gardner. McGrawHill. (On Reserve in the library for first two weeks)
3. The Red Tent. Anita Diamant. Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer: (Indicate if course is
General Education/IAI)
ENGL 255 fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required
for the A.A. or A.S. degree. It satisfies the Humanities component of this requirement.
ENGL 255 should transfer to other Illinois colleges and universities as the equivalent of
the General Education Core Curriculum course H3 911D, described in the Illinois
Articulation Initiative. However, students should consult an academic advisor for
transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for
information as well at www.itransfer.org
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
After completing this course students should be able to:
Describe the historical progression of women's writing in various geographical regions
(D3).
Read and "understand" women's writing from various genres--drama, fiction, non-fiction,
poetry and prose (P5).
Analyze women's writing by identifying formal characteristics (D5).
Present an interpretation of various selections of women's writing (C1).
Conduct class discussions in an interesting and thoughtful manner (P7).
Course/Lab Outlines: (This is a general idea of what may be covered in a given semester.
Please see the course schedule for a more accurate overview of content.)
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Introduction to the course and feminist theory
Western Women Writers
Western Women Writers
Western Women Writers
African Women Writers
African Women Writers
*Issues in popular culture--feminist critique and the politics of domestic violence
Week 7: Asian Women Writers
Week 8: Asian Women Writers
Week 9: Asian Women Writers
Week 10: Middle Eastern Women Writers
Week 11: Middle Eastern Women Writers
*Issues in popular culture--feminist critique and the politics of rape
Week 12: Middle Eastern Women Writers
Week 13: Latin American Women Writers
Week 14: Women's writing as cultural critique
Week 15: Student presentation on final projects
Week 16: Student presentation on final projects
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
You will be required to read--very carefully, and preferably more than once--the pieces assigned
for each class period. You will also be required to lead discussions periodically.
Class presentations:
Participation:
Position papers:
Minor papers:
Major Paper:
15%
15%
20%
25%
25%
Grades will be determined according to the following scale:
92 - 100% = A
83 - 91% = B
74 - 82% = C
65 - 73% = D
below 65% = F
Grading Policy
Tentative Points for the Course (subject to change – changes will be announced in class):
Course grades will be a compilation of scores based on the following:
Weekly Argument Papers (2 pages each):
Weekly Participation:
Literary Analysis Papers (5 pages each)
Exams:
Quizzes TBD
Author Presentation:
10 completed - 10 pts each (100 total)
10 points per week (150 total)
3 completed - 100 pts each (300 total)
3 completed - 100 pts each (300 total)
50 points
Total Points for the semester (unless quizzes are added):
900 points
Class Participation:
Participation in class activities and discussions is required and will impact your ability to receive full
credit on many assignments. Listening actively to presentations, discussion and lecture is a form of
participation. During discussions, listening and sharing your view point are forms of participation.
Asking useful questions is a form of participation. Regular attendance is expected. Missing more
than one class session will likely lower your grade in the course. Missing more than two week’s
worth of class may result in your being dropped from the course.
Incompletes: The official college policy, from the college catalog is:
An incomplete grade may be given to a student who, by the withdrawal date, can reasonably be
expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted only when justified by extreme
circumstances (e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate family).
Incomplete grades are not given for such reasons as unjustified failure to appear for the final
examination. A written agreement, outline the requirements to be met, must be signed by the
instructor and the student. The agreed upon requirements must be completed no later than the
end of the following semester (spring semester for incompletes granted during the fall, and the
following fall for incompletes given during the spring and summer semesters). By the agreed
upon date, the instructor will assign a grade or the incomplete will be changed to an ‘F’ if the
requirements are not completed.
Extra Credit: If any extra credit opportunities are given, they will be offered to the whole class.
I do not arrange extra credit for individual students.
Make-up of tests and assignments: Any assignments started during the class in which you are
absent are due when everyone else’s is. Therefore, talk to me about planned absences in advance
and call or email me as soon as possible if you miss a class.
Deadlines: Late work is not accepted without prior arrangements having been made.
