Fall 2011English 105-13
Syllabus and Schedule
Instructor: Lavina M. Ensor
Email: lmensor@uncg.edu
TR 12:30-1:45
MHRA 2209
Office: MHRA 3112F
Hours: T 2-3; R 2-3, and by
appointment
Welcome to English 105, Introduction to Narrative. In this course we will seek to understand better what
narrative is and how it shapes and impacts our daily experiences. To this end, we will think about the social,
cultural, political and personal value of narrative in our daily lives. We will discuss who qualifies as a
“narrator” and if/how/to what extent the audience, or reader, plays a role in determining the outcome of any
narrative. We will focus on breaking down different narrative structures in order to understand what makes
them “work” and why while also concentrating on how the formal elements of narrative change across different
mediums.
Student Learning Goals:
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
 Identify and understand varied characteristics of literature;
 Apply techniques of literary analysis to texts;
 Use literary study to develop skills in careful reading and clear writing;
 Demonstrate understanding of the diverse social and historical contexts in which literary texts have been
written and interpreted.
Attendance Policy:
Students in MWF classes are allowed a maximum of three absences without a grade penalty (to be defined by
the individual instructor); students in TR classes are allowed two absences without such penalty. Students who
miss six classes on a MWF schedule, or four classes on a TR schedule, will fail the course. Attendance at the
final exam session (see above) is required.
Students are by state law allowed two excused absences due to religious holidays. These absences do not count
toward the total maximums allowed above. If a student plans to miss class due to a religious holiday, he or she
must notify the instructor at least 48 hours prior to the absence.
Required Texts:
Abbott, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge UP. 2008. Print.
Access to Blackboard
Quizzes:
Students will complete weekly quizzes on Blackboard before 9 a.m. each Friday. Quizzes will cover the
readings as well as class discussions.
Late Work
Students may not make up quizzes for any reason. Any make up midterm or final exams must be formerly
negotiated with instructor before test date and will not be granted lightly.**In order to pass this class,
students must complete and submit all assignments**
Laptops
Laptops may be used in class only to take notes pertaining to our class. Any student who uses a laptop for any
non-classroom activity during class time will not be allowed to use a laptop in class again. To be perfectly clear:
one violation means no laptop use.
**Talking, texting, web surfing, or playing games on cellular phones is never, ever allowed. Turn phones
off or set them to silent before class. DO NOT MERELY PLACE ON VIBRATE: I DON’T WANT TO
HEAR THEM. If a student makes a habit of accessing her/his cell phone during class, s/he will simply be
asked to leave, forfeiting attendance and participation points for that day.
Grading
A=90-100
on down
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=59
Final grades will factor accordingly:
Weekly quizzes: 25%
Midterm: 35%
Final: 40%
Academic Honesty
“Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness,
respect, and responsibility. Violations include, for example, cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic resources,
falsification, and facilitating academic dishonesty. If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated, it must
be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations are incompatible with the
fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be tolerated” (from UNCG’s Academic Integrity
Policy). To ensure that you understand the university’s policy on academic integrity, review the guidelines and
list of violations at <http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu>. I expect you to abide by the Academic Integrity Policy.
Disability Services:
Students with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me about accommodations as soon as
possible. If you believe you could benefit from such accommodations, you must first register with the Office of
Disability Services on campus before such accommodations can be made. The office is located on the second
floor of the Elliott University Center (EUC) in Suite 215, and the office is open 8am to 5pm, Monday - Friday.
Telephone: 334-5440; e-mail: ods@uncg.edu.
The Writing Center:
The purpose of the Writing Center is to enhance the confidence and competence of student writers by providing
free, individual assistance at any stage of any writing project. Staff consultants are experienced writers and alert
readers, prepared to offer feedback and suggestions on drafts of papers, help students find answers to their
questions about writing, and provide one-on-one instruction as needed. Located in the Moore Humanities and
Research Building, room 3211.
(Schedule is subject to change)
Week 1
8/23
8/25
Readings
Intros; syllabus
Abbott Chs 1 & 2
Week 2
8/30
Abbott Ch 3; BB: John Updike, “A & P”
9/1
Week 3
9/6
BB: Charlotte Perkins Gilman, “The Yellow Wallpaper”
9/8
Week 4
9/13
9/15
Week 5
9/20
9/22
Week 6
9/27
9/29
Week 7
10/4
10/6
Week 8
10/11
10/13
BB: Ernest Hemingway, “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”; “Hills Like White Elephants”
Week 9
10/18
10/20
Week 10
10/25
10/27
Week 11
11/1
11/3
Week 12
11/8
11/10
Week 13
11/15
11/17
Week 14
11/22
11/24
Week 15
11/29
12/1
Week 16
Abbott Ch. 5; BB: Kate Chopin, “The Story of an Hour,” Langston Hughes, “Salvation”
Abbott, Ch. 7; BTVS
BB: Edward Albee, “The Zoo Story”
Abbott Ch. 8; BB: BB: Franz Kafka “The Metamorphosis”
BB: James Baldwin “Sonny’s Blues”
BB: Kate Chopin “The Storm”; Eudora Welty “Why I Live at the P.O.”
BB: Zora Neal Hurston, “Sweat”
Midterm Prep/Review
Midterm!!
Abbott, Ch. 9; BB: Stephen King, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption pp. 15-48
“ pp. 48-84
Readings
“ the end; review Abbott Ch. 9
The Shawshank Redemption
The Shawshank Redemption
Shawshank
BB: Flannery O’Connor, “A Good Man is Hard to Find”
Dexter pilot
Abbott Ch. 10; FNL pilot
BB: Raymond Carver, “What We Talk about When We Talk about Love”
Abbott, Ch. 11; BB: Frederick Douglass, “Narrative of the Life of an American Slave”
Mad Men
Abbott Ch. 14; personal narrative selection
Personal selections
Class evals
Final exam prep
Thanks all and take care! 