Each student will be given one “free pass” to be used as they like for Weekly Papers or other
class work. If you chose to use this pass, you may submit one of these assignments late and still
receive full credit. You must tell me you are using your pass when you submit the late work so I
can record the appropriate grade. The pass cannot be used for exams or presentations.

I will return all work one week after the submission date unless otherwise announced.
Required Writing and Reading:
There will be 12-15 pages of formal writing and additional informal writings. The readings will
consist of poems, short stories, plays, and a novel. There may also be student presentations in
addition to major exams and multiple unit quizzes. Please see additional documents for
individual assignment descriptions.
Students should expect to complete approximately 4-6 hours of reading per week.
Student Conduct:
 Responsible adult behavior is expected; anything less is not acceptable and could result in
dismissal from the course. Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to; racist,
sexist language or behavior, chronic tardiness, or acting on prejudices in any kind of
hateful way. Because the course centers on peer cooperation, all members of the
community must feel that they have an equal right to speak and all voices are welcome if
presented in a mature and responsible manner.
 You are expected to be ready to begin class on time. If you expect to be late or must
leave early on a given day, let me know ahead of time so as to be less disruptive to the
rest of the class. If you arrive or leave during class activities, do so quietly and
thoughtfully.
 Remember to turn off cell phones and pagers before class begins. Speak to me before
class if you are expecting an emergency call.
 Texting is not permitted during lecture, class discussion or presentations. There may be
some workshop time where texting will be allowed – these times will be announced in
class.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College and is essential to
the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because grading may be competitive, students who
misrepresent their academic work violate the right of their fellow students. The College, therefore, views any act of
academic dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary measures, including course failure, suspension, and
even expulsion from the College. In addition, an act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond
any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning cheating or
other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification of academic records or
documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems. Definitions of
these violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper, create a project, do a
presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work, except for that which is attributed to another
author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense and may take the following
forms:
1
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
2
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
3
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own.
4
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source.
5
Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it were your own.
6
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if it were your
own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
The penalties for plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work, failure in
the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases. [Adapted from the Modem Language Association’s MLA
Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
Support Services:
Heartland Library Information
The Library, located in the Students Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus, provides Heartland students
with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases, videos, newspapers, periodicals, reserves,
and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist in locating information.
For more information please call the Library (309) 268-8200 or (309) 268-8292
Tutoring Center
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost to
Heartland students at the Academic Support Center (ASC) in Normal and at the Pontiac
and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are available at convenient times throughout the week.
Study groups, group tutoring facilitated by a specially-trained tutor, are also available by
request. For more information about services available at each location, please call the
ASC in Normal (309) 268-8231; the Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777; the Lincoln Center
(217) 735-1731.
Testing Center
The Testing Center provides a quiet environment for students to complete make-up exams, online exams, and exams
for students with special accommodations. Students may be able to complete exams in the Testing Center if
arrangements are made with their instructor. For more information, contact the Testing Center at (309) 268-8231.
College Calendar
Oct 5, 2010 ......... Priority Enrollment Begins for Current Students
Oct 6, 2010 ......... Open Enrollment Begins
Jan 2 ................... Open Enrollment Ends
Jan 3-7 ................ Late Enrollment and Schedule Adjustments
Jan 10 ................. Classes Begin for 16-Week and 1st 8-Week Sessions
Jan 14 ................. Final Day to Drop with Refund for 1st 8-Week Session
Jan 17 ................. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (College Closed)
Jan 24 ................. Final Day to Drop with Refund for 16-Week Session
............................ Classes Begin for 12-Week Session
Feb 1 ................... Final Day to Drop with Refund for 12-Week Session
Feb 9 ................... Midterm Grade Rosters due by Midnight for 1st 8-Week Session
Feb 24 ................. Final Day to Withdraw for 1st 8-Week Session
Mar 4 ................... Classes End for 1st 8-Week Session
............................ Final Exams for 1st 8-Week Session are scheduled on Last Day of Class
Mar 7-12 .............. Spring Break
Mar 14 ................. Classes Begin for 2nd 8-Week Session
............................ Midterm Grade Rosters due by Midnight for 16-Week and 12-Week Sessions
............................ Final Grade Rosters due by Midnight for 1st 8-Week Session
Mar 18 ................. Final Day to Drop with Refund for 2nd 8-Week Session
Apr 1 ................... Final Day to Withdraw for 12-Week Session
Apr 7 ................... Final Day to Withdraw for 16-Week Session
Apr 12 ................. Midterm Grade Rosters due by Midnight for 2nd 8-Week Session
Apr 20 ................. Final Day to Withdraw for 2nd 8-Week Session
Apr 22 ................. Classes End for 12-Week Session
Apr 25-27 ............ Final Exam Week for 12-Week Session
May 2 .................. Final Grade Rosters due by Midnight for 12-Week Session
May 4 .................. Classes End for 16-Week and 2nd 8-Week Sessions
May 5 .................. Optional Review Day – Clinical Course Classes Meet
May 6-12 ............. Final Exam Week for 16-Week and 2nd 8-Week Sessions
May 13 ................ Commencement
May 17 ................ Final Grade Rosters due by Midnight for 16-Week and 2nd 8-Week Sessions
Syllabi disclaimer: I reserve the right to change any of these policies included in the course
syllabi due to college closings, severe weather, class progress, incorrect statements in this
document, and unexpected demands on the instructor. However, any changes made will be
discussed in class and made with adequate notice.
Course Calendar (see individual unit schedules for complete reading lists):
Week/Date
One: 1/11
In-Class
1. Introduction to the
course
2. Introduction to the
field of Women’s
Studies
3. How to use the texts
Context Reading
 p. 1-15 WL
 p. xli – xlvi
WW
 p. 3-22 WW
Two: 1/18
14th-17th century
Historical Contexts


Three: 1/25
14th-17th century




p. 143—145
WL
p. 16-42 WL
p. 147-148
WL
p. 43-44 WL
p. 221-238
WW
p. 92-109
WL
Text Reading
 p. 111-112
 p. 113 Elizabeth
Cavendish Egerton
 p. 114, 116
Katherine Fowler
Philips “On the
Death of My First
and Dearest Child”
 p. 119-125
 p.87-89, 91-93
Anne Bradstreet:
“The Author to Her
Book,” “Before the
Birth of One of Her
Children,” “In
Memory of My
Dear Grandchild”
 p. 97-100 Lady
Anne Halkett
 p. 103-110 Mary
Boyle Rich
 p. 215-219 Jane
Sharp’s The
Midwives Book
Writing/Other
1. Response Paper
One
1.
Response Paper
Two
1.
Response Paper
Three
Four: 2/1
18th century
Historical Contexts
p. 145-146 in
WL
p. 44-47 in WL
p. 82-91 in WL
1.
Response Paper
Four
Five: 2/8
18th century
p. 146-147 in
WL
p. 47-51 in WL
p. 451-476 in
WW
1.
Response Paper
Five
Six: 2/15
Exam One
19th century
Historical Contexts
p. 148-149 in
WL
p. 51-54 in WL
p. 57-81 in WL
1.
Response Paper
Six
Seven: 2/22
NADE?
Film?
p. 149-150 in
WL
p. 54-56 in WL
p. 110-142 in
WL
1.
Response Paper
Seven
Complete Project
One for
submission.
2.
Nine: 3/8
19th century
Background for Unit Two:
Red Tent
Spring Break
Ten: 3/15
Red Tent
p.167-247 in Red Tent
Eleven: 3/22
Red Tent
p.247-321in Red Tent
Twelve: 3/29
Red Tent
Background for Unit Three
Exam Two
20th century non-western
20th century non-western
Eight: 3/1
Thirteen: 4/5
Fourteen:
4/12
Fifteen: 4/19
20th century western
Sixteen: 4/26
20th century western
Seventeen:
5/3
Eighteen:
5/10
21st century
Exam Three
p. 150-151 in
WL
p.1-166 in Red Tent
1. Response Paper
Eight
1. Response Paper
Nine
1. Response Paper
Ten
1. Response Paper
Eleven
1. Response Paper
Twelve
1. Response Paper
Thirteen
1. Response Paper
Fourteen
1. Response Paper
Fifteen
2. Complete Project
Two for
submission.
1. Response Paper
Sixteen
p. 151-152 in
WL
p. 1181-1